21st century community learning centers and family & community engagement specialist (program specialist ii)

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Education - Agency 13

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$30.979

Job Posting:

JR2026-00029317 21st Century Community Learning Centers and Family & Community Engagement Specialist (Program Specialist II) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On:

09-30-2026

Job Description:

Are you looking for work that matters? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of children and their families? Join us! This position has a long title but really is made up of two focuses that will allow you to work with a variety of people both in the community and within education!

21st Century Community Learning Centers:

Provide support to 21st Century Community Learning Centers by assisting with grant management and providing technical support to grant recipients.

Family & Community Engagement:

Coordinate this program by ensuring initiatives are aligned to NDE goals and strategic priorities and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance school improvement.

The team is looking for a people person with great communication skills. If you enjoy learning, can work independently, and are adaptable, this position could be yours!

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 7:

$30.979/hour

This rate is based upon available budget funds; any offer will be made at this 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 $27,300 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 (yes, that’s $1.56 for every dollar!) with a guaranteed 5% return
• Thirteen paid holidays per year

Essential Functions

21st Century Community Learning Centers:

• Provides administrative support to meet grant management and reporting requirements (e.g., program and fiscal monitoring, grant management system processes).
• Assists with conferences, meetings, and other events to facilitate continuous improvement, disseminate information, and promote best practices.
• Provides technical support to grant recipients of the Expanded Learning Opportunity Grant Fund and ensures compliance with grant limitations.

Family and Community Engagement:

• Ensures Family and Community Engagement initiatives are aligned to best practices and NDE goals and initiatives (e.g., AQuESTT, the Comprehensive Needs Assessment, and the Nebraska State Board of Education Strategic Plan).
• Organizes conferences, meetings, and other events to facilitate continuous improvement, disseminate information, and promote best practices in order to accomplish goals.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, other NDE offices and programs, and Needs Improvement and Priority Schools to enhance family and community engagement in the school improvement process.
• Identifies and shares strategies to support school districts in building capacity of educators, community partners, and family members to increase engagement in schools, and to ensure academic success and healthy social and emotional development for all students.
• Maintains regular & reliable attendance, travels independently, and works in a variety of settings.

Working Conditions and Travel:

This position requires approximately 85% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 15% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as schools, educational service units, and other service agencies. There is also approximately ten days of overnight travel per year.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three years of experience related to the essential functions of the position. Any equivalent education and/or work experience may be substituted in order to meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in education and at least four years of successful K-12 teaching or school administration experience working with educationally disadvantaged youth, families, and community-based organizations. Direct involvement in the school-based Continuous Improvement Process and experience working with Nebraska afterschool and summer programs, such as 21st CCLC.

This position is federally funded and may be governed by the Federal Hatch Act. Click here to review the Act.

If you have any questions about this posting or working at NDE, please email us at nde.hrjobpostings@nebraska.gov.

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.