DEFINITION:

Upward Bound (UB) is a federally grant funded TRIO program whose purpose is to identify, select, and assist high school students preparing for college and career.  The Director will provide leadership and administrative oversight for the Upward Bound TRIO program serving Heide Trask High School and Pender High School in Pender County, NC. The Director will hire, develop, and supervise staff, while serving as a model through active, hands-on program participation, including planning, accompanying, and supervising students during Saturday Sessions, test-prep sessions, on college visits and cultural enrichment trips, including overnight and out-of-state/in-state trips; staying current on best practices in the field through attendance at meetings, conferences and seminars (state, local and national, including overnight stays) related to programs mission and goals (up to approximately 20 days annually).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives general direction from the Dean of Student Support Services.

Exercises direct supervision over all UB professional staff

Duties & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

ESSENTIAL AND OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Upward Bound program designed to support the academic achievement and college enrollment of participating students, including Saturday and after-school activities during the academic year and 6-week programs during the summer;
• Work collaboratively with Heide Trask and Pender High Schools’ personnel to effectively implement the Upward Bound program
• Collaborates with the Academic Division deans and program directors, as well as Student Services staff, to design, implement and institutionalize new practices and improvements according to the project schedule.
• Ensure that activities and services are provided according to the legislation and regulations of the U.S. Department of Education and will lead to meeting program objectives;
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications department to develop public relations materials and media information for distribution;
• Disseminate program information to the campus community, faculty, staff and students and serve as a spokesperson for the program
• Manage program budgets and authorize the commitment or expenditure of all program funds in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Education and the State of North Carolina and the policies of Cape Fear Community College;
• Provide academic, personal, college, and career advising to participants;
• Maintain accurate records of students' eligibility, participation, and academic progress;
• Participate in institutional, state, regional, and national higher education and TRIO organizations, conferences, and trainings;
• Maintain records and files as required by the Department of Education
• Hire, supervise and evaluate UB program staff
• Develop training opportunities for UB staff
• Provide presentations regarding the program to selected classes, student organizations and parent and community organizations
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of students
• Identify, determine eligibility and select participants for the UB program
• Develop strong working relationships with students, staff and parents at the high schools
• Supervise the maintenance of accurate UB data to generate monthly/quarterly/annual reports and to evaluate the performance of participants and the attainment of project objectives
• Prepare and submit Annual Performance Report to the US Department of Education and other reports as required in a timely manner.
• Serve as liaison, for government and community agencies and target schools
• Prepare proposal for renewal of the project
• Other duties as needed for grant compliance
• Other duties as assigned

Other Important Functions:

• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and community
• Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to present information effectively in one-on-one and small group situations
• Time management skills and a high degree of organizational skills  
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines, task, projects and assignments
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including a variety of public school officials, college officials, community groups, and the general public.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Fundamental curricular requirements at community colleges and four-year colleges
• Principles and procedures of recordkeeping
• Principles of budget preparation and control
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Business letter writing and report preparation techniques

Ability to:

• Manage and coordinate the work of professional personnel
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information
• Interpret and apply college admissions and enrollment policies and procedures
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals
• Prepare clear and concise reports
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
  • making observations
  • communicating with others
  • reading and writing
  • operating assigned equipment.

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

• sitting for extended periods of time
• operating assigned equipment.

Maintain mental capacity, which allows the capability of:

-            making sound decisions

-            demonstrating intellectual capabilities

-            responding to questions

-            evaluating the effectiveness of programs and personnel

-            maintaining confidentiality.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:  Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Minimum Education/Training

Minimum of 3-5 years of experience with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs, or related programs for diverse, low-income, first-generation college students.

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in education, counseling, public administration, or related field 

Preferred Education/Training, Experience, Skills

Professional or personal experience in overcoming barriers similar to those facing project participants.

Experience with direct management of state/federal grant projects.

Supplemental Information

This position REQUIRES UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AND/OR TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS be submitted in addition to the application. Please have these documents ready to upload when applying.
 
Candidates are required to submit OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS for all degrees obtained prior to their first day of work or hire date. If the highest level of education is a High School diploma or equivalent, proof of completion is required.
 
Candidates who have obtained their education outside of the US and its territories must have their academic degree(s) validated, at their own expense, by an outside credential evaluation service as equivalent to the Baccalaureate or Master's degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.