American Youth Leadership Academy Program Coordinator

Location

Participating Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) high schools with some off‑site locations including, but not limited to, field trips, community partner sites, and Civic Nebraska headquarters.

The Civic Education team is seeking a Program Coordinator for the  school year to support the New American Youth Leadership Academy (NAYLA) program. NAYLA is an after‑school leadership and civic engagement program serving high school students who identify as New Americans: immigrant, refugee, or first‑generation youth. Through leadership development, community experiences, career exploration, and hands‑on civic engagement, students build skills, relationships, and confidence as community leaders.

• Assist and support the Civic Education Programs Manager and participating Community Learning Centers (CLC) School Community Coordinators (SCCs) with comprehensive NAYLA administration and programming.
• Coordinate and facilitate weekly NAYLA programming and activities alongside school and community partners, currently Lincoln High School, Northstar High School and Northeast High School.
• Lead and facilitate workshops focused on leadership development, civic engagement, post‑high school readiness, and community building.
• Evaluate NAYLA curriculum and make recommendations for adjustments to best serve program goals and student needs.
• Foster relationships with external stakeholders and community partners, earning their commitment and follow through.
• Work with diverse student populations on career exploration, post‑high school readiness, social‑emotional learning (SEL), and community engagement.
• Support students as they design, plan, and implement semester civic action projects focused on addressing issues impacting their communities.
• Coordinate and facilitate field trips and community experiences, including planning logistics and supporting student participation.
• Support students in facilitating civic dialogue, community conversations, and collaborative projects.
• Track attendance, program outcomes, and student engagement data to support program evaluation and storytelling efforts.
• Assist with end‑of‑semester events, student showcases, and community presentations.

• Lived experience as a New American (refugee, immigrant, or first‑generation American).
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to relate to people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and interests.
• Comfortable facilitating discussions and creating welcoming environments for students from diverse backgrounds.
• Comfortable enforcing rules and appropriate behavior.
• Experience working with young people.
• Willingness to listen to new perspectives without judgment or personal input.
• Interest in youth civic engagement, community building, education, and elevating the leadership of adolescents who identify as New Americans.
• Ability to build strong relationships with students, schools, and community organizations.
• Reliable transportation.
• Occasional evening and weekend availability.
• Proficient use of Google Workspace and shared drives.

Preference will be given to candidates with lived experience as a New American.

The NAYLA Program Coordinator must pass a comprehensive background check.

$25 per hour, 10‑15 hours per week during the academic school year. This is a non‑exempt, temporary, part‑time position with a minimum commitment of one school year (26‑27) with the possibility of some summer programming. Specific details will be determined with the successful candidate.