Arizona GEAR UP is looking for someone to fill our Middle Grade Program Manager position.
To apply, visit the job posting on LinkedIn or create an account on NAU’s hiring portal.
Job Description
The Middle Grade Program Manager position is accountable for expanding, managing, and delivering GEAR UP activities and programs to middle-grade schools in Arizona. These schools are feeders to the grant’s 5E partner, and other A60 high schools (please see NAU GEAR-UP website for more information on these partners/schools). The position is responsible for ensuring effective use of the Arizona GEAR UP Discover Guide; promoting Career and College Clubs in GEAR UP 5E feeder schools, and middle-to-high school transition activities; overseeing planning of an annual residential program for high school students, and facilitating an online, middle-grade College Access Professionals course to educators in the targeted schools. The Program Manager works under the direction and supervision of the Assistant Director.
Like all positions in the State GEAR UP Office, the Program Manager is an important member of a team of staff serving the grant under the leadership of the Director, College of Education and NAU. The individual interacts regularly and diplomatically with a diverse group of internal and external constituents.
The ideal candidate is also deeply committed to expanding equity and access to early college and career awareness activities among underrepresented populations.
This position requires out-of-state travel to conferences once or twice annually, in-state travel to Flagstaff, and to schools that may be located in rural communities in Arizona.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manages the planning and implementation of AZ GEAR UP middle-grade services to meet grant objectives
- Establishes target goals, annually, for dissemination and use of Discover Guides; establishment of CC Clubs in GEAR UP 5E middle schools; and CAP course offerings
- In collaboration with supervisor, establishes and implements a plan, annually, to expand or enhance transition activities between feeder middle schools and GEAR UP 5E high schools
- Develops, plans, and conducts workshops with educators on use of the Discover Guide, including minimum standards and reporting requirements
- Informs schools of Career and College Clubs, and the opportunity and means to partner with NCCEP to establish Clubs with GEAR UP support
- Facilitates the six-week online CAP course, “College and Career Advising in the Middle Grades” to educators in targeted schools
- Manages the development of internal systems and procedures for delivery of the Discover Guides, and other programs and services
- Serves as a key resource in promoting coordinated, cohesive delivery of partners’ program services in middle-grade schools, including expansion of CC Clubs and other partner middle-grade services
- Works with supervisor to identify and collect data needed, annually, for reporting and evaluation purposes
- Liaises with middle school staff and administrators in developing, planning, and implementing services.
- Provides guidance to the communications team on development of information flyers, internal forms and various materials to facilitate GEAR UP middle-grade programs and services
- Collaborates with staff, administrators, and partners to promote coordination of middle-grade services to feeder schools within the A60 GEAR UP network
- Directs and oversees planning and implementation of an annual residential summer program for high school students.
- Participates as a member of various middle-grade initiatives, and represents GEAR UP at various meetings and external functions, and cultivates collaborative relationships
- Visits middle schools to support and monitor progress
- Prepares specialized reports on outcomes as assigned
- May be assigned other projects and responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling or related field required AND
- 2-4 years’ of relevant experience including 1-2 years’ experience with college-access programs, initiatives, services, etc., OR
- Any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of program administration
- Skill in planning and implementing large-scale, broad-based programs
- Knowledge of functions and challenges of K-12 schools
- Experience creating and sustaining partnerships in educational settings
- Experience with early college access programs, services, and activities
- Excellent organizational, training and presentation skills
- Highly resourceful in accessing, using and managing data to meet objectives
- Commitment to providing exceptional customer service
- Ability to work effectively with academic leaders and administrative staff to accomplish goals and outcomes
- Skill in program development and execution
- Skill in establishing and managing multiple priorities with attention to detail
- Ability to analyze problems and make well-reasoned, sound decisions
- Ability to take initiative and work with minimal guidance and supervision
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with different constituencies and ability to work with individuals or groups with diverse backgrounds and experience levels