Position starting August 2026
Position Title: Postsecondary Navigator Specialist
Reports To: Director, English Learner Education
Location: Burke High School
Work Year: 12-month, 2-year grant-funded (with option for extension), Funded through June 30, 2027
The Postsecondary Navigator Specialist will provide targeted support to English Learners (ELs) in grades 11 and 12 to strengthen graduation rates, increase postsecondary enrollment, and build sustainable college- and career-going cultures. The position will deliver individualized advising, monitor academic progress, engage families and communities, and equip school staff with strategies to support EL students’ postsecondary success. This is a grant-funded position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide identified students personalized advising on college, career, financial aid, and workforce pathways.
- Assist students with postsecondary plans, dual enrollment, advanced coursework, and school offerings; ensure students, families, and counselors are informed of opportunities.
- Support scholarship search and application processes.
- Implement mentoring and near-peer mentoring programs engaging students within three academic years of each other to identify barriers to college and develop strategies to overcome them.
- Organize college visits to Nebraska campuses for high school students.
- Deliver financing postsecondary workshops to inform students and families about affordability and financial planning.
- Coordinate ACT/SAT preparation resources, including language support when needed.
- Organize family engagement events, workshops, and advising sessions tailored to community needs, including summer workshops.
- Connect families to community resources, immigration, and social services as needed.
- Monitor attendance, engagement, and coursework; intervene with at-risk students.
- Coordinate work-based learning experiences, internships, and leadership opportunities.
- Facilitate career exploration and research opportunities to supplement CTE efforts.
- Collaborate with counselors, teachers, administrators, and partners to build and measure college-going culture.
- Establish Local Postsecondary Readiness Councils and leverage surveys to evaluate effectiveness, including EL student focus.
- Track student participation in activities, clubs, and Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).
- Coordinate and report all project data, including weekly services, interventions, and outcomes.
- Participate in professional learning with Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).
Provide professional development for school staff on supporting EL students in postsecondary readiness and evidence-based problem solving.
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Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or related field required.
- Experience working with high school students, particularly English Learners, immigrant/refugee families, or multilingual communities.
- Knowledge of college access, financial aid, dual enrollment, workforce pathways, and community resources.
- Strong organizational, communication, cultural competency, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including students, families, school staff, and community partners.
- Demonstrated ability to track, analyze, and maintain accurate student and program data for monitoring and reporting.
Bilingual proficiency preferred.
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Impact of the Position:
The Postsecondary Navigator Specialist will directly contribute to:
- Increased graduation rates among English Learners.
- Improved access to dual enrollment and post-secondary opportunities.
- Develop a strong college-going and career-ready culture within the school community.
- Greater student engagement in leadership, clubs, and school activities.
- Stronger family involvement in college, career, and life planning.
Enhanced understanding of what helps English Learners thrive in high school and likewise, what may cause academic stagnation and disengagement.
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Terms of Employment
This position is treated as a full-time exempt classified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.
The offer of employment is contingent upon:
- Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses, certificates, and other requirements for the position (e.g., Paraprofessionals obtaining “Highly Qualified status,” etc.), as identified and maintaining all licenses, certificates, and requirements for your position throughout employment.
- A background check which demonstrates to OPS that background is acceptable for the position.
- Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
- Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for position offered).
- Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for position offered).
Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination to determine ability to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.
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Omaha public schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)
The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.
