Assistant Director - TRIO Upward Bound Programs East

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 51,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Retirement plans

Paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick time)

75% tuition discount for employees, spouses, and children

Job summary

A leading university is seeking an Assistant Director for Upward Bound Programs. This position involves planning, coordinating, and supervising programs that support low-income high school students. Key responsibilities include staff oversight, program evaluation, and grant management. Candidates should hold a Master’s degree with six years of experience. The role offers a salary between $51,000 and $74,000 along with a comprehensive benefits package, including tuition discounts.

Qualifications

• At least six years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred experience in planning, coordinating, and supervising instructional services.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, assess, and supervise significant components of Upward Bound Programs.
• Provide oversight of UBP full‑time staff working in Hazleton and Reading School Districts.
• Lead program assessment and evaluation for federal performance reports.

Skills

Outstanding interpersonal verbal and written communications

Effective analytical, problem‑solving, and organizational skills

Effectiveness in personnel management and leadership

History of successful grant writing

Accuracy and attention to detail

Ability to handle multiple complex tasks and meet deadlines

Education

Master’s Degree

Tools

Excel

Databases

Social media platforms

Job description

This position is funded for one year. Continuation beyond the first year is based on university need, performance, and/or funding availability.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State’s Upward Bound Programs (UBP) in the Office of Educational Equity are inviting applications for the role of Assistant Director – East. Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program offers opportunities to succeed in pre‑college performance and higher education pursuits.

UBP serves high‑school students in the Hazleton, Mifflin County, Mount Union, Newport, Reading, and Steelton‑Highspire School Districts who come from low‑income families or whose parents lack a bachelor’s degree. The goal is to increase completion of secondary education and enrollment and graduation from postsecondary institutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Director reports to the UBP Director and is responsible for planning, coordinating, assessing, and supervising significant components of Upward Bound Programs including academic programming for weekend academies and the residential component of the six‑week summer academy. The Assistant Director also provides oversight of UBP full‑time staff working in Hazleton and Reading School Districts, visits schools weekly, and works with students and UBP staff.

Expected to live in or move to the Reading/Hazleton area. Responsible for establishing positive rapport and communication with program staff, university faculty, target school teachers and administrators, parents, and local community members. Will lead program assessment and evaluation, including collection of outcome results for federal annual performance reports.

Competencies critical to success include:

• Outstanding interpersonal verbal and written communications
• Effective analytical, problem‑solving, and organizational skills
• Effectiveness in 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:

• 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 records against which managed budgets can be reconciled and upheld through an audit
• Ensuring federally funded projects operate in compliance with all governing legislation and regulations
• Coordinating with Penn State’s Office of Sponsored Programs to prepare and submit competitive grant proposals
• Preparing and submitting annual performance reports to the U.S. Department of Education
• Ensuring proper collection and maintenance of documentation to verify participant eligibility and reported project outcomes that can be upheld through an audit

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

At least a Master’s Degree and six (6) years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred experience includes planning, coordinating, and supervising instructional services and developing curriculum at the high‑school or college level; qualitative & quantitative evaluation; experience with TRIO or similar equity programs; proficiency with Excel, databases, and social media platforms; and ability to collaborate with diverse populations.

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

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with university policies, including PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check, and motor vehicle clearance with a valid driver’s license.

TERM APPOINTMENT

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

BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $51,000 – $74,000. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including medical, dental, vision coverage; retirement plans; paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick time); and a generous 75% tuition discount for employees, spouses, and children.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Submit a resume and cover letter. Candidates without a cover letter will not be considered.

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.