Director of GEAR UP Program

Job Summary

Concord University seeks a dynamic and effective leader to serve as Director for the Southern West Virginia GEAR UP Partnership grant serving five school districts, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming County Schools.

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded project supported by the US Department of Education. The goal of GEAR UP is to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. In addition to direct services to identified students and parents in target schools, GEAR UP provides training and support for administrators and teachers at secondary schools.

This is a twelve-month, full-time position, contingent upon continued external funding.
The position reports to the Concord University Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Director of Federal Programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Accountability for use of all U.S. Department of Education grant monies, budgets, purchases and requisitions, and primary liaison during the annual audit
• Final approval for local school district work plans and reimbursements
• Preparation of performance reports
• Supervision of all permanent grant personnel
• Making policy recommendations to local, state, and national agencies based on evaluation
• Provide oversight to evaluation efforts and project performance
• Ensure progress is made overall and provide additional mechanisms for course-corrections as needed as part of the Leadership Team which is comprised of the PI, Director, Assistant Director, and Finance Associate.
• Primary liaison to the external evaluator
• Devote 100% time and effort to the project to ensure successful implementation and management of GU.
• Provide final approval for all partner positions
• The director will maintain regular and ongoing communication with all identified partners.
• Membership of Public School Partnership Governing Board
• Additional duties as assigned.

Education/Knowledge
Minimum Education: Master’s
Required Licenses/Certification Master’s degree or higher in Education Management, Public Administration, or a related field, and/or demonstrated success in administering federal grant programs.

The selected applicant must be approved by the United States Department of Education prior to employment.

Required Skills

At a minimum, the successful applicant for this position must possess:

• 5-10 years of achievement and proven leadership in administrative positions
• Experience working with federal grants or federal funds
• A working knowledge of the federal and state statutes, regulations and guidelines that govern federally funded grants
• Superior organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• An overall track record of professional experience demonstrating success in positions of progressively increasing responsibility and authority, including personnel and fiscal management, evaluation, and strategic planning
• Preferred GEAR UP experience

Required Experience

Type of experience Needed: Experience working with federal grants or federal funds

Amount of Experience Needed (Months/Years): More than 5 years

Additional Information

Concord University is a public comprehensive university with a rich history as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in West Virginia. Founded in 1872 as a state Normal School to prepare teachers, Concord University (CU) is a public, career focused institution located in rural southern West Virginia.

Concord University (CU) offers talented individuals a wide array of fulfilling career opportunities from entry through academic or administrative professional levels. To maintain an outstanding talent pool, we employ individuals regionally, nationally, and internationally to attract top candidates.

If you are looking for more than just a job, then I encourage you to browse our website and visit our job opportunities regularly. Learn more about Concord University and why it should be your first choice, not only for quality educational opportunities but also for exemplary employment.

Applications will only be accepted through Concord University’s online application site at https://jobs.concord.edu/. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

We are committed to attracting and retaining quality faculty and staff. In doing so, Concord University offers outstanding benefit packages including:

• Work week of 37.5 hrs.
• Holidays – Employees receive 13-14 Paid Holidays Annually
• Annual and Sick Leave –Staff earn up to 24 days of annual leave per year (max 360 hours) and up to 18 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance – Concord University offers health insurance through West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA).
• Tuition and Fee Waivers- Professional development and education opportunities including tuition waiver program for employees, spouse, and eligible dependents.
• Retirement Plans – TIAA’s automatic retirement plan is a 401(a) plan into which six (6) percent of the employee’s total salary is automatically withheld pre-tax and deposited into the employee’s TIAA retirement account. The university matches the employees 6% contribution
• Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance ($10,000) at no cost and may purchase optional life insurance coverage with pre-tax earnings.
• Mountaineer Flexible Benefits. This is an IRS approved, tax free account that saves money on eligible health, medical, dental, and dependent care expenses.
• Annual Increment Pay

Quick Link to Posting https://jobs.concord.edu/postings/2855