Statement of Primary Purpose

Cultivate programs and services for the high school learner, so that the individual can successfully enter and advance in a career path.  This position serves Swain County High School students with offices on the Jackson campus and at Swain High School.

Classification                                                                                                                                                               

Professional, non-exempt, full-time Staff

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

PLANNING

• Build and/or maintain strategic, positive, effective relationships with college staff, administrators, and faculty in order to ensure support for GEAR UP initiatives.
• Work closely with staff of partnering GEAR UP LEA (school & district leadership, faculty and administrators) to identify opportunities to foster college attendance among their students and a college-going culture at their schools; support the development of programming that addresses those opportunities.
• Ensure that annual spending plans are aligned with and flow from that six-year plan.
• Maintain strategic, positive, effective relationships with community college staff, administrators, and faculty to support On Ramp initiatives.
• Work closely with LEA partners (school district administration, partner site school administration, partner site school staff and faculty) to design and implement On Ramp specific programming among their students
• Maintain consistent communication with the On Ramp Director
• Participate and take an active role in ongoing biweekly meetings of the County Management Team for implementation of On Ramp Services
• Build or maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations and workforce partners in the community college service region

IMPLEMENTATION

• Work with and support college staff and partnering LEA staff to implement GEAR UP & On Ramp programming and policies that 
  • can be embedded in the institutions' operations and culture;
  • model best practices in education and/or organizational development; and
  • can be (or create models that could be) sustained beyond the life of the grant.
• Ensure GEAR UP students and family services focus on the postsecondary planning and preparation for all students, with special emphasis on those students from populations who are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education.
• Support the development of academic/STEM services that demonstrate alignment between college and grant goals.
• Maintain a strong relationship with Appalachian State University GEAR UP & On Ramp by regularly attending meetings and communicating updates to college staff.
• Participate in regular professional development opportunities to stay abreast of updates and the changing landscape of college access and success.
• Plan and implement (with the support of the County Management Team) required services in the On Ramp grant, including but not limited to the following:
  • Workforce Connection Breakfasts and Workforce Classroom visits for high school juniors
  • Summer Career Exploration Experiences for high school seniors
  • One-on-one college and career advising for high school seniors
  • Summer Bridge Program for specific On Ramp students transitioning from high school to community college
  • Transition advising and progress monitoring for specific first and second year CC students served by the On Ramp grant
  • FAFSA support for specific first and second year CC students served by the On Ramp grant
  • Support advising for On Ramp students transferring to another institution
  • Support the development and completion of internships for credit for On Ramp students entering the workforce.

EVALUATION

• Work with GU District Coordinators to ensure services are entered into the GEAR UP database within 30 days of the service and in accordance with federal and Appalachian GEAR UP policies.
• Engage in regular data reviews with college and LEA GEAR UP teams to monitor progress toward GEAR UP goals, identify gaps, and promote the implementation of services to strategically address those gaps.
• Work with LEA and community college partners to ensure all services are entered into the On Ramp database within 30 days of service and in accordance with federal and On Ramp Appalachia policies
• Engage in regular data reviews to monitor progress towards goals, identify gaps in service, and promote implementation of services to address gaps
• Participate in formative and summative research through answering survey questions.

COMPLIANCE

• Maintain adequate service and financial records in accordance with federal, state, institutional, On Ramp and GEAR UP policies. 
• Work with college finance staff to ensure quarterly reports and match submissions are submitted on time and with minimal error.
• Monitor progress toward cost-share commitments and budget spending.
• Communicate regularly with college On Ramp and GEAR UP director regarding financial commitments to ensure match commitments are met and GEAR UP funding is utilized appropriately.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve on College committees as assigned
• Additional duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education           

Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in education, communications, business, career development/counseling, or related field.

Experience        

2 years minimum work experience in secondary and/or postsecondary

Knowledge and Skills    

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with diverse audiences
• Demonstrated skill set in critical thinking and problem solving concerning high school activities and issues.
• Experience working with students, parents, and administrators in secondary and/or higher education settings
• Familiarity with public school and/or higher education administration
• Previous teaching and/or counseling experience preferred
• Ability to coordinate and encourage collaboration
• Experience working with high school and/or college students
• Experience working with students who face barriers to academic success
• Experience working with first-generation, low-income, minority, or at-risk students
• Experience with data management
• FERPA compliance standards

Physical Demands          

General office/administrative work. Occasional moving of some large and small items and occasional lifting.

Licensing Requirement

Valid NC Driver’s License

Working Conditions and Environment

Evening/weekend hours occasionally required. Local/ regional travel and additional travel occasionally required. Maintains office in Swain and Jackson county locations.

Equipment Operation

PC, general office equipment, some experience with teleconferencing preferred

This position description covers the most essential functions and duties associated with this position.  Other duties may be assigned by the President or appropriate supervisory personnel.  The College reserves the right to alter duties, responsibilities, conditions, working hours, and job title as necessary.