Director - School Improvement (Education Specialist IV)

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Education - Agency 13

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$41.100

Job Posting:

JR2026-00028950 Director – School Improvement (Education Specialist IV) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

09-10-2026

Job Description:

Are you looking for a role impacting schools and Educational Service Units across the state? Join the Nebraska Department of Education as Director of School Improvement! This role provides guidance to Nebraska schools and Educational Service Units regarding the improvement process to ensure improvement of student achievement, especially in state or federally identified schools.

This position will coordinate work across cross-functional teams so candidates with great collaboration will do well! The hiring team is looking for candidates with a continuous improvement mindset, and well-developed communication and customer service skills to make a difference for students across the state of Nebraska.

**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

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 well over $20,000 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at

• 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

• Provides guidance to state and federally-identified schools throughout the designation, identification, and exit stages and assists with development, implementation, and monitoring of the Priority School Progress Plan and federal improvement plans.
• Ensures plans are designed to increase outcomes for student groups identified in Nebraska’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan.
• Establishes and fosters strategic partnerships with school districts and Education Service Units (ESUs) to coordinate supports provided to identified schools.
• Collaborates to collect and analyze data related to student performance, professional learning, and compliance to develop improvement plans.
• 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 schools and ESUs. 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, and 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: Doctorate or equivalent academic endeavor such as a Six-Year Specialist Certificate, and at least three years of experience as a director, specialist, coordinator, instructional coach, department head, or administrator in a school, ESU, or professional organization facilitating professional learning opportunities.

If you have any questions about this posting or working at NDE, please email us at View email address on aiapply.co.

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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:

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.