Out of School Time Specialist, Program Support & Active Learning

Description

NEBRASKA CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOUNDATION: 

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation is a nonprofit created to support children, young adults, and families with the overall goal of giving our state's kids what they need to thrive. We do this by building strong communities that support families. Our mission is to create positive change for Nebraska’s children through community engagement and we believe in a Nebraska where all children will have the resources and support to thrive. 

SUMMARY: 

The Out of School Time Specialist, Program Support & Active Learning, for Beyond School Bells (BSB) is a specialist and support position advancing Nebraska Children and Families Foundation’s (NCFF) commitment to high-quality, locally sustainable Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs) for Nebraska’s K–12 youth, especially youth living in the state’s highest-need communities. Guided by the BSB Logic Model and its four goals—quality, sustainability, policy, and strategic programming—the position provides programmatic, operational, and administrative support for active learning-based programming strands, including literacy, workforce development and career exploration, STEM, and service learning and youth leadership. The Specialist supports BSB’s partnership and network activities; provides coaching, technical assistance, and resource sharing to afterschool program directors, coordinators, and partners; and assists with contract tracking, recordkeeping, reporting, and evaluation processes. The Specialist executes defined work with accuracy and consistency under the direction of the VP of BSB, contributes subject-matter expertise, and informs team decision-making through frontline and technical insight. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic Alignment & Program Purpose 

• Maintain a working knowledge of BSB’s mission, Logic Model, goals, and objectives—quality, sustainability, policy, and strategic programming—and align assigned tasks and activities within this frame to strengthen ELO programs across Nebraska. 

Program Support & Active Learning Implementation 

• Support the implementation of innovative, active learning-based ELO programming strands—including literacy, workforce development and career exploration, STEM, and service learning and youth leadership—under the direction of BSB leadership. 
• Assist in compiling, curating, and refining curriculum materials and program resources that promote fun, hands-on, experiential learning in afterschool and summer settings. 
• Support youth voice, family engagement, and community engagement activities within assigned projects. 

Partnership & Network Support 

• Support BSB’s local and statewide cross-sector partnerships by assisting with professional development convenings, conferences, scheduling, partner communications, and follow-up. 
• Build and maintain positive relationships with program leaders, schools, community organizations, statewide partners, youth-serving organizations, and other stakeholders that strengthen BSB’s work. 
• Assist in awareness-building efforts that promote access to high-quality ELO programming for all youth and families, including contributions to the BSB newsletter, website, and social media content. 

Coaching, Technical Assistance & Professional Development Support 

• Provide coaching, technical assistance, and resource sharing that helps programs strengthen quality, sustainability, and youth outcomes. 
• Coach and orient afterschool program directors, coordinators, and partners as assigned, building relationships that support effective project implementation. 
• Support the delivery of BSB professional development offerings—regional convenings, online meetings and modules, and statewide conferences—through logistics, materials preparation, and event coordination. 

Contracting, Recordkeeping & Reporting Support 

• Support contracting and fiscal processes for BSB projects by preparing documentation, tracking deliverables and report submissions, and sending status updates and report reminders to contractors and grantees. 
• Maintain accurate and complete records using NCFF’s electronic systems (WebGrants), Excel tracking tools, and, when applicable, hard-copy master files; periodically review files for consistency and accuracy. 

Evaluation & Continuous Improvement Support 

• Support the internal NCFF Research and Evaluation department by collecting data and program stories that measure progress toward the youth, ELO, and statewide outcomes identified in the BSB Logic Model and project specific goals across the BSB work portfolio. 

Team Participation & Professional Representation 

• Attend scheduled team meetings and contribute to planning conversations as needed. 
• Represent or contribute to representing BSB professionally at meetings, sub-groups, conferences, and community events, as assigned. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in education, human services, or a related field. 
• 3 + years Experience working in or supporting out-of-school time, youth development, or related programming. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, or equivalent applications. 

Preferred: 

• Experience with literacy and/or workforce development ELO programming. 
• Familiarity with or existing relationships within Nebraska’s youth development and ELO program community. 
• Experience supporting events, trainings, or convenings and public presentations. 
• Familiarity with grant or contract tracking systems (e.g., WebGrants). 

Equivalency Statement 

Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required for the responsibilities of this position. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands. 
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Hybrid position with office environment in Omaha and Lincoln. 
• Being able to commute to and from work and meetings. 
• Flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends. 
• Willingness to travel within the state, including occasional overnight stays. 
• Willingness to travel to national conferences 1-2 times per year, including overnight stays.