GEAR UP Site Coordinator - OMS to WVHS, Full-Time, Interim

Gear Up Site Coordinator Position Description

Background

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a pre-college

initiative funded by the US Department of Education. GEAR UP's goals aim to:

• Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education.
• Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education.
• Increase GEAR UP students' and their families' knowledge of postsecondary education options,
  
  

preparation, and financing.

The GEAR UP Site Coordinator is a professional student-support position responsible for managing

daily GEAR UP program operations and activities for students and parents. To implement GEAR UP

services, Site Coordinators are expected to collaborate with school counselors, teachers, the local

community, and collaborative partners. GEAR UP Site Coordinators should leverage the expertise of

others to ensure the most robust services are being provided to students in eligible grades at the identified

GEAR UP target schools.

11-Month Position

Key Responsibilities

• Provide oversight for all GEAR UP activities at the assigned school.
• Maintain ongoing data collection on GEAR UP student academic records and student, family,
  
  

and teacher service participation in an online database, as required by federal program

requirements.

• Ensure accurate and complete records of student data and participation in GEAR UP activities
  
  

and submit documentation (e.g., activity sign in sheets) in a timely manner to the Project Director.

• Prepare and submit comprehensive annual program reports in collaboration with other school
  
  

personnel.

• Implement and coordinate comprehensive college access and success services and programs for
  
  

middle and high school students that include, but are not limited to, academic planning and

preparation, career exploration, tutoring, mentoring, college visits, financial planning, summer

enrichment activities, annual orientation events, and college application completion.

• Encourage eligible students to participate in GEAR UP activities. Compile, analyze, and use
  
  

academic data to support targeted services to individual students.

• Develop and regularly review/update individualized College Access Plans for each student.
• Coordinate work-based learning activities.
• Coordinate the WEB middle school and Link Crew high school transition and leadership
  
  

development programs with teacher leaders.

• Recruit and train students to serve as peer mentors.
• Supervise and provide ongoing support to peer mentors.
• Organize and plan peer mentoring and leadership development activities.
• Create positive relationships with GEAR UP students and families. Provide individual support to
  
  

students to ensure they have access to college and career information and planning tools.

• Provide mentoring and advising for academic success, college readiness skills, and post-high
  
  

school planning to both students and parents.

• Work collaboratively with other GEAR UP staff, school personnel, families, and the local
  
  

community to raise awareness of the benefits of postsecondary education.

• Participate in annual GEAR UP meetings and GEAR UP sponsored professional development
  
  

opportunities.

• Plan and promote GEAR UP sponsored professional development to appropriate school and
  
  

district staff.

• Collaborate with other GEAR UP Site Coordinators to share best practices and promote efficient
  
  

use of resources in meeting GEAR UP goals and objectives.

• Monitor success of the project, including levels of participation, quality of activities and impact
  
  

in terms of student achievement, attendance, educational expectations, and behaviors.

• Provide records or written reports, as needed, to ensure grant compliance.
• Work in collaboration with school and district business office staff to ensure timely and accurate
  
  

submission of expenditures for reimbursement.

• Leverage community resources, solicit in-kind contributions of goods and services, and maintain
  
  

proper records for all expenditures.

• Provide postsecondary transition support.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social work, child development, or related field;
  
  

master's degree preferred.

• At least three years of work experience in teaching, counseling, or similar education programs
  
  

and working with middle or high school students in a school- or community-based setting.

• Strong knowledge of postsecondary education requirements, options, application procedures,
  
  

financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.

• Ability to work effectively with school personnel, parents, community leaders, and students.
• Ability to serve as a role model for students.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to conduct effective
  
  

workshops and presentations.

• Strong program management skills, including demonstrated record of completing tasks on time
  
  

and within budget.

• Commitment to working with young people and to the value of postsecondary education.