Upward Bound Grant Administration

Fort Lewis College•Durango, CO

About The Position

The Temporary Administrative Director provides administrative leadership and federal grant oversight for the TRIO Upward Bound Program during a transitional period. The position ensures compliance with U.S. Department of Education requirements; oversees the federal grant’s fiscal management and program administration; coordinates reporting and evaluation; and leads preparation for the next grant funding cycle. The role works closely with program staff to maintain continuity of participant services, program integrity, and federal compliance. The Director supervises fiscal aspects, personnel administration, and evaluation processes; serves as the primary liaison between the U.S. Department of Education and Fort Lewis College’s Upward Bound Program; maintains required records; monitors outcomes and expenditures; and completes required reports. The role reviews and approves budget expenditures, purchasing requests, contracts, travel requests, and personnel-related expenditures, working with College fiscal staff to ensure federal funds are used appropriately and documentation is audit-ready. The position leads planning for the next grant competition, including coordinating an application work plan and timeline, gathering and analyzing program and partner data, collaborating on objectives and evaluation plans, and preparing application narratives, budgets, and supporting materials. The position is not required to finalize or submit the grant application. If a federal funding opportunity announcement is not released before the temporary appointment ends, the Director creates a transition plan, timeline, and resource repository for subsequent personnel. The Director oversees evaluation activities and data systems, reviews operational policies and procedures, provides administrative guidance to program staff, and coordinates with the acting program lead regarding operations and emerging needs. The role also includes professional development related to TRIO and federal grant administration. Compensation is $32.93 per hour, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Five years of experience administering federally funded programs, grants, or educational opportunity programs.
Three years of experience with budget management, compliance monitoring, and reporting.
Three years of experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting program data.
Demonstrated organizational and project management skills.
Effective written, oral, and intercultural communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Successful candidate must submit official transcripts and pass a background check.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience with TRIO programs.
Successful grant writing or grant management experience.
Knowledge of U.S. Department of Education regulations and reporting requirements.
Experience in higher education or college access programs.

Responsibilities

Supervise fiscal aspects, personnel administration, and evaluation processes to ensure compliance with U.S. Department of Education requirements.
Maintain familiarity with federal TRIO legislation, regulations, and guidance.
Serve as the primary liaison between the U.S. Department of Education and the Fort Lewis College Upward Bound Program.
Maintain accurate program records and Department of Education documentation.
Ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and monitor performance outcomes.
Complete and submit required annual, quarterly, and special reports on time.
Monitor grant expenditures and support sound fiscal decision-making.
Review and approve budget expenditures, purchasing requests, contracts, travel requests, and personnel-related expenditures.
Collaborate with College fiscal staff to monitor grant budgets and ensure proper use of federal funds.
Monitor documentation of program services and activities for compliance and audit readiness.
Participate in professional development related to TRIO and federal grant administration.
Lead preparation for the next Upward Bound grant competition and funding cycle.
Develop and coordinate a grant application work plan and timeline.
Collect, organize, and analyze program performance and outcome data for grant renewal.
Coordinate gathering institutional, community, and participant data for a competitive grant application.
Collaborate with program staff and institutional partners to develop project objectives, services, outcomes, and evaluation plans.
Prepare grant narrative sections, budgets, supporting documentation, and other submission materials; finalizing or submitting the application is not required.
If no funding opportunity announcement is released before the appointment ends, create a transition plan, timeline, and resource repository for subsequent personnel.
Oversee project evaluation activities and review performance outcomes.
Ensure data collection and reporting systems support federal reporting requirements.
Review operational policies, procedures, and documentation to support program effectiveness.
Provide administrative guidance and support to program staff during the transition period.
Coordinate with the acting program lead regarding program operations and emerging needs.