"Program Area Leader, Early Childhood - 0.30 FTE (Open to Nebraska Extension Faculty Only)"

Job Details

Working Title: Program Area Leader, Early Childhood - 0.30 FTE (Open to Nebraska Extension Faculty Only)

Department: Cooperative Ext Division-0788

Requisition Number: F_250066

Posting Open Date: 08/07/2025

Application Review Date: 08/22/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Description of Work:

Overview
This position will retain 70% of their current programming duties as an early childhood educator or specialist with the remaining 30% to serve as the program area leader (PAL) in the Early Childhood program area. The location will be determined by the location of the selected candidate’s current office.

The program area leader for Early Childhood leads a team of technical area and engagement experts; builds collaborative relationships with partners and stakeholder groups; and fosters engagement that addresses complex issues. The incumbent guides faculty members to develop cross-disciplinary extension, engagement, and research programs that contribute to the mission of Nebraska Extension, and that effectively expand and disseminate knowledge and tools to inform decision making among clients, communities, and related industries. The PAL role reports to the Dean of Extension.

PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Area Leader (approximately 30%):

• Provides overarching leadership and vision for the Program Area.
• Coordinates program planning within each program area including coaching, mentoring, monitoring, mapping, team building and collaboration, needs assessment, state action plan development including outcomes and indicators, recommended deliverables, program delivery, tracking of activities, tracking of success stories, and program evaluation.
• Fosters strong connection and collaboration among specialists, educators, and assistants.
• Establishes and fosters a robust network of external stakeholders that inform and collaborate on priority programming initiatives.
• In collaboration with focus team leaders and informed by key external stakeholder input, leads State Action Plan development including needs assessment, outcomes, and indicators.
• Monitors program delivery and deployment, tracking of activities, tracking of success stories, and program evaluation.
• Uses entrepreneurial practices to secure funding and partnerships to leverage extension’s programming reach and impact.
• Coaches program area members to contribute to outcomes, indicators, and deliverables.
• Responsible for the annual development and uploading of the Program Area State Action Plan.
• Responsible for annual completion of the corresponding Program Area State Action Plan Outcomes.
• With focus team leaders, develops an annual Program Area Impact at a Glance stakeholder document.
• Working with appropriate associate dean, provides: Discipline focused onboarding and training, Team building and collaboration, Coaching and mentoring of Focus Team leaders.
• Serves as a consultant to extension assistants, educators, and specialists in program planning.
• Fosters a culture in which contributions to teams are appreciated and recognized, collaboration and innovation are encouraged, and the abilities of all are engaged to fully realize the potential of teams, and each team member has a sense of belonging.

Coach and Performance Consultant (in partnership with engagement zone coordinator (EZC) or academic unit leader (AUL) as appropriate)

• Contributes to coaching extension educators and assistants/associates as a program performance consultant.
• Supports supervisor in coaching, directing, and supporting employees’ programming performance.
• Develops metrics to evaluate, measure success, and inform the annual performance review process of extension educators and specialists.
• Provides program area/discipline-based guidance for employees.
• Informs check-ins, performance reviews, and academic promotion recommendations relative to employee contributions to programs, products, leadership, and teams.
• Participates in check-ins and performance review conversations.
• Serves as hiring official for extension educator searches, working with appropriate associate dean, EZCs and AULs to: Develop extension educator position descriptions, Develop mission critical extension educator position requests, Complete request to search forms.
• Cultivates a dynamic strategic statewide staffing plan.

In addition to the above-described duties, the individual will be expected to accept committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and/or university level.

Some travel is required. Must meet driver standards according to UNL policy and have a valid driver’s license. Criminal history background check will be conducted.

This position is not eligible for employment-based permanent residency sponsorship. UNL may be able to sponsor temporary work authorization (e.g., H-1B) for the successful candidate.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in youth development, education, or similar early childhood associated discipline. Master’s degree must be completed by the start date.
• Must currently hold an extension educator or specialist position with an early childhood focus.
• Outstanding leadership and communication skills as demonstrated by roles in career activities.
• Experience working with individuals, coworkers, and teams to accomplish individual and/or group goals, as demonstrated in career activities.
• Demonstrated vision of learning opportunities that lead to impactful engagement.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of Extension excellence.
• Experience developing, delivering, and measuring the impact of engagement and co-learning opportunities to meet the needs of clientele.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and programs.
• Experience mentoring or coaching individuals and teams.
• Evidence of successfully securing and managing programming resources.

Work Location (City, State): TBD, NE

Criminal History Background Check Required: Yes

How to Apply: Click “Apply for this Job” and complete the faculty information form. Attach the following documents: A letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the job and anticipated contributions, Your curriculum vitae or resume, Contact information for three professional references. In addition, within the application, please complete the required supplemental question(s).