Director-Center for Student Leadership and Expanded Learning (Education Specialist IV)
Job Description
The work we do matters!
Hiring Agency:
Education - Agency 13
Location:
Hiring Rate:
Job Posting:
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
Job Description:
The ideal candidate thrives on collaboration and relationship-building, strategic thinking, leadership development, and has the ability to work with a variety of partners within education, business, and nonprofits.
**The Nebraska Department of Education does not sponsor or transfer non-immigrant work visas for these positions.**
Office Location: This position is assigned to our office located at 84th & O St, Lincoln, NE.
Pay Grade 11: $85,448.66/year after pay structure on June 29,2026.
The selected candidate skills, abilities, education, and experience may provide an opportunity for a higher salary rate.
Teammates Enjoy
In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes an approximate $31,800 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits
- Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement
- 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
- Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
- 156% state-matched retirement for state plans, or 101% state-matched retirement for school plans
- Thirteen paid holidays per year
Essential Functions
- Directs the statewide Center for Student Leadership and Expanded Learning and Nebraska’s CTSO system, including establishing priorities, setting expectations, and ensuring consistent implementation across all state-authorized organizations.
- Develops and implements statewide initiatives to strengthen student leadership development and program effectiveness.
- Establishes and enforces program standards, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with state statutes, national standards, regulations, and agency expectations.
- Aligns CTSO activities with Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs of study, classroom instruction, and workforce development priorities to ensure integration as an intra-curricular component supporting student skill attainment and career readiness.
- Evaluates program effectiveness through assessing student experiences, advisor performance, and organizational outcomes using data and stakeholder feedback.
- Provides guidance and technical assistance to local education agencies, postsecondary institutions, and partners on implementation of student leadership programs.
- Oversees administrative fiscal processes supporting CTSOs by reviewing financial procedures, monitoring compliance, and ensuring efficient processing of funds aligned with program priorities and state or federal requirements.
- Provides leadership in the hiring, supervision, and potential discipline of staff. Conducts performance management activities including establishing annual goals related to the strategic plan, holding check-in meetings to discuss goal progress, and completing performance appraisals. Facilitates a continuous learning environment by promoting professional development to ensure all employees have the opportunity and skills to be efficient and effective in meeting the goals of the agency. Delegates work and projects appropriately among staff.
- Maintains regular & reliable attendance, possesses a valid driver’s license and travels independently, and works in a variety of settings.
Working Conditions and Travel: This position requires approximately 70% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 30% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as business or industry partnerships, postsecondary institutions, meetings, and conferences. There is also approximately one day of overnight travel per month.
Requirements / Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in the field of education or related subject area, three years of successful preK-12 teaching or school administration experience in an approved or accredited Nebraska school, or equivalent teaching or school administration experience in another state or country, and eligible for/possess a current Nebraska Teaching or Administrative Certificate per §79-807.
NOTE: A Nebraska Teaching or Administrative Certificate per 92 NAC 21 must be possessed by the time the candidate begins employment at the Nebraska Department of Education and an active certificate maintained while in the Education Specialist position.
Substitution: Bachelor’s degree in education or equivalent Master of Arts in Teaching per 92 NAC 21, five years of teaching or school administration experience in an approved or accredited Nebraska school or equivalent teaching or school administration experience in another state or country, and eligible for/possess a current Nebraska Teaching or Administrative Certificate per §79-807.
Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in education and at least three years of experience teaching career and technical education, and experience as a CTSO local or state advisor. Prior experience collaborating with a board of directors, developing and implementing student leadership programs and engagement initiatives, and building partnerships among education, business and industry, community organizations, and postsecondary institutions.
If you have any questions about this posting or working at NDE, please email us at [email protected].
If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits
Equal Opportunity Statement
The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.