Director, GEAR UP

Job Summary

Develops and implements the Gearing Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Coordinates programs and activities at designated middle and high schools which inform students, parents/guardians and the community of post-secondary educational programs at colleges and universities and preparation for these programs. Monitors programmatic activities and financial expenditures. Ensures that all programmatic activities are in compliance with governmental mandates.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates the planning and implementation of GEAR UP initiatives; develops and strengthens the partnership and maintains a cooperative and effective relationship; ensures that matters of mutual concern are resolved in an affable manner.
• Convenes and chairs the meetings of the GEAR UP partners; plans and directs the establishment of procedures which will ensure program compliance with federal mandates; discusses the most complex programmatic problems; reviews and approves plans for implementing policies.
• Interprets the program’s goals and objectives to the community through conferences and workshops with individuals and groups; promotes the GEAR UP program; ensures that GEAR UP accomplishments and activities are communicated to internal and external audiences through a website and newsletter.
• Covers the coordination and monitoring of program implementation; develops and implements a timetable to achieve short and long-term goals; ensures that GEAR UP activities are aligned with other School District initiatives; determines the need to modify or expand the range of programmatic activities and makes recommendations to GEAR UP partners accordingly.
• Completes the annual performance report for the United States Department of Education; prepares and submits other reports to senior management.
• Serves as a liaison to GEAR UP school administrators, external evaluators and the Deputy Chief.
• Manages the project budget; prepares annual budget estimates for the GEAR UP program.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree program from an accredited college or university.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional administrative experience, which has involved working in an educational setting and has included managing grants and working with community or corporate partners, at least five of which have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of: the current practices, methods and techniques utilized in the implementation of post secondary readiness initiatives.
• The methods and techniques used in effective program planning, design and administration.
• School reform initiatives and current issues facing urban public education.
• Governmental mandates impacting education.
• Theories and principles of adolescent growth and development.
• Supervisory methods and techniques.
• Budgetary practices and procedures.
• Software applications used to maintain databases.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nondiscrimination The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.