Program Area Leader - Early Childhood 0.30 FTE (Open to University Employees Only)

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • Lincoln, NE
  • Temporary
  • Full-time
  • 25 days ago
Position InformationPosition InformationWorking Title Program Area Leader - Early Childhood 0.30 FTE (Open to University Employees Only)
Department Cooperative Ext Division-0788
Requisition Number F_240045
Posting Open Date 04/03/2024
Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date) 04/18/2024
Posting Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Description of WorkOverview
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 for the Early Childhood program area. The location will be determined by the location of the selected candidate's current office.Program Area Leader Responsibilities (0.30 FTE)
The program area leader for Early Childhood (EC) leads a team of technical area and engagement experts in early childhood and related disciplines; builds collaborative relationships with partners and stakeholder groups; and fosters engagement that addresses complex EC 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. This position reports to the Dean of Extension.Nebraska Extension professionals are committed to engaging with community partners, organizations, and all audiences, as well as individuals, in ways that reflect an understanding and value for individual differences (e.g., race/ethnicity, abilities, gender, sexual orientation, religion). Nebraska Extension strives to ensure that innovative programming, translational research, and learning opportunities promote equity and inclusion.Program Area Leader (approximately 30%):Program Planning
  • 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 an inclusive 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.Recognizing that diversity enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and a sense of belonging, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and Nebraska Extension are committed to creating learning, research, Extension programming, and work environments that are inclusive of all forms of diversity. Consistent with the , we see every person and every interaction as important to our collective well-being and our ability to deliver on our mission.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.As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See .
Minimum Required Qualifications
  • Master's degree in child development, human development, early childhood education or closely related field. 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 evidenced by career activities.
  • Demonstrated vision of learning opportunities that lead to impactful engagement.
  • Demonstrated experience and understanding of Extension excellence.
  • Experience developing, delivering, and measuring 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) Lincoln, NE
Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required
Criminal History Background Check Required Yes
Posted Salary
How to ApplyClick “Apply for this Job” and complete the 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 (attach as “Curriculum Vitae”).
  • Contact information for three professional references.
In addition, within the application, please complete the required supplemental question(s), one specifically describing your experience working in diverse teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to creating inclusive environments in which every person and every interaction matters. See for guidance in writing this statement.
For questions or accommodations related to this position contactMarci SturekJob Category Faculty Non-Tenure Leading
Job Category (old) Faculty Non-Tenure Leading
Job Type 12 Month (Faculty Only)
Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding? No
If Temporary, indicate end date
Planned Hire Date
Appointment End Date
Organizational Location Default LocationSupplemental QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * Provide a statement describing your experience working in diverse teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to creating inclusive environments in which every person and every interaction matters.(Open Ended Question) * Write a shared vision statement that you would feel comfortable sharing with EC team members.(Open Ended Question) * Describe leadership training and experiences you have participated in that will help you be successful in a leadership position.(Open Ended Question) * Share your leadership philosophy.(Open Ended Question) * Describe an engagement/co-learning opportunity that you developed and delivered for clientele, including why it was successful.(Open Ended Question)Required DocumentsRequired Documents * Letter of Interest
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • List of References
Optional Documents

University of Nebraska-Lincoln