The Rural Civic Health Program Manager is responsible for running programming to strengthen civic health -social connection, confidence in institutions, community engagement, and political involvement- that impact rural and small-town Nebraska, including facilitating community discussions and workshops, managing leadership development programs, developing tools and resources for use by resident leaders, and contributing to research on civic health trends in Nebraska. As a member of the civic health team, this position will also collaborate internally to build resources, knowledge, and understanding around civic health within Civic Nebraska and among its partners.

As our Rural Civic Health Program Manager, you get to:

• Grow the network of Nebraskans learning about, working, and funding civic health. 
  • Develop, foster, and sustain partnerships with community leaders and groups throughout Nebraska, across industries and sectors 
  • Prospect grant opportunities to leverage work, and provide support in grant application processes 
• Lead and coordinate all rural civic health workshops and training 
  • Seek out, schedule, and facilitate introductory presentations and advanced workshops about civic health and civil discourse, including among community groups and K-12 and higher education 
  • Recruit teachers and other K-12 educational professionals to participate in local government in action days and cross reference to recruit attendees for Capitol Experience Days.
• Contribute to the ongoing research, data analysis, and writing of the Nebraska Civic Health Index and presentation of findings
  • Help maintain updated civic health data and analysis for the Civic Health Index and TROVE (voter turnout mapping tool). 
  • Utilize the Civic Health Index and feedback from the statewide network to host online and in-person learning seminars on priority topics 
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to develop and publish tools and resources for community members to strengthen civic health in their community 
• Manage leadership and skills development of program activities including:
  • Nebraska Documenters
    • Collaborate with Nebraska Journalism Trust to manage training for new citizen journalist “Documenters” on understanding institutions, civil discourse skills, and community asset mapping. 
    • Build relationships and hold conversations to recruit new communities to host local Documenters chapters in non-metro Nebraska. 
  • Idea of America Fellowship
    • Manage all administration of the Idea of America Fellowship- a non-partisan leadership cohort experience for current and aspiring local elected officials. 
    • Manage all aspects of program delivery of the Fellowship, including curation and deep understanding of content and curriculum, developing cohort schedules, accommodations for fellowship retreats, recruitment and engagement of fellows, lining up conversation facilitators, co-facilitating retreat discussions, engagement of fellows and fellowship alumni  
  • Civil Discourse
    • Work with experts in the field and the Director of Civic Health to build knowledge and skills in civil discourse best practices
    • Work with resident leaders in Nebraska towns to plan and facilitate civil discourse discussions and workshops 

This role might be for you if you have the following qualifications: 

• 1-3 years of relevant experience in the nonprofit sector and/or community development realm
• Experience in, or proficiency demonstrated for project management
• Strong critical thinking skills, ability to find creative solutions, and to be adaptable while working with diverse groups across multiple sectors
• Ability to facilitate community workshops of varying sizes and audiences
• Ability to build trust and relationships with community members and within rural communities 
• Experience with Asset Based Community Development models and principles
• High standards of organization, including attention to detail, reliability, professional, and personable attitude 
• Strong interpersonal skills in establishing successful working relationships
• Ability to take leadership on projects by working independently while also thriving in a collaborative environment as a member of a small team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

This position will earn a salary ranging from $56,000 upward, dependent upon skills and experience. This position may be based out of Civic Nebraska’s Lincoln office or work remotely from anywhere in non-metro Nebraska—frequent travel required to communities throughout the state. Benefit options include medical, vision, and dental insurance coverage. Position includes unlimited paid time off and a 401K option after one year of employment. This is a full-time, exempt position.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume and a list of three references to Sarah Walker at sarah.walker@civicnebraska.org by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Civic Nebraska is an equal-opportunity employer. People of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Civic Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnic background, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.