Current open positions include:
- Director of Program Development
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from highly qualified individuals for the position of Director of Program Development. This dynamic individual will conceptualize and lead systemic approaches to reducing achievement and opportunity gaps in early learning and education settings, birth through Grade 3, blending a working knowledge of applied research, high-quality practices, and effective family engagement strategies to improve school, community, and child outcomes. The Director reports to the Executive Director of the Institute and works closely with the other Institute directors, particularly Research and Evaluation and Early Childhood Workforce Development. The goal of the Program Development unit is to support programs and activities that reduce or eliminate income- and race/ethnicity-based disparities in opportunity and social, cognitive, and academic outcomes among young children. Program Development works very closely with other units of the Institute, including the Institute Community Chairs, Communications and Marketing, as well as faculty and staff from the four University of Nebraska campuses. The Program Development area, which includes an associate director and program administrator, currently has 14 staff at the Institute, many of whom work primarily in the field, and has a budget in excess of $2 million/year derived from Institute endowment, private gifts, and public sources. These personnel and funds support the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan, the largest birth – Grade 3 demonstration program in the nation.
- Business Operations Project Specialist
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Business Operations Project Specialist. The specialist, under the supervision of the Associate Executive Director for Operations, will coordinate and manage the general human resource, facilities, and project management business functions for the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.
- Database Specialist
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Database Specialist. The specialist is a part-time position responsible for maintaining and modifying the database associated with implementation of the School as Hub for Birth through the Elementary Years Approach. This database is a customized version of the ChildPlus database system and is designed to support documentation, continuous improvement, and evaluation of work conducted in association with the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan for the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties. The Program Administrator within the Program Development Unit will supervise this position.
- Implementation Research Specialist
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Implementation Research Specialist. The specialist will work closely with Institute directors, a strategic planning consultant, grant partners, and community stakeholders to coordinate internal and external grant activities. This position will support projects to enhance the development of Nebraska early childhood systems. The work requires knowledge and/or experience in systems change, implementation science methods, and early childhood systems. The incumbent also must demonstrate proficiency with database management and analysis software. This position is currently grant funded through 12/2019, with potential for extension or future permanency.
- Preschool – Third Grade Educational Facilitator
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Preschool – Third Grade Educational Facilitator: Metro Omaha Superintendents' Early Childhood Plan. The educational facilitator will assist the Buffett Institute and school staff in implementing the preschool – third grade component of a comprehensive initiative to eliminate or reduce income-based social, cognitive, and achievement gaps among young children at risk in the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties. The initiative relies on a birth – third grade approach in which schools serve as a hub for connecting all early childhood services to provide high-quality continuous programming across the first eight years of life. The preschool – third grade educational facilitators will work on-site at participating schools. Their role will emphasize instructional support for preschool – third grade teachers, including teacher coaching.
- Buffett Institute Endowed Community Professorships
The Buffett Institute is establishing four endowed community professorships on the NU campuses. Each professorship focuses on different aspects of early childhood development and reflects the interdisciplinary commitment of the Buffett Institute, a four-campus, university-wide research, practice, outreach, and policy institute. The individual who holds this title is campus-based (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha, and Medical Center), reporting to the chair of his or her home academic unit. Additionally, the holder of the endowed professorship will commit one-quarter of his/her professional effort to working with the Buffett Institute during the academic year. The position at UNMC has been filled. Other position descriptions are posted on campus websites, or will be posted during the 2017-18 academic year.