Assistant Director – Upward Bound Programs East

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

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 Lead Counselor and all academic support programs, including direct supervision of the Summer Academy Coordinator.

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. 

Competencies critical to success include:

• 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.

Under the supervision of the UBP Director, the ideal candidate will have experience applicable to the following areas of responsibility covered by this position:

• 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.

Education and experience:

Typically requires a Master’s Degree and five (5) years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

We are seeking someone with experience planning, coordinating, and supervising instructional services & developing curriculum at the high school or college level; qualitative & quantitative evaluation; UB or similar equity program; with Excel, database and social media platforms; and communicating/collaborating with individuals from a wide range of diverse backgrounds and ages.

Schedule or Travel Requirements

• Must work one Saturday per month from September through May.

• Significant summer obligations in June and July

• Weekend and evening work frequently required.

Experience working with federally funded TRIO Programs is preferred, but not required.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

This is a limited-term appointment funded for one year from the start date with an excellent opportunity for renewal. 

Additional Information

Applicants should expect that while some remote work is possible, their presence will be required in University Park on a regular basis.

Application instructions: Please submit a resume and cover letter to apply. Candidates who do not submit a cover letter will not be considered.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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