Assistant Director - TRIO Upward Bound Programs East

Penn State University • University Park, PA

47d • $51,000 - $74,000

About The Position

Penn State's Upward Bound Programs (UBP) in the Office of Educational Equity is inviting applications for the position of Assistant Director - East. Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. UBP Serves: High school students in the Hazleton, Mifflin County, Mount Union, Newport, Reading, and Steelton-Highspire School Districts who are from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. Upward Bound Program (ed.gov) The Assistant Director reports to the UBP Director and is responsible for the planning, coordination, assessment, and supervision of significant components of Upward Bound Programs including the academic programming for weekend academies and the residential component of the six-week summer academy. In addition, the Assistant Director has oversight responsibility for the UBP full-time staff working in the Hazleton and Reading School Districts. The Assistant Director is expected to be living in or move to the Reading/Hazleton area. In addition, the Assistant Director will visit the schools weekly and work with students and UBP staff in the Hazleton and Reading School Districts. The successful candidate works within a loosely structured framework consisting of several unique but interrelated programs with defined outcome objectives; considerable latitude is given in terms of how defined outcomes are met. Although the UBP Director sets priorities, the ideal candidate must be able to work independently and make critical decisions related to the scope of duties and responsibilities. The Assistant Director is responsible for establishing positive rapport and good lines of communication with program staff, university staff and faculty, target schoolteachers and administrators, parents, and members of the local community. This position will also take a leadership role in all areas of program assessment and evaluation including facilitating the collection of outcome results for several federal annual performance reports. Applicants should expect that while some remote work is possible, their presence will be required in University Park on a regular basis.

Requirements

• Outstanding interpersonal verbal and written communications
• Effective analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Evidence of effective personnel management and leadership
• History of successful grant writing
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• The ability to handle multiple complex tasks and meet deadlines
• Minimally requires a Master's Degree and six (6) years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must work one Saturday per month from September through May
• Significant summer obligations in June and July
• Weekend and evening work frequently required
• PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
• A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to clearances.

Nice To Haves

• Experience planning, coordinating, and supervising instructional services and developing curriculum at the high school or college level
• Qualitative & quantitative evaluation
• UB or similar equity program
• With Excel, database and social media platforms
• Communicating/collaborating with individuals from a wide range of diverse backgrounds and ages.
• Experience working with federally funded TRIO Programs is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Planning, coordination, assessment, and supervision of significant components of Upward Bound Programs including the academic programming for weekend academies and the residential component of the six-week summer academy.
• Oversight responsibility for the UBP full-time staff working in the Hazleton and Reading School Districts.
• Establishing positive rapport and good lines of communication with program staff, university staff and faculty, target schoolteachers and administrators, parents, and members of the local community.
• Take a leadership role in all areas of program assessment and evaluation including facilitating the collection of outcome results for several federal annual performance reports.
• Hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating UBP staff
• Developing and administering policy and procedures and directing strategic planning for Upward Bound Programs
• Formulating and administering the budget for grant projects
• Maintaining budget documentation independent of the University's against which managed budgets can be reconciled and upheld through an audit
• Ensuring managed federal projects operate in compliance with all governing legislation and regulations including: The Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008; The Code of Federal Regulations Title 34 Part 645; The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, 99, and the Office of Management and Budget OMB Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200
• Coordinating with Penn State's Office of Sponsored Programs to prepare and submit competitive grant proposals for current and prospective funded projects
• Preparation and submission of annual performance reports to the U.S. Department of Education
• Ensuring proper collection and maintenance of documentation to verify participant eligibility and verify reported project outcomes that can be upheld through an audit

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees