What are the responsibilities and job description for the X96489 Gear Up Project Director position at Northeastern State University?
X96489 GEAR UP Project Director
Job Summary
This position will be responsible for directing NSU’s Gear Up program and is responsible for the implementation, oversight, reporting, and evaluative functions of the program. The Gear Up Program Director will work with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) to assist and support the specified Local Education Agencies’ (LEA) 7-12-grade students with college preparation and career goals and options. Additionally, they will work with parents, high school counselors and faculty, and administrators to meet program goals such as college entrance requirements, financial planning, scholarships, and support services. Along with K-12 responsibilities, this position will also serve students as they transition into NSU during their freshman and sophomore years of college. The Director will supervise three college coaches and will oversee services in Grove, Jay, Locust Grove, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Tahlequah, Stillwell, and at NSU (both Tahlequah and Broken Arrow Campuses).
MAJOR DUTIES
Serve as coach support and development expert throughout the state as needed.
Directs the day to day program with oversight from the State Regent’s office in order to meet program goals and objectives.
Supervise, train, and oversee the activities of NSU Gear Up College Coaches.
Compiles, completes, and submits required reports.
Completes travel processes and documentation in accordance with NSU policy.
Manages grant funds in partnership with the OSRHE, the NSU Grants Office, NSU Business Affairs, and other key partners.
Represent GEAR UP at high schools, regional university events, and public functions to encourage enrollment of students at the specified four-year regional university.
Work as part of direct student services team in each LEA to develop and carry out a plan for preparing students for success in college.(GEAR UP Education Coordinator, GEAR UP School Specialist, Counselor, faculty, etc.)
Serve as part of the LEA GEAR UP advisory/evaluation board.
Purchase program materials and reconcile expenses according to program and NSU policies.
Assist with and oversee services related to helping GEAR UP students with making college/career plans.
Actively seek to build relationships with NSU contacts, schools, students, and students’ parents to promote higher education and build support for student success.
Provide continual transitioning and academic support for GEAR UP students during the first year of their higher education process.
Schedule and pre-plan GEAR UP high school college day visits on campus.
Conduct campus tours and conference with GEAR UP students and parents whenever they visit the college campus.
Communicate admission policies to GEAR UP students, parents, school administrators, counselors, and faculty.
Evaluate high school transcripts to determine eligibility for admission to the specified college.
Assist with the GEAR UP students specified college admission, financial aid, student support, and academic process.
Track GEAR UP graduating seniors at the specified college.
Develop intervention strategies to assist GEAR UP students with college success and completion.
Work with college staff, faculty, and administrators to provide support to GEAR UP students.
Work with the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) to identify students at-risk for non-completion of their degree or for students who have completed significant hours with no degree.
Work with targeted GEAR UP students on degree completion activities.
Utilize Gear Up systems such as the OK GEAR UP TREK system, UCOACH, and scheduling systems to assist in accountability documentation and student services.
Attend OK GEAR UP Staff Huddle meetings in the Oklahoma City office on a monthly basis or as needed for specialized training and development.
Assist the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students in providing an annual budget report of GEAR UP expenses and available funds to the Grant Administrator in the OK GEAR UP Office.
Provide calendar documentation of activities to the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator and keep the administrator informed as to the progress of goals and any assistance that might be needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge Required By The Position
Knowledge of college services, including financial aid, degree completion activities, academic support programs, and admissions policies.
A clear understanding of the needs of GEAR UP qualified students at the high schools and specified college.
Strong oral and written communication.
Skilled at delivering presentations to both small and large groups.
Knowledge of federal grant regulations, state policies, and NSU policies.
Knowledge of Gear Up services, goals, objectives.
Competency with electronic record-keeping and communication systems.
Skilled at developing relationships with 7th - 12th grade students and college students.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The GEAR UP Program Director and their university supervisor (Student Affairs AVP/Dean of Students) will have the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator as their point of contact with OK GEAR UP. The university supervisor and OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator assign work regarding goals and objectives. The supervisor(s) reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities. The program director will supervise three NSU college coaches.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include GEAR UP regulations, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions, grant requirements, and university policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK
This position will work with students from GEAR UP schools in the areas of identifying student support services that will aid in the transition to college. The College Coach will assist the college in tracking and understanding the perspective of a GEAR UP student and will work with specified college staff to implement degree completion activities.
CONTACTS
Contacts are typically with Gear UP Staff, students, college and high school staff, faculty, and administrators, and the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator.
Contacts are typically to provide services, to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, or to motivate or influence people.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or intermittently standing and walking. There is significant travel and time spent driving in the position. The employee may lift light and occasionally heavy objects and is required to maintain and carry an active cellular phone.
The work is typically performed in an office, outdoors, in noisy areas, and in LEAs.
Travel between the NSU Tahlequah and BA campuses, along with travel to identified schools, conferences (both in and out of state), and other in-state travel for programmatic meetings is required.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
This position supervises three NSU College Coaches.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
Experience working with high school and college-age students is necessary.
Demonstrate the ability to use independent judgment and also show organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
The successful candidate must provide a cellular phone for work-related activities and be willing to travel.
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Oklahoma for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s preferred.
Gear-Up Experience Preferred.
Leadership experience preferred.
Knowledge of Northeastern State University's admissions requirements, programs, and degrees is
preferred.
Knowledge of Oklahoma’s Promise and financial aid is preferred.
Annual salary $50,000.00 with excellent benefits, including generous leave time.
Anticipated hire date: 08/03/2026
Applications will be accepted until: 07/19/2026
NOTE: Posting will close to applicants at 11:59 p.m., CST, on the date above. An application cannot be changed after it has been submitted. To complete the application process, it is critical to create a profile.
Notice to applicants
It is Northeastern State University’s policy that all newly hired employees must provide an original social security card during the hiring process. Failure to provide an original social security card will delay the hiring process and the ability to begin employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Job Summary
This position will be responsible for directing NSU’s Gear Up program and is responsible for the implementation, oversight, reporting, and evaluative functions of the program. The Gear Up Program Director will work with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) to assist and support the specified Local Education Agencies’ (LEA) 7-12-grade students with college preparation and career goals and options. Additionally, they will work with parents, high school counselors and faculty, and administrators to meet program goals such as college entrance requirements, financial planning, scholarships, and support services. Along with K-12 responsibilities, this position will also serve students as they transition into NSU during their freshman and sophomore years of college. The Director will supervise three college coaches and will oversee services in Grove, Jay, Locust Grove, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Tahlequah, Stillwell, and at NSU (both Tahlequah and Broken Arrow Campuses).
MAJOR DUTIES
Serve as coach support and development expert throughout the state as needed.
Directs the day to day program with oversight from the State Regent’s office in order to meet program goals and objectives.
Supervise, train, and oversee the activities of NSU Gear Up College Coaches.
Compiles, completes, and submits required reports.
Completes travel processes and documentation in accordance with NSU policy.
Manages grant funds in partnership with the OSRHE, the NSU Grants Office, NSU Business Affairs, and other key partners.
Represent GEAR UP at high schools, regional university events, and public functions to encourage enrollment of students at the specified four-year regional university.
Work as part of direct student services team in each LEA to develop and carry out a plan for preparing students for success in college.(GEAR UP Education Coordinator, GEAR UP School Specialist, Counselor, faculty, etc.)
Serve as part of the LEA GEAR UP advisory/evaluation board.
Purchase program materials and reconcile expenses according to program and NSU policies.
Assist with and oversee services related to helping GEAR UP students with making college/career plans.
Actively seek to build relationships with NSU contacts, schools, students, and students’ parents to promote higher education and build support for student success.
Provide continual transitioning and academic support for GEAR UP students during the first year of their higher education process.
Schedule and pre-plan GEAR UP high school college day visits on campus.
Conduct campus tours and conference with GEAR UP students and parents whenever they visit the college campus.
Communicate admission policies to GEAR UP students, parents, school administrators, counselors, and faculty.
Evaluate high school transcripts to determine eligibility for admission to the specified college.
Assist with the GEAR UP students specified college admission, financial aid, student support, and academic process.
Track GEAR UP graduating seniors at the specified college.
Develop intervention strategies to assist GEAR UP students with college success and completion.
Work with college staff, faculty, and administrators to provide support to GEAR UP students.
Work with the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) to identify students at-risk for non-completion of their degree or for students who have completed significant hours with no degree.
Work with targeted GEAR UP students on degree completion activities.
Utilize Gear Up systems such as the OK GEAR UP TREK system, UCOACH, and scheduling systems to assist in accountability documentation and student services.
Attend OK GEAR UP Staff Huddle meetings in the Oklahoma City office on a monthly basis or as needed for specialized training and development.
Assist the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students in providing an annual budget report of GEAR UP expenses and available funds to the Grant Administrator in the OK GEAR UP Office.
Provide calendar documentation of activities to the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator and keep the administrator informed as to the progress of goals and any assistance that might be needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge Required By The Position
Knowledge of college services, including financial aid, degree completion activities, academic support programs, and admissions policies.
A clear understanding of the needs of GEAR UP qualified students at the high schools and specified college.
Strong oral and written communication.
Skilled at delivering presentations to both small and large groups.
Knowledge of federal grant regulations, state policies, and NSU policies.
Knowledge of Gear Up services, goals, objectives.
Competency with electronic record-keeping and communication systems.
Skilled at developing relationships with 7th - 12th grade students and college students.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The GEAR UP Program Director and their university supervisor (Student Affairs AVP/Dean of Students) will have the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator as their point of contact with OK GEAR UP. The university supervisor and OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator assign work regarding goals and objectives. The supervisor(s) reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities. The program director will supervise three NSU college coaches.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include GEAR UP regulations, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions, grant requirements, and university policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK
This position will work with students from GEAR UP schools in the areas of identifying student support services that will aid in the transition to college. The College Coach will assist the college in tracking and understanding the perspective of a GEAR UP student and will work with specified college staff to implement degree completion activities.
CONTACTS
Contacts are typically with Gear UP Staff, students, college and high school staff, faculty, and administrators, and the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator.
Contacts are typically to provide services, to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, or to motivate or influence people.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or intermittently standing and walking. There is significant travel and time spent driving in the position. The employee may lift light and occasionally heavy objects and is required to maintain and carry an active cellular phone.
The work is typically performed in an office, outdoors, in noisy areas, and in LEAs.
Travel between the NSU Tahlequah and BA campuses, along with travel to identified schools, conferences (both in and out of state), and other in-state travel for programmatic meetings is required.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
This position supervises three NSU College Coaches.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
Experience working with high school and college-age students is necessary.
Demonstrate the ability to use independent judgment and also show organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
The successful candidate must provide a cellular phone for work-related activities and be willing to travel.
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Oklahoma for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s preferred.
Gear-Up Experience Preferred.
Leadership experience preferred.
Knowledge of Northeastern State University's admissions requirements, programs, and degrees is
preferred.
Knowledge of Oklahoma’s Promise and financial aid is preferred.
Annual salary $50,000.00 with excellent benefits, including generous leave time.
Anticipated hire date: 08/03/2026
Applications will be accepted until: 07/19/2026
NOTE: Posting will close to applicants at 11:59 p.m., CST, on the date above. An application cannot be changed after it has been submitted. To complete the application process, it is critical to create a profile.
Notice to applicants
It is Northeastern State University’s policy that all newly hired employees must provide an original social security card during the hiring process. Failure to provide an original social security card will delay the hiring process and the ability to begin employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Salary : $50,000