Job Description

Job Summary: The Director of TRIO Upward Bound is responsible for the administration of the Upward Bound grant programs. Upward Bound is a federally funded program and continued funding for the program is contingent upon a competitive application process. The director assures the program is operating in line with federal, state, and institutional guidelines and is responsible for all reporting and evaluation requirements of the program. Additionally, this position is responsible for the preparation of renewal grant applications and the collection of necessary data. Occasional travel is required to attend professional conferences, trainings, and student-related events. This position will require work on Saturdays during the program’s Saturday Academy sessions. Salary: Annual salary range of $50,000-$53,500 to commensurate with education and experience. Plus, excellent benefit package.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervise and evaluate two full-time professional staff members and 12-14 part-time employees (number may vary annually).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• lead and administer the Upward Bound project, the summer residential program, and the academic year components.
• serves as primary liaison with the Department of Education and participating high schools and community agency partners;
• works with low-income, first-generation, or academically disadvantaged high school students to help them develop the skills needed to become successful college students through the development of educational goals, guiding them in decision-making, directing them to resources related to career and academic major choices, and providing opportunities to develop social skills, study skills, and writing skills;
• plans and oversees the annual summer academy by planning and organizing the curriculum and classes to be offered, supervising certified teachers, enrolling students into classes, coordinating classroom assignments and supplies, and providing daily supervision of summer activities;
• organizes and supervises events and trips designed to help develop cultural competence by taking them to sporting, theatrical, historical, musical, and other educational and cultural events;
• supervises data collection and maintenance for accurate reporting and project evaluation;
• coordinates program and staff evaluations;
• responsible for the preparation and submission of Annual Performance Reports for the U.S. Department of Education;
• manage program budgets in accordance with institutional and federal regulations;
• cultivate positive professional working relationships with faculty and staff;
• develop and implement strategies to recruit and select eligible participants; promote retention and graduation efforts of participants;
• supervise full and part time employees;
• provide curriculum development and instructions for all staff to assure that all goals and objectives are met;
• approve all reported time and leave;
• approve cost center verifications;
• ensure that account coding on purchases and departmental expenses are valid authorizations for the purchases;
• attend federal, state, regional, and institutional workshops and trainings;
• participate in institutional meetings and committees;
• other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• KNOWLEDGE:
  • Knowledge of Department of Education Federal TRIO Programs and Regulations;
  • Knowledge of grants and related processes in a higher education environment;\
  • Knowledge of Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants.
• SKILLS
  • Good technical skills, including proficiency in MS Office;
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Good conflict management and negotiation skills;
  • Excellent project management and multitasking skills.
• ABILITIES:
  • Ability to oversee a budget and maintain fiscal control;
  • Ability to lead and manage a team;
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community;
  • Must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and knowledge of the academic, economic, social, and cultural needs of disadvantaged youth, and of programmatic methods proven in evidence-based effectiveness in overcoming such needs.
  • Personal experience in overcoming academic and economic obstacles to success is preferred.

Job Requirements

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree required, preferably in School Administration, Education, Guidance and Counseling, Curriculum, Instruction, or a related field.
• Must have experience supervising others and building effective relationships with students, parents, faculty, and staff; design, coordination and evaluation of retention programs for low-income and/or disabled students.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• A minimum of five years’ experience in one or more of the following:
  • administering federal educational projects (including effective personnel and budget management), counseling and guidance programs designed to work with disadvantaged low-income and first-generation students;
  • evaluation and documentation procedures used by federal projects;
  • familiarity with effective instructional and assessment practices;
  • and experience using student assessment instruments.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 20 pounds.
• Frequent standing and walking.
• Must have valid driver’s license.

APPLICATION PROCESS (PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS TO APPLY): Applicants must complete the South Arkansas College application form available at www.southark.edu/jobs. Resumes, transcripts, and reference list may accompany, but will not replace the application.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications are subject to the Arkansas FOIA. South Arkansas College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. South Arkansas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status in the provision of educational or employment opportunities or benefits.

The college is in compliance with titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and all other federal and state laws related to equal opportunity practices.

The selected candidate will be required to submit to a criminal background check and must receive acceptable results. They must also provide any relevant certificates of training or licenses (if applicable), official transcripts (for positions requiring undergraduate or graduate education), and possess a clean driving record. All new hire paperwork must be completed prior to the start date. This is a safety-sensitive position and subject to drug testing.

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