University of Nebraska System

Job Summary:

The role of an Early Childhood Specialist is to support and advance Institute projects by collaborating with families, early childhood educators, district and school leaders, community-based organizations, local, state and federal government and other stakeholders to strengthen care and learning opportunities of children birth to third grade.

Additional Info

About Us:

Envisioned as a new model for how public higher education is engaged in the first years of life, the Buffett Early Childhood Institute (https://buffettinstitute.nebraska.edu)is a four-campus, university-wide, multidisciplinary research, education, outreach, and policy institute of the University of Nebraska committed to helping transform early childhood development and education in Nebraska and across the nation. A long-term goal of the Institute is to be a leading center where scholars, practitioners, community members, and policymakers collaborate to advance a unified approach that can improve the lives of young children and families and the systems that support them.

Applicants should note that the goals of the Institute are university-, state-, and nation-wide, but the location of the Institute administration is in Omaha. This position will work primarily out of the Omaha office.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience in one or more of the following:

• Developmentally appropriate pedagogy for birth to third grade
• Research and data analysis focused on birth through third grade
• Child care partnerships, including transition practices
• Family and community partnerships focused on birth through grade three learning and development
• Teaching and/or leading in child care or elementary school settings

Required Knowlege, Skills, Abilities:

• Demonstrated proficiency in verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work with various stakeholders
• Knowledge and insights to design, implement, and sustainable professional learning

Equivalent combination of education, experience, that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree
College coursework in early childhood education or elementary education

Type of Preferred Experience:

• Experience with coaching a professional community of adult learners that directly affected instructional practices.
• Demonstrated experience working in birth through grade three settings

Preferred License/Certification:

Certified in elementary teaching with an early childhood education certificate or an endorsement

Preferred Knowlege, Skills, Abilities:

Bilingual (Oral and Written)

Ideal candidates will demonstrate and model a passion for early childhood reform and leadership; excellent independent judgement and analytical skills; strong interpersonal skills; a track record of timely completion of projects and the ability to responsibly manage competing priorities; success in collaboration with distributed resources and/or project teams; and commitment to the quality, continuity, and equity of early childhood development and education.

Compliance Requirements:

Background Check

Additional Information:

Sponshorship for employment is not be offered for this position.