UB/UBMS Program Director

Opportunity Resource Services; Cleburne (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Opportunity Resource Services seeks a Program Director to lead the Pre-College High School Program, including UB and UBMS. You will oversee staffing, curriculum, and student services, ensuring federal grant compliance and program excellence.

The role requires a strong background in education or counseling, with experience managing at‑risk youth programs, budgets, and partner relations. Central responsibilities include program development, reporting, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, STEM, or related field.
• 5 years’ experience managing and implementing educational programs for at‑risk students or equivalent.
• 5 years’ experience with high school students.
• Budget experience and knowledge of fiscal principles.
• Personnel supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of federal grants management and compliance.
• Knowledge of college entry requirements.
• Proficient with technology and project management systems.
• Experience developing and delivering education/career information.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, development, and administration of UB and UBMS programs.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff to ensure effective service delivery.
• Plan and improve program operations to meet objectives and education priorities.
• Develop and monitor project budgets and ensure fiscal compliance.
• Recruit and engage partner schools; represent ORS in communities.
• Oversee curriculum, workshops, and counseling for student advancement.
• Collect data, maintain records, and submit required reports.
• Engage community partners to expand support networks for participants.

Skills

Staff leadership

Grant management

Project management

Technology proficiency

Public speaking

Career counseling

Youth outreach

Communication skills

Education

Baccalaureate degree in education, counseling, STEM, or related field

Tools

JotForms

Google Workspace

Lacai Database

Job description

The Pre-College High School Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, development, and administration of the Upward Bound (UB) and Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) programs. This includes ensuring compliance with all federal grant requirements and advancing Opportunity Resource Services’ mission of helping first-generation and low-income students achieve postsecondary success.

Site Locations: Southwest (Fort Worth, TX) and Lancaster (Lancaster, TX) Schools

The Director will oversee all aspects of program management, including:

• Staff leadership: Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff to ensure the consistent and effective delivery of services.
• Program development: Plan, implement, and continuously improve program operations, services, and activities to meet annual performance objectives and Department of Education priorities.
• Fiscal management: Develop, manage, and monitor project budgets, ensuring compliance with federal fiscal regulations, proper use of funds, and timely reporting.
• Recruitment and outreach: Design and execute annual student recruitment strategies, establish strong relationships with partner schools, and represent ORS in community and educational settings.
• Student development: Oversee curriculum, workshops, academic counseling, and summer components that foster participants’ academic growth, personal leadership, and college readiness.
• Evaluation and reporting: Collect and analyze program data, maintain accurate records, and submit all required reports to ensure program accountability and success.
• Community engagement: Serve as liaison to schools, postsecondary institutions, and community partners to expand support networks and resources for program participants.

The Director ensures that all program participants graduate from high school and successfully enroll in a postsecondary education program.

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree in education, counseling, STEM, or a related field
• 5 years’ experience managing and implementing educational programs for at-risk students or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years’ experience working with high school students.
• Budget experience and knowledge of fiscal principles.
• Personnel supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal grants management & grant compliance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of college entry requirements.
• Highly adept in the use of technology, including AI & project management systems.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Experience developing & delivering education/career information in various formats.
• Knowledge of issues affecting the academic potential of low income, at-risk, first-generation college-bound youth.
• One-year experience in career counseling and use/application of assessment instruments and diagnostic tests.
• Ability to express effectively both in written and oral communications.
• A passion for educational outreach and working with youth and adults.

Preferred Qualifications

• A graduate degree in a related field.
• 5 years of personnel supervisory experience.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience using social media.
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
• Experience TRIO programs, or other federally funded grant programs.
• Experience with project management.
• Knowledge of critical systems: JotForms, Google Workspace, & Lacai Database
• In-depth knowledge of TRIO regulations.

Travel Requirements

There is local travel required within the target area of the project on a daily or weekly basis. There are field trips to locations outside the target area that can require overnight stay. Once or twice per year, staff may be expected to attend a conference or training that requires overnight travel.

Physical Demands

Must be able to lift and carry 40 lbs., to stand and walk for long periods of time, to endure strong heat and cold, to climb stairs and to fly on airplane. Must be able to project voice and speak publicly. Must be able to drive a vehicle, read road signs, judge distance, spend extensive hours in front of a computer screen. Must be able to listen carefully to others on the telephone.

Reports to

CEO

Opportunity Resource Services is committed to a policy of providing employment opportunities to all qualified people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.