Assistant Director - TRIO Upward Bound Programs East

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for the Assistant Director - East in the Upward Bound Programs (UBP) within the Office of Educational Equity. This role leads academic programming for weekend academies and the six-week summer residence, supervising staff in Hazleton and Reading districts, and coordinating with campus offices.

The successful candidate will live in or move to Reading/Hazleton, visit schools weekly, and guide program assessment, budget management, and federal

Qualifications

• Experience planning, coordinating, and supervising instructional services and developing curriculum at high school or college level.
• Qualitative & quantitative evaluation experience; UB or equity program background preferred.
• Experience with federally funded TRIO Programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, coordination, assessment, and supervision of Upward Bound programs, including weekend academies and the six‑week summer residency.
• Manage budget and grant processes, ensure compliance with applicable laws and EDGAR regulations.
• Lead program assessment, evaluation, and reporting, and supervise full‑time staff in Hazleton and Reading districts.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Analytical skills

Leadership

Grant writing

Budgeting

Project management

Education

Master's Degree

Tools

Excel

Database tools

Job description

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

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 full‑time staff working in the Hazleton and Reading School Districts.

The Assistant Director is expected to be living in or move to the Reading/Hazleton area.

In addition, the Assistant Director will visit the schools weekly and work with students and UBP staff in the Hazleton and Reading School Districts.

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

Qualifications: We are seeking someone with experience planning, coordinating, and supervising instructional services and 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. Experience working with federally funded TRIO Programs is preferred but not required.

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 This is a 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.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Master's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Required Certifications: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $54,060.00 - $78,444.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

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.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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