ESEA Programs Specialist; Education Specialist III

Job Description

ESEA Programs Specialist – Education Specialist III – Lincoln, NE

• Coordinate requirements for assigned federal grants such as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Grant, Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI) plan and grant, and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) grants; develop and review applications and reimbursement for compliance and allowability.
• Respond to inquiries and provide consultative services and technical assistance to school district administrators, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), and non‑public school districts.
• Serve as Nebraska’s Neglected and Delinquent Education contact for the U.S. Department of Education and Nebraska Homeless Liaison Coordinator; represent the department at national meetings for the Neglected and Delinquent program and the McKinney‑Vento program.
• Conduct program visits to determine program approval, regulatory compliance, and program quality related to the administration of federal programs; analyze results, write review reports, and monitor corrective action plans.
• Serve as liaison between Nebraska school districts and the U.S. Department of Education regarding federal grants and required reporting.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to schools identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI).
• Collaborate with other programs and agencies to promote program continuity, improve program quality, and foster professional development.
• Assist with development and implementation of internal procedures for grants management and program implementation.
• Attend and participate in state and national meetings and conferences.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance, possess a valid driver’s license, and travel independently across a variety of settings.
• Spending approximately 90% of work time in an office environment while traveling or working at schools, educational service units, or other agencies; allocate roughly twenty days of overnight travel per year.

• Master’s degree in education or a related subject area, two years of successful pre‑K–12 teaching or school administration experience in an approved Nebraska school, or equivalent experience in another state or country; eligible for a current Nebraska Teaching or Administrative Certificate per §79‑807.
• Must possess a current Nebraska Teaching or Administrative Certificate per 92 NAC 21 by the time employment begins and maintain an active certificate while in the position.
• Alternatively, bachelor’s degree in education or equivalent Master of Arts in Teaching per 92 NAC 21, four years of teaching or school administration experience in an approved Nebraska school or equivalent experience elsewhere, and eligibility for a current Nebraska Teaching or Administrative Certificate per §79‑807.

• Master’s degree and at least two years of successful Pre‑K–12 experience working with educationally disadvantaged youth.
• Direct involvement in the Continuous Improvement Process.
• Experience working with federal programs and developing and delivering professional development.
• Position may be governed by the Federal Hatch Act.

The State of Nebraska values its teammates and fosters a supportive environment that promotes 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.