The Program Director for the Upward Bound (UB) program works with first-generation low-income high school students in Fort Worth, TX. The Program Director provides leadership for a team that recruits students from a target area high school, provides after-school college readiness services, plans field trips and events, and facilitates a six-week summer program. The Project Director is responsible for successfully implementing strategic plans for meeting project objectives, and overseeing all aspects of the UB program, including staffing, staff training, budgeting, and decision-making that ultimately results in a successful program. The Program Director strives every day to ensure program participants complete high school and enroll in a program of post-secondary education.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Administrative

• Ensure all programming, publications, and staff members reflect positively on the organization
• Provide strategy to the team for reaching project objectives
• Ensure regulatory compliance
• Ensure all grant-related assurances and progress metrics are met
• Lead weekly staff meetings and other ad-hoc meetings
• Update annual budgets and budget narratives
• Review, approve, and submit Annual Progress Reports
• Audit student database and participant records for accuracy
• Ensure records of grant-related expenses, audits, Annual Reports, and other grant-related reports are appropriately retained
• Submit reports to the Department of Education (i.e., Budgets and budget narratives, audit reports, etc.)
• Review and approve project-related expense requests
• Review and approve time and effort reports for team members
• Hire and train staff
• Provide appropriate development and supervision of team members
• Lead project management process
• Stakeholder & key partner management (i.e., build epic partnerships)

Student Development

• Attend the after-school program and field trips to ensure high-quality service delivery
• Provide creative insights to improve student services and maximize program impact
• Support the development of students by teaching courses, providing college readiness services, and mentoring as needed

Programming

• Review and approve plans for field trips to colleges, universities, cultural sites, and other sociocultural activities
• Direct planning for the six-week summer program, summer courses, and related summer activities
• Review and approve participant applications
• Review evaluation reports ensuring high-quality programming

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling or related field, background similar to students (first-generation / low-income), five years' experience in managing or implementing educational programs, five years’ budget experience, and knowledge of fiscal matters, five years' experience working with youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, five years’ personnel supervisory experience, and demonstrated knowledge of federal grants management & grants compliance. Candidates must be highly adept in the use of technology, including content management website tools, Google application suite, and the use of social media. The project will consider less than five years of experience in the above categories with a demonstration of other exceptional experiences or training.

Preferred Qualifications: In addition to minimum qualifications, the preferred qualifications for the Program Director include a Master’s degree, experience in managing TRIO Programs, experience working in higher education, and project management experience. Preferred candidates will also possess excellent written and oral presentation skills, the ability to work independently in a results-oriented environment, knowledge of Upward Bound regulations, and personal experience overcoming barriers similar to those confronting the project’s target population.

Travel Requirements: Candidates must be willing to travel with students on events, including overnight. In a typical year, Upward Bound staff will facilitate six field trips during the academic school year and six field trips during the six-week summer program. One of the trips during the summer is a multiday event often requiring travel out of state. The overall percentage of work that includes travel is estimated at 25%.

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

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.