"Upward Bound Program Director"

The Mills Institute Upward Bound Program (MIUB) is a federally funded college preparatory program that offers assistance to low-income and first-generation college-bound students. MIUB is dedicated to helping participating students in the Oakland Unified and West Contra Costa Unified School Districts graduate from high school with a solid foundation necessary for entering college (i.e., completion of required coursework and possession of a strong GPA) as well as supporting the college application process. MIUB supports participants during their college years to ensure persistence and, ultimately, graduation. The Mills Institute Upward Bound Program is one of the oldest and largest in the country and is central to the Institute's commitments to educational equity, and gender and racial justice.

The Upward Bound Program Director has overall responsibility for MIUB, including recruitment and selection of students; hiring and evaluating staff; managing the budget; overseeing the curriculum and workshops; evaluating diagnostic tests; coordinating the project evaluation; preparing proposals and reports and attend meetings to represent the program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven history of successful grant writing and development, and expertise in budget management. Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with low income first generation (LIFG) students.
• Familiarity with target areas of Oakland and West Contra Costa and community resources. Understanding of the needs of families from diverse, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of personnel training and development.
• Counseling, supervisory, and residential experience.
• Experience with database operations and in filing Federal reports such as APR.
• Knowledge and prior utilization of Blumen Database and other office applications such as FileMaker, Microsoft Access, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of TRIO Programs, Federal Regulations, US Dept of Education policies and procedures.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Must have a valid California driver's license and safe driving record.
• Knowledge and skills required for this position are typically acquired through the completion of a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Education or related field with five to seven years equivalent work experience for a UB/TRIO/Educational Equity Program of similar size and scope that includes a summer residential program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Serve as a liaison to the target schools, community agencies, and general public. Articulate the mission and vision of Upward Bound (UB) with the students and parents of partner schools to build the program and recruit students. Inspire the next generation of students to come and participate in Upward Bound. (10%)
• Recruit, train, supervise and develop advisors and residential staff associated with the program. Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate counseling and office staff. Confer regularly with staff to plan and coordinate activities, assign and review work, assist with difficult or unusual tasks, resolve problems as needed. Conduct and document the student recruitment process, career & academic counseling services, caseload contact and evaluation reports. (10%)
• Plan, implement, administer, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the various specific activities, functions, and services of the Upward Bound Program, including operating policies and procedures. Coordinate the development and modification of program goals, objectives, services, activities, and policies, in accordance with student needs, institutional objectives and resources, and funding agency requirements. Play a key role in a variety of key research and planning tasks associated with the program, typically involving developing program goals and specific plans for implementing goals. Identify and secure classrooms, tutorial facilities, textbooks, and other classroom needs as needed for the summer program. Supervise the planning of college visits for seniors and provide transportation if needed. Serve as a general education and behavioral consultant for staff, parents, and school personnel. Supervise the carrying out of postsecondary placement of students and provide assistance to students and families throughout the college application and financial aid application process. Recruit and select scholarship recipients and manage scholarship distribution. (20%)
• Manage the UB budget in accordance with all grant requirements and the requirements of Mills Institute. In collaboration with the Associate Director, plan and implement the summer residential program, including evaluating appropriate academic class levels for students, scheduling the academic program, hiring summer staff, developing job sites, planning group excursions and projects, making all necessary arrangements for use of residence halls, dining halls and other campus facilities, preparing a handbook on the summer program, and communicating with parents. Reside in the residence hall and supervise residential and academic activities during the summer program. (20%)
• In partnership with the Executive Director and Grant Writer, prepare and submit the federal Upward Bound grant and other grants that support the mission of the Mills Institute Upward Bound Program. Attend relevant local, regional, and national professional meetings, partnership meetings and funding events. Serve as liaison to admissions, financial aid, housing, and recreational departments on campus as necessary to support the UB mission. (15%)
• Manage a variety of on-going administrative tasks associated with the program, such as designing and maintaining appropriate records systems, preparing reports on program activities and status for funding agency, designing, and implementing appropriate program and staff evaluation processes to ensure compliance with Department of Education requirements. (15%)
• Lead the Upward Bound graduation ceremony, team building sessions, and other key events during the year, including occasional weekends and evening commitments. (15%)
• Other duties as assigned.