Current open positions include:

• Digital Communications Specialist
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Digital Communications Specialist. This position reports to the Managing Editor and is responsible for leading the Institute’s efforts on social media. The person hired for this position will write stories and help produce research-backed content for the Institute’s digital channels, including a soon-to-be launched early childhood education news source. The person hired will also lead digital strategy on the best use of the Institute’s current social media, tracking current trends, expanding channels as needed, and then reporting analysis of social media efforts as the Institute grows its audience. This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and working well under pressure with strict deadlines and the ability to juggle tasks in a busy, deadline-oriented environment. Requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree; three years of experience producing content for print, digital, or social media platforms; demonstrated success in managing and executing social media strategies; and mastery of digital analytics, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), content creation, and structuring content on multiple platforms.


• Public Outreach Communications Specialist
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applicants from qualified individuals for the position of Public Outreach Communications Specialist. The position reports to the Director of Communications and Marketing and will play an important role in helping build public support for high-quality early childhood care and education in Nebraska and beyond. This individual will assist with the development and execution of public outreach and education initiatives, communications research, media relations, partner and agency liaison, special events, and project coordination. This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and working well under pressure with strict deadlines and the ability to juggle tasks in a busy, deadline-oriented environment. Requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree; five years of professional experience in communications, journalism, marketing, or related fields; demonstrated success in managing and executing communications strategies; demonstrated media relations experience; excellent writing abilities; and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across an organization.


• Communications Specialist - Preschool Development Grant
  The Buffett Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Preschool Development Grant Communications Specialist. This position reports to the Associate Director of Communications and Marketing and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of communications deliverables associated with Nebraska’s Birth-5 Preschool Development Grant (PDG). The Preschool Development Grant is a three-year federal award to support an early care and education system in Nebraska that gives equitable access to high-quality programs for all children and families. This position will support communications related needs for grant activities housed at the Buffett Institute and will include the identification, development, and execution of communication strategies to support program aims; project management and coordination of cross-functional teams; writing; copyediting; and events support.  This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and working well under pressure with strict deadlines and the ability to juggle tasks in a busy, deadline-oriented environment. Requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree; five years of professional experience in communications, journalism, marketing or related field; excellent writing abilities; demonstrated success in managing and executing communications strategies; project management experience; and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across an organization.


• Marketing CRM System Manager
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applicants from qualified individuals for the position of Marketing CRM System Manager. This position reports to the Associate Director of Communications and Marketing and is responsible for the implementation and management of the Institute’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. This position is also responsible for tracking analytics across marketing channels, identifying strategic opportunities for further engagement, and building the network of contacts. This person builds resources and communications intelligence in support of communications and marketing strategies that will be used by all units within the Institute. This person will also serve as an additional writer and copyeditor for Institute materials, articles, and publications. Requirements for the position include a bachelor’s degree; five years of experience; experience with and/or knowledge of Customer Relationship and Content Management tools and software; proven experience with copywriting (may be asked to submit writing samples); demonstrated success in managing and executing communications strategies; demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across an organization; and demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Project Manager (two positions)
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Project Manager to plan, manage, monitor, and report on Preschool Development Grant projects and activities. This grant, subject to availability of federal funds for three years, supports the alignment of Nebraska’s early care and education system with a priority on providing equitable access to quality programs for all children and families. 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; ability to integrate and synthesize information; strong organizational skills, initiative, good follow-through, ability to work and solve problems with minimal supervision; good verbal and written communication skills; strong meeting planning and facilitation skills and experience; and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook.


•  Research Specialist 
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Research Specialist. The Research Specialist will support research activities associated with the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) and the activities of the Institute strategic plan. Responsibilities will include research and evaluation planning, data collection, data management, analyses, and writing. The PDG is a three-year award (subject to availability of federal funds) to implement projects that support alignment of Nebraska’s early care and education system with a priority on providing equitable access to quality programs for all children and families. The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with oversight by Nebraska DHHS and other state partners. Requirements for the position include a master’s degree in education, psychology, research methodology, or a related discipline that included advanced coursework in research methods and statistics; PLUS four years related research work experience; experience in using data analysis software such as SAS, SPSS, R, STATA, NVivo, Atlas TI; knowledge of advanced quantitative methods (e.g., multi-level models, HLM, SEM); and training and/or experience with qualitative methods. 


•  Educational Facilitator for Preschool-Grade 3
  The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Educational Facilitator for Birth-Grade 3. 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 leadership for preschool – third grade teacher professional development, including teacher and child care provider consultation and coaching. Funding is available from a taxing authority in the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties.  A bachelor’s degree in fields related to early childhood education and elementary education is required, along with experience as an instructional coach for teachers at the preschool – third grade levels and/or experience in designing and delivering professional development.