Chief Executive Officer

Executive Summary

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in Educational Service Unit #3.

On behalf of the ESU #3 Board of Directors, the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) is pleased to invite applications and nominations for the position of Chief Executive Officer.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead one of the nation's premier Educational Service Agencies. As Nebraska's largest Educational Service Unit, ESU #3 serves eighteen-member school districts, more than 85,000 students, a budget of greater than $45 million, and over 6,000 educational professionals throughout the metropolitan Omaha region. For more than six decades, ESU #3 has partnered with school districts to strengthen teaching and learning through exceptional service, innovative programs, collaborative partnerships, and visionary leadership.

Today, ESU #3 is widely recognized as a model Educational Service Agency at both the state and national levels. The organization has earned an outstanding reputation for excellence in educational leadership, business services, professional learning, special education, behavioral and mental health services, networking and cybersecurity, English Learner services, and regional collaboration. Stakeholders consistently describe ESU #3 as a trusted partner known for exceptional people, strong financial stewardship, entrepreneurial thinking, and an unwavering commitment to serving member districts.

Throughout this search process, the Board of Directors sought meaningful input from superintendents, staff, and educational partners to identify the qualities most important in the organization's next leader. Their collective vision produced a leadership profile centered on eight defining attributes: Presence, Service, Relationships, Communication, Listening, Innovation, Trust, and Value. Together, these attributes reflect the culture of ESU #3 and the leadership qualities that will guide the organization into its next chapter.

The Board seeks a visible, collaborative leader who builds meaningful relationships, develops people, embraces innovation, demonstrates sound stewardship of public resources, and remains committed to delivering exceptional value to every member district. The successful candidate will possess the vision to anticipate emerging educational needs while honoring the collaborative culture and strong foundation that have made ESU #3 a national leader in educational service.

This is more than a leadership position—it is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on public education across Nebraska. Working alongside an outstanding Board of Directors, dedicated employees, member school districts, and valued community partners, the next Chief Executive Officer will help shape the future of educational service while ensuring every district continues to receive exceptional support, innovative solutions, and measurable value.

We invite visionary, service-oriented leaders who are passionate about public education, collaborative leadership, and organizational excellence to explore this exceptional opportunity and consider becoming the next Chief Executive Officer of Educational Service Unit #3.

Click on the brochure link below for more information.

ESU 3 Chief Executive Officer Search Brochure

Educational Service Unit #3

Job Description: Chief Executive Officer

It is the policy of Educational Service Unit #3 to not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin in its educational programs, admission policies, employment policies or other administered programs. Persons requiring accommodations to apply and/or be considered for positions are asked to make their request to the ESU #3 Administrator.

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer

Job Code:  1001

Department: Administration

Education Level and Certification: Specialist degree required; Doctorate degree preferred. Must possess a Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate and Superintendent Certificate at all times during employment with such endorsements as required by NDE Rule 10.

Reports To: ESU #3 Board

Performance Responsibilities and Job Tasks:  The Administrator is the Chief Executive Officer of ESU #3 and serves in both a leadership and management role. The responsibilities of the Administrator extend to all activities of ESU #3. The Administrator may delegate performance of management duties. Such delegation does not relieve the Administrator from ultimate responsibility or accountability.

Duties and Function of the Administrator/CEO 

The Administrator is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ESU #3.  As Chief Executive Officer, the Administrator is delegated the authority and responsibility for the overall administration of ESU #3 in all of its aspects. The Administrator shall carry out the executive and administrative functions in accordance with Board policies and in compliance with law.  

The Administrator is delegated the authority and responsibility for the efficient execution of all decisions made by the Board concerning the internal operation of the ESU.  The Administrator shall further perform duties, which are specifically designated in the policies as duties of the Administrator, duties that are established in the Administrator’s employment contract and job description, and duties that are mandated by law as the responsibility of the Administrator.  

The general duties and functions of the Administrator are as follows: 

Policies: The Administrator’s responsibilities related to policies are:

1. To present the Board with new or amended policies as appropriate to serve the role and mission of ESU #3 and meet changing requirements of law.
2. To implement Board policies and assure compliance with Board policies.
3. To assure that the Board policies are available for review upon request at the administrative office of the ESU.

Personnel: The Administrator is responsible for the overall management of staff.  Responsibilities related to personnel include:

1. To recommend administrative and supervisory positions for approval by the Board. The Board will approve the broad purpose and function of administrative and supervisory positions. 
2. To assign, supervise and evaluate administrators and supervisors and direct them in the performance of their duties.
3. To recommend candidates for employment and establish terms of employment for approval by the Board.
4. To prepare written job descriptions for employees.
5. To prepare and distribute staff handbooks.  Staff handbooks that are approved by the Board shall be deemed to be policies of the Board and shall have the same effect as Board-adopted policies. 
6. To develop and provide an effective staff development program.
7. To make assignments of personnel to their particular schools and responsibilities as determined appropriate.
8. To discipline staff and terminate or recommend termination of employment where appropriate.
9. To create and maintain appropriate mechanisms such as councils and committees to foster good communications within the staff and to allow representative members of the staff to have a voice in the development of policies and in the making of decisions affecting them.

  Budget:  The Administrator’s responsibilities related to the budget are:

1. To prepare the annual budget for the operations of the ESU with the assistance of staff, give required budget hearing notices, present the budget for approval by the Board, and file such reports and forms related to the budget and tax levy process as required. 
2. To make every attempt possible to operate within the limits set forth by the budget. 

Services: The Administrator shall communicate and provide leadership with regard to the determination of services to be provided to member school districts and services to be provided to other schools or entities via contract.  The Administrator shall ensure that the services are provided in a satisfactory manner. 

Purchases and Contracts:  The Administrator’s responsibilities related to purchases and contracts are:

1. To be in charge of all financial matters of the ESU.
2. To study and recommend to the Board fiscally prudent and suitable purchases and contracts for which Board action is required pursuant to law or Board policy. Where Board action is not required, to approve such purchases and contracts after appropriate consultation with other administrators and appropriate staff, or to provide oversight of those staff that are delegated such purchasing responsibilities.
3. To maintain a current inventory of ESU property.
4. To assure that ESU facilities, equipment and property are appropriately maintained.
5. To provide long-range and short term planning concerning facilities.

Board and Community Communications: The Administrator’s responsibilities related to communications with the Board are:

1. To prepare and send out agenda, special reports and minutes for Board meetings.
2. To prepare for and attend all Board meetings unless excused.
3. To promptly inform the Board of decisions or actions taken that are not covered in Board policies or by Board action. The Administrator shall have authority to make such decisions or take such actions on behalf of the ESU where the Administrator reasonably determines that it is necessary to do so. 
4. To keep the Board informed concerning the total ESU programs and operations.
5. To communicate to the schools and the community information about the activities of the ESU and publish reports on such activities as legally required.
6. To coordinate and guide the stakeholders within the ESU and the community to cooperatively enhance efficiency and effectiveness of ESU programs and services.
7. To keep abreast of the trends and changes in education for possible implementation of selected programs.  The Administrator will be expected to attend district, state, and national conventions of professional educational organizations.  The Administrator will secure advance approval from the Board before attending any out of state convention. The Administrator will report to the Board such information that is learned at such programs that will require Board action. Reimbursement for expenses allowed shall be in accordance with the “Coffee Act Policy.”
8. The Administrator shall, prior to July 1 of each year in which a statewide primary election is to be held, certify to the election commissioner or county clerk of each county located within the ESU the corporate name of each school district located within the county. If a school district is a joint school district located in two or more counties, the administrator shall certify to each election commissioner or county clerk the educational service unit of which the school district is considered to be a part. 

The Administrator is responsible to maintain the official records of the ESU. 

The Administrator shall serve as a member of the Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council.

The Administrator is to delegate duties to other members of the administrative team or other staff as required for the effective administration of the ESU, except in such matters that Board policy, Board action, or law prohibits the delegation. The Administrator remains responsible for assuring that the delegated duties are performed as required.

The Administrator is expected to adhere to the “Code of Ethics” for certificated educators as adopted by the Nebraska Department of Education, and to adhere to the ethical code of the American Association of School Administrators.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Responsibilities and duties assigned are at the discretion of the supervisor.