"Assistant Director, GEAR UP - Mount Wachusett Community College"

General Statement of Duties

The GEAR UP Assistant Director position is funded through a federal US Department of Education grant for GEAR UP, from October 2025 through September 2032, and will be located within the Fitchburg Public Schools. This position provides school based management of student recruitment, activity implementation, data collection and student services as described by the funded Department of Education GEAR UP Grant. Reporting to the project director, this position is responsible for working at GEAR UP schools within the Fitchburg Public School system, working with students, parents, and teachers focusing on college readiness awareness, academic success, community involvement and career path advisement to increase persistence through secondary education and pursuit of post-secondary education.

Responsibilities

Mount Wachusett Community College was recently awarded a federal GEAR UP grant to support the graduating classes of 2031 and 2032 within the Fitchburg Public Schools. The assistant director will be responsible day-to-day supervision of GEAR UP staff, management and quality assurance of all recruitment and activities, student services and oversight of data collection with school-based staff.

The grant focuses on engagement of underserved students in opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge to pursue the education and training that will ultimately lead to their success in life and work. This position reports to the Director of GEAR UP, in the college's Division of Access & Transition, which is comprised of a dynamic group of individuals committed to furthering access and exposure to higher education for youth in our region.

Grant Management & Implementation

• In coordination with the Director, manage project activities to ensure implementation and service delivery as described by the funded grant
• Provide school-based quality assurance of project data collection
• Directly responsible for working with school districts, the family/parent liaison program aide, and the Communication Specialist to increase parental involvement through educational programming, outreach, material distribution and community involvement
• Coordinate project activities and recruitment in partnership with school guidance and administration to ensure appropriate referrals and high level of student participation
• Determine the educational needs of participants, and in concert with unit staff members and students/families, develop student success plans for each student
• Ensure individual student files are maintained in accordance with GEAR UP regulations
• Provide school based oversight of staff schedules and project activities with Director; review data, services and project activities weekly
• With Director, conduct bi-weekly school based staff meetings
• Participate in meetings at MWCC and off campus as they pertain to the project, students and staff as requested.
• Promotes and sustains positive working relationships with school guidance departments, principals, and community representatives
• Develop and present curriculum for educational workshops in coordination with unit staff members
• Oversee the coordination of project activities and student trips by GU staff members, ensuring grant compliance
• Write and submit reports as requested by Director
• Participate in performance evaluation of appropriate staff
• Performs other duties as assigned

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Master degree in counseling or related field or currently enrolled in a Master's Program required.
• 5 years of experience and/or training including career counseling / academic advising / project administration or grant coordination required.
• Minimum of two years' experience with low-income, disadvantaged and/or multicultural middle or high school youth required.
• CORI/SORI check and district fingerprinting required.

Desired Qualifications

• Administrative and supervisory experience preferred, preferably from a grant funded project.
• Ability to interact with diverse constituencies including school personnel, agencies, higher education, parents/guardians and other civic and community organizations.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred

Equivalency Statement

Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

Additional Information

Salary: $65,000.00-$73,000.00

Employee Status: Full Time Grant Funded - Grant End Date 9/2032
Benefits: Yes
Hours per Week: 37.5
Number of Weeks: 52