OPEN POSITIONS

• Executive Director
  The University of Nebraska seeks a visionary leader to serve as Executive Director (chief executive) of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. Established in 2011 with a gift from philanthropist Susie Buffett, the Buffett Early Childhood Institute has, in the last decade, grown to become a world leader in early childhood education. The Institute fulfills its mission of applied research, practice, policy, and outreach through its work with school districts and superintendents to close the opportunity gap in the Greater Omaha region, through its focus on supporting effective early childhood practices and policies in child care homes and centers and in schools, and through its efforts to ensure a high-quality early childhood workforce across the state of Nebraska. The Institute is part of the University of Nebraska system and works across all four campuses of the system. 
  
  Reporting to the President of the University through the Executive Vice President/Provost, the Executive Director of the Institute provides strategic direction and oversight for Institute staff, programs, and collaborations with the four campuses of the university, the education and child care community in the state of Nebraska, the nation, and the world. The Executive Director is the chief executive of the Institute with the primary charge to continue to build the reputation and work of the Institute as a state and national leader in the early childhood education community through an integrated program of early childhood research and scholarship, innovative practice and professional development, and outreach and policy. The Executive Director oversees a team of associate executive directors and directors responsible for each of the Institute's primary divisions of research, education, professional development, and outreach/policy and a total staff of 70 individuals.
  
  The University seeks a leader with expertise in early childhood education, child development, or other child-related field with some applied background. The Executive Director will bring outstanding credentials that warrant a senior faculty appointment with tenure in a department on one or more of the University of Nebraska campuses together with appointment as the Richard D. Holland Presidential Chair in Early Childhood Development. The successful candidate will have an earned doctorate in a relevant discipline or appropriate terminal degree; passion for the success and well-being of children and their families; a track record of successful fundraising and development of external partnerships; outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; collaborative and creative energy in working with faculty, staff, students, and community partners; entrepreneurial ambition; and a commitment to high-quality research with practical applications that are accessible to communities locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Family and Community Program Administrator
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Family and Community Program Administrator. The Family and Community Program Administrator for the Program Development team is a critical role that assists in facilitating local initiatives that highlight the goals of increasing opportunities to learn and building capacity for comprehensive, systemic approaches to early childhood education and services for children birth to third grade. The administrator will work closely with the Director and Associate Director of Program Development to collaborate with school district personnel and local community agencies in the Omaha metro area on innovative strategies that strengthen early childhood leadership. This position will also strive to build networks of partners, streamlined resources, support for families, and technical assistance to foster strategic early childhood planning and systems development. Requirements for the position include a master’s degree and five years of experience collaborating with a variety of community agencies that focus on children and families including district- and school-level administration and leadership.
• Project Manager
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Project Manager with the Program Development team. The Project Manager is responsible for planning, managing, monitoring, and reporting on Institute initiatives, projects, and grants. The role will include interactions and collaborations with various stakeholders, both internal and external to the Buffett Institute. Requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree that provides a solid foundation for managing multiple projects and grants; three years of project management experience; strong verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail; and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Program Specialist
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Program Specialist with the Program Development team. The role of a Program Specialist is to build community, district, and school capacity through evidence-based practices working directly with parents, districts, and school-level and community-based leaders to strengthen care and learning opportunities of children from birth to third grade. Note: This is a full-time or part-time employment opportunity. Program Specialists are recruited based on having an expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate pedagogy for birth to third grade 
  • Out-of-School Time (OST) alignment to student learning goals 
  • Research and data analysis focused on continuous improvement for birth to third grade
  • Child care partnerships/effective transition practices
  • Community/parent partnerships to support birth to third grade success
  Requirements for the position include a bachelor’s degree in fields related to early childhood education and elementary education and/or certified in elementary teaching with early childhood education certificate or endorsement; and five years’ experience working with staff/families/children with diverse perspectives (racially, culturally, and linguistically). 
• Professional Learning Specialist
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Professional Learning Specialist. Reporting to the Director of Professional Learning, this individual will support the organization, logistical planning, and implementation of professional learning initiatives as part of the Superintendents' Early Childhood Plan, including Professional Development for All. This includes planning virtual and in-person events, coordinating expert presenters, collaborating with internal and external partners, and facilitating engaging learning experiences for early childhood professionals. Requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree in fields related to early childhood education, elementary education, or child development and five years of experience in working with children from birth through age 8 and their families in child care, private- or public-school settings; facilitating professional learning experiences for early childhood professionals; demonstrated success working in settings that are racially, culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse; logistical planning, organizing, and/or project management; and proficiency with using Office 365, Zoom, and/or related technology tools to support planning and facilitation of professional learning experiences.
• Administrative Associate
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Administrative Associate. The Administrative Associate is responsible for providing administrative support for the Institute, with specific support responsibilities provided to executive leadership comprising the Executive Director, the Associate Executive Director for Strategy and External Affairs, and the Associate Executive Director for Operations. The position works collaboratively, providing essential coordination for Institute staff, others across the University of Nebraska system, and key stakeholders and partners throughout the state. Requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree with five years of progressive administrative support experience; demonstrated knowledge of office management; proficiency in MS Office applications and other business solutions that support the needs of senior-level administrators; and demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail.
• Office Associate for Program Development
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Office Associate. This position is responsible for providing administrative support for the Buffett Institute, with specific support to the Program Development unit. Requirements for the position include a high school diploma; 4 to 6 years of administrative office experience; demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); and demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail.  
• Office Associate for Research and Evaluation
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Office Associate. This position is responsible for providing administrative support for the Institute, with specific support to the Research and Evaluation unit. Requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree with two years of progressive administrative office experience demonstrating significant responsibility; knowledge of office management and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); excellent written and oral communication skills with attention to detail; and experience in web/internet research and navigation.
• Financial Specialist
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Financial Specialist. The Financial Specialist, under the direction of the Institute's Financial Manager, is responsible for collecting financial information, tracking expenses, and solving accounting issues for all Institute funds including gifts, contracts, state funds, and grants. Requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree and three years of fund accounting experience; computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office suite: World, Excel, and Outlook; and demonstrated attention to detail and excellent communication skills.