Upward Bound Director

Cal Poly Partners • Lexington, MA

28d • $73,061 - $84,000

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Director, New Student & Transition Programs, the Upward Bound Director plans, develops, implements, evaluates, administers and documents the federally funded Upward Bound (UB) program. As the program’s chief administer, the UB Director is responsible for budget administration, overall staff supervision and compliance with all grant rules and regulations mandated by the United States Department of Education. The UB Director works in cooperation with program targeted junior high and high schools to recruit and select low-income first generation college program participants as well as serve as a liaison between the target school personnel and the university. The UB Director is responsible for interpreting university policies and procedures as they relate to the Upward Bound program and its’ participants. Work week includes occasional evening hours, extended workdays and weekends in addition to a summer residential program. Annually departmental assignments will be evaluated to align with program needs and priorities which may lead to cross-functional assignments among staff.

Requirements

• Master’s degree and four years of progressively responsible professional student services experience
• Experience working with multi-cultural, low-income, first generation college, other non-traditional or underserved student populations required (preferably in an educational environment with secondary school students)
• Must possess strong academic and personal advising/counseling skills preferably with low-income, multi-cultural, first generation college and secondary school student populations
• Experience with standard office software, including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, electronic mail and calendar and internet. Must be able to learn and maintain proficiency with changing technology
• Must possess working knowledge of informal and formal assessment procedures
• Demonstrated ability to use analytical skills for designing learning assessments, interpreting results and making recommendations for future planning
• Must possess budget administration and management experience
• Must possess experience in grant management (design, research, write and report)
• Demonstrated experience in program planning, implementation, administration and management
• Experience in reviewing and acting upon the most difficult individual and organizational problems
• Experience in training, mentoring, supervising and evaluating staff
• Experience in providing lead person expertise. Direct working experience in effective team coordination and demonstrable collaboration skills
• Experience analyzing problems as well as recommending and implementing proposed solutions
• Must possess verifiable proposal and report writing skills
• Must possess strong organizational skills including attention to detail and managing multiple priorities and activities
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining accurate and detailed records
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and effectively communicate on an individual and group basis
• Proven ability to adjust to change and respond professionally
• Exhibit professional and personal qualities necessary for establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships with school site personnel, students, parents and a diverse staff
• Must travel to target sites. Must have reliable transportation, ability to hold a valid California driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to university insurance underwriters
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development
• Must be available to work some evenings, extended workdays, occasional weekends and a summer residential program
• Must submit to TB testing and successfully pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check
• This position is subject to Live Scan Background checks and may be considered a mandated reporter as required by law
• Must be willing to accept reassignment of duties if needed and to participate in cross training
• Must be willing to attend training related to policies, procedures and technological advancement as it pertains to position requirements
• Continued professional development expected
• The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment
• A background check is required for all regular benefited positions
• The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is preferred
• Experience with TRIO or other educational equity programs highly desirable
• Knowledge of college admissions procedures and high school graduation requirements desirable

Responsibilities

• Administrative Design, develop, implement, administer, supervise, evaluate and document all Upward Bound program activities and services as outlined in the grant proposal
• Oversee the day-to-day operations and program activities of the Upward Bound program
• Establish timelines, priorities, plans of action and deadlines for program’s projects and activities
• Define recruitment and selection methods for program participants
• Identify, determine eligibility and select participants for the Upward Bound program
• Design and oversee an integrated approach to assessing students’ individual needs, service delivery and monitoring students’ academic progress
• Develop and implement curriculum, training and activities for program participants
• Visit target junior high and senior high schools and establish and maintain effective working relationships with school administrators
• Provide presentations regarding the program to selected classes, student organizations and parent and community organizations
• Develop administrative and academic policies that affect Upward Bound program participants
• Develop, collect, compile, manage, analyze and evaluate program database
• Maintain records and files as required by the Department of Education
• Oversee grant evaluation and assessment component
• Disseminate program information to the campus community, faculty, staff and students and serve as a spokesperson for program to media sources
• Confer with the university, Cal Poly Partners and Sponsored Programs staff concerning questions and issues related to the program
• Budget Management Prepare, document, monitor and administer the Upward Bound budget
• Confer with Sponsored Programs staff and department budget analyst regarding budgetary questions and problems related to the administration of the program budget and keep informed of budgetary updates
• Plan, project and monitor budget expenditures for appropriate and effective fiscal management
• Complete accurate program budget projections
• Maintain and preserve required documentation for all project expenditures
• Confer with supervisor and department budget analyst regarding program updates, budget projections, grant proposals and continuation budgets
• Prepare and submit continuation budgets as requested by Department of Education
• Academic Services In collaboration with the Upward Bound Coordinator, ensure proper academic service delivery to program participants
• In collaboration with the Upward Bound Coordinator, ensure proper academic service delivery to program participants
• Design intrusive academic programs directly related to individual needs of participants and their parents
• Design and implement cultural, curricular, educational and career experiences for participants including field trips, classes, Saturday session activities and a summer residential program
• Identify and implement assessment instruments in order to determine students’ academic achievement
• Provide advising assistance to program participants, i.e., advising which considers questions and issues beyond the scope of the presenting question or issue and includes follow-up – academic advising, career counseling, curriculum advising, values clarification, goals analysis, appropriate resolution through referrals of personal crises, depression, family problems, etc.
• Monitor academic progress of students
• Advise Upward Bound staff regarding steps required to increase their effectiveness in working with participants
• Maintain weekly contacts with school site centers, project staff and participants
• Trouble-shoot student issues and concerns, i.e., clarify policies, initiate student action and assist with plans for resolution
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of financial aid requirements and student issues including issues regarding multicultural, low-income and first-generation college students
• Maintain current and accurate records on students served
• Grant Management Research, write and prepare project grant funding proposal
• Prepare, write and submit annual performance and continuation reports for the Department of Education
• Prepare year-end and other reports as required by Cal Poly
• Develop reports and maintain data necessary to ensure compliance with Department of Education grant requirements
• Ensure project objectives and partnership agreements are in compliance with Department of Education grant requirements
• Serve as contact for all grant communications with Department of Education
• Collaborate with the Sponsored Research Office on new and continuation grant applications that are submitted to the Department of Education
• Solicit institutional support and commitment for the program objectives including the elimination of educational, attitudinal and physical barriers that impede program participants’ academic success
• Staff Supervision, Training and Evaluation Recruit, hire or effectively recommend hiring, train, supervise and evaluate all professional and student assistant staff
• Develop training programs for all staff
• Oversee the assignment of projects, tasks and functions of all program staff
• Assign work and projects to program staff
• Provide opportunities for professional development for program staff
• Is held responsible for ensuring accountability for team and department performance, addressing issues constructively and proactively
• Confer with department human resources specialist, Cal Poly Partners and Sponsored Programs regarding staff recruitments and employee and employment policies
• Other Duties Represent programs in community, university and target school partnerships and committees.
• Represent the interests of the programs in regional and national professional associations.
• Participate and represent the department in assigned Student Affairs and other university colleges, committees and activities.
• Participate in computer and other technological training as required by department.
• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Cal Poly Partners provides excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, paid sick leave/vacation and 14 holidays.
• Employees are eligible to participate in the CP Partners Medical Insurance Plan offered through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).
• Employees have different plans from which to choose including HMOs and PPOs.
• The coverage includes the employee, his/her dependents, or domestic partner.
• The CP Partners cover a large portion of the medical premium for the employee and eligible dependents.
• All employees are members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and will contribute to their retirement; these contributions can be refunded if the employee terminates prior to retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees