TRIO Director Upward Bound and Math Science Program

Texas Southern University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Southern University seeks a TRIO Director Upward Bound and Math Science Program to lead daily operations, staff performance, and student outcomes under federal TRIO guidelines. The role collaborates with campus partners and community stakeholders, guiding academics, services, and recruitment within the approved grant plan.

The Director translates grant objectives into actionable programs, monitors progress, and supports budget documentation while ensuring compliance and timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in education, counseling, social work, educational leadership, or related field.
• Five+ years of staff supervision, program administration, or related experience.
• Experience with federally funded TRIO programs, education access initiatives, or similar services.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and manage program operations in line with grant objectives.
• Coordinate recruitment, eligibility, enrollment, and student support services.
• Oversee budget documentation and administrative tasks; final fiscal authority rests with the Executive Director.
• Coordinate summer programming and academic services.
• Ensure compliance with TRIO requirements and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Staff development

Communication

Program planning

Time management

Data management

Education

Master's degree in education, counseling, social work, educational leadership, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Blumen data systems

Job description

TRIO Director Upward Bound and Math Science Program

Title Information

Security Sensitive Position?

Security Sensitive Position? Yes

Hours of Work

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number TSU203820

Official TSU Title TRIO Director Upward Bound and Math Science Program

Grant Title TRIO Director Upward Bound and Math Science Program

Job Description Summary / TWC Summary

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the TRIO Executive Director, the Upward Bound Program Director provides leadership, coordination, and day-to-day management of program operations, staff performance, student success, and compliance with federal regulations, university policies, and approved grant objectives.

The Director is expected to be an engaged, professional, and accountable leader who promotes teamwork, integrity, initiative, and results. Responsibilities include supervising and developing staff, ensuring timely and accurate completion of assigned duties, coordinating academic advising and student support services, monitoring student progress, and maintaining required documentation in accordance with the Upward Bound Plan of Operation.

The Director collaborates with the TRIO Executive Director, Project Coordinator, Academic Advisor, staff, target schools, university departments, and community partners to achieve program goals and improve student outcomes. The Director also assists with budget-related matters, purchasing requests, financial documentation, and expenditure reporting but does not hold independent budgetary oversight or final budget approval authority.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The position requires strong leadership, initiative, accountability, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities while modeling professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to student success. The Director translates grant objectives into daily operations, guides and supports staff, resolves challenges, monitors program effectiveness, and ensures goals and deadlines are met.

The Director must be proactive, solution-oriented, and committed to addressing performance concerns promptly and professionally. Clear communication, follow-through, and a work environment built on accountability, mutual respect, teamwork, and student-centered service are essential. This is a grant funded position.

1. Leadership, Accountability, and Staff Management

• Provide active leadership and model professionalism, dependability, initiative, integrity, and a strong work ethic.
• Establish clear expectations, priorities, deadlines, and performance standards.
• Supervise, evaluate, coach, and hold staff accountable for attendance, communication, documentation, and assigned duties.
• Address performance concerns promptly and professionally while promoting teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate program priorities, monitor progress, support staff development, and escal...

2. Program Administration and Implementation

• Manage daily Upward Bound operations in accordance with the approved grant, Plan of Operation, annual work plan, and program objectives.
• Develop and maintain program calendars, schedules, academic services, summer programming, workshops, and enrichment activities.
• Monitor program activities, deliverables, staffing, documentation, and deadlines.
• Conduct target-school visits, coordinate student travel and educational activities, maintain organized records, and collaborate with university personnel.
• Assist the Executive Director with budget documentation and administrative tasks; final fiscal decisions remain with the Executive Director.

3. Recruitment, Eligibility, and Participant Services

• Coordinate recruitment, outreach, eligibility screening, enrollment, and onboarding to meet participant goals.
• Maintain accurate applications, eligibility records, consent forms, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor enrollment, attendance, engagement, and retention, implementing follow-up strategies as needed.
• Maintain effective communication with students, families, schools, and community partners while protecting confidential information.
• Promote program services and opportunities throughout the university and community.

4. Academic Advising and Student Success

• Coordinate academic, career, personal, college readiness, and financial aid services.
• Collaborate with the Academic Advisor and staff to monitor student progress, address academic concerns, and implement appropriate interventions.
• Maintain accurate academic records, advising notes, grade reports, and student support documentation.
• Support tutoring, academic enrichment, college applications, scholarships, financial aid, and post-secondary enrollment.
• Promote student achievement, college access, graduation, and long-term educational success.

5. School and Community Partnerships

• Serve as a primary liaison between Upward Bound, target schools, university departments, families, and community organizations.
• Maintain productive partnerships through regular communication, school visits, outreach, and collaborative activities.
• Represent the program professionally and identify opportunities to strengthen services and student outcomes.

6. Budget Coordination and Administrative Support

• Assist the Executive Director with purchasing requests, expenditure documentation, travel records, receipts, and program resource needs.
• Ensure staff follow university procurement, travel, and documentation procedures.
• Follow established approval processes and refer financial decisions, discrepancies, and unauthorized expenditure concerns to the Executive Director.

7. Grant Compliance, Reporting, and Program Evaluation

• Ensure program implementation aligns with U.S. Department of Education TRIO requirements, approved grant objectives, federal regulations, and university policies.
• Prepare accurate, complete, and timely reports, data summaries, grant files, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor recruitment, service delivery, performance objectives, and student outcomes.
• Identify deficiencies, implement corrective actions within assigned authority, and promptly report significant compliance concerns.
• Support internal audits, federal monitoring, program evaluation, and grant continuation or renewal activities.

8. Program Activities and Summer Programming

• Coordinate summer programming, academic instruction, college tours, cultural enrichment, educational trips, and student development activities.
• Prepare and supervise instructors, tutors, counselors, and temporary staff.
• Ensure activities are properly planned, staffed, documented, evaluated, and improved based on program data and feedback.

9. Communication and Professionalism

• Maintain timely, respectful, and professional communication with the Executive Director, staff, university personnel, students, families, and school partners.
• Provide regular updates on program progress, assignments, deadlines, staffing, and operational concerns.
• Protect confidential information and demonstrate sound judgment, initiative, flexibility, and accountability.
• Complete assigned responsibilities independently and without repeated reminders or unnecessary supervisory intervention.

FTE

1.0

Hiring Range

Hiring Range $74,879.81 - $95,471.75

Education

Master's degree in education, counseling, social work, educational leadership, or a related field from an accredited institution.

Required Licensing/Certification

N/A

Knowledge of:

• TRIO regulations, federal grant requirements, university policies, and Upward Bound operations.
• Recruitment, eligibility, academic advising, college admissions, financial aid, student support, and postsecondary access.
• Staff supervision, program evaluation, data management, reporting, and compliance documentation.
• Microsoft Office or comparable applications and Blumen or other applicable program data systems.

Skills in:

• Leadership, supervision, coaching, staff development, and accountability.
• Program planning, implementation, evaluation, and problem-solving.
• Communication, report writing, organization, time management, and decision-making.
• Building partnerships and using program data to improve services.

Ability to:

• Model professionalism, dependability, integrity, initiative, and accountability.
• Establish clear expectations, address performance concerns, and resolve challenges promptly.
• Manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, maintain accurate records, and work independently.
• Communicate effectively with diverse students, families, staff, and community partners.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow university and grant requirements.
• Work flexible hours, including evenings and Saturdays, and travel regularly to target schools and approved activities.
• Coordinate student activities, educational trips, and summer programming.
• Support budget documentation while adhering to established fiscal approval procedures.

Work Experience

• At least five years of experience in staff supervision, program administration, program development, or a related area.
• At least five years of experience with federal TRIO programs, educational access initiatives, or services for low-income and potential first-generation college students.
• Experience coordinating educational programming, student services, college readiness, and student activities.
• Knowledge of college admissions, academic planning, scholarships, and financial aid.
• Demonstrated leadership, staff accountability, program development, evaluation, partnership building, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to improving educational access and success for underserved students.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment or water treatment system.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience administering federally funded TRIO programs.
• Knowledge of grant compliance, federal reporting, program evaluation, and performance measures.
• Experience supervising full-time, part-time, seasonal, and student employees.
• Experience coordinating summer academic programs and enrichment activities.

Working/Environmental Conditions

• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods during program activities and events.
• Ability to carry lightweight supplies and equipment.
• Ability to travel to schools, university locations, and approved program activities.
• Availability of working evenings, Saturdays, and flexible hours based on program needs.

Position End Date (if temporary)

UA EEO Statement

It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered to in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Open to all applicants.