What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of the Upward Bound Project position at McNeese State University?
Position/Application Information
McNeese State University invites qualified applicants for the position of Director of the Upward Bound Project. This is a full-time, 12–month, grant funded, unclassified position. The appointment is available to begin as early as August 3, 2026.
Position Number: U99161
Salary: $59,141 - $61,141 (non-negotiable)
Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND MATERIALS: For the application process, applicants MUST complete an electronic application and upload required documents listed below:
- Letter of Application (Cover Letter)
- Resume
- Three References (Include: name, phone number, and email address)
- Unofficial Transcripts
Only completed application packets including all items listed above will be reviewed.
ALL JOB OFFERS ARE CONTINGENT UPON THE SUCCESSFUL RESULT OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND RECEIPT OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) IF APPLICABLE.
TO APPLY FOR THIS VACANCY, click on the “APPLY” button at the top of advertisement to complete the electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. *Required application materials WILL NOT be accepted after the deadline, if applicable. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS POSITION, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHAIR:
Meghan Olinger at molinger@mcneese.edu
Office of Human Resources Contact:
Kim Dronett, HR Analyst/Recruitment kdronett@mcneese.edu or (337) 475-5413
Position Duties/Responsibilities
Upward Bound is a department within the Student Services branch of the Division of Administrative and Student Affairs. The Project Director reports to the Dean of Student Support & Advocacy.
The Project Director is responsible for the following job functions:
- Recruit target students for program services
- Provide personal, career, academic, and financial aid counseling to program participants
- Conduct plan of student needs assessment and creates a plan of action
- Provide documentation to participants and their parents/guardian regarding the program, services, activities, and student responsibilities
- Manage the Upward Bound program by grant writing, selecting participants, managing, and tracking federal funds
- Build relationships between university and community to provide support for participants
- Update the tracking system
- Maintain accurate and complete participant records
- Implement all project activities toward accomplishing project objectives
- Conduct project evaluations
- Conduct all duties in a manner which provides a positive reflection of the University
- Hire, supervise, and coach staff according to university, state, and federal policies
- Create/modify departmental policies in accordance with university, state, and federal regulations
- Complete all reporting required by the Department of Education
- Complete all reporting required by the University
- Build a mutually beneficial positive working relationships with high schools and community organizations
- Build a mutually beneficial positive working relationship with counterparts at other universities
- Represent the department or University on campus and community committees as assign
- Manage the program budget and assure that expenditures are in accordance with University and Federal regulations
Required/Preferred Qualifications
Required:
- Master’s Degree
- Five or more years’ experience working in K-12 or higher education
- Three or more years supervisory experience
- Experience with program development, implementation, budgeting, and evaluation
- Familiarity with state standardized testing, college entrance exams, and high school graduation requirements
- Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds
- Experience counseling high school students on college preparedness
- Strong verbal and written communications skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant computer applications
Preferred:
- Prior experience working with the Upward Bound program or other TRIO program as an administrator, teacher/student, or participant
- Knowledge of McNeese State University and the University of Louisiana System
General University information
McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a public university and a member of the University of Louisiana System. Under Louisiana law, applications and all supporting materials will become public record. All applicants are expected to submit complete and accurate materials as specified in the position announcement. A background check and an English Proficiency assessment (Faculty Only) will be conducted on selected finalists. We comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 49:1001, et seq, and State of Louisiana Executive Order 98-38, which provides for drug testing of employees, appointees, prospective employees, and prospective appointees. Prospective employees and employees are informed if a drug test is required.
McNeese State University is an AA/EEO/ADA employer committed to excellence through diversity and a SAME agency (State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities) for the State of Louisiana.
Persons requesting accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Office of Campus Compliance and Civility at least 72 hours before the event. Additional information is available from the Office of Campus Compliance and Civility, located in the Burton Business Center, Suite 407, by phone at 337-475-5428, by fax at 337-475-5603, or by email atcompliance@mcneese.edu.?
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires McNeese State University to inform applicants that the University can employ only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Each new employee is required to present documentation verifying his/her identity and right to accept employment. McNeese participates in E-Verify.
Louisiana Revised Statute 42:31-“Eligibility requirements for certain unclassified employees”-requires any person hired or employed in an unclassified position, whose annual salary or rate of compensation is equal to or exceeds one hundred thousand dollars, provide proof to his public employer that he has been issued a Louisiana driver’s license and that all vehicles registered in his name are registered in Louisiana within thirty days of being hired or employed at such salary.
Transcripts from Foreign Universities: Prospective faculty submitting transcripts from foreign universities or schools must have the coursework evaluated for equivalency to United States-accredited coursework by a University-approved agency. The prospective faculty member is responsible for the cost of the evaluation. McNeese typically accepts evaluations by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.www.ece.org.
Salary : $59,141 - $61,141