Director – Upward Bound

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

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Job Summary

The Director of TRIO Upward Bound Programs is the primary liaison between the TRIO Upward Bound Programs and University administrators, faculty, public school district partners, participants, parents, and community representatives interested in the TRIO Upward Bound programs. The Director of TRIO Upward Bound Programs ensures that the programs meet established goals, objectives, and federal guidelines and is responsible for program development, implementation, and management of day-to-day operations, planning, supervision and evaluation of programs and program staff, budgeting, maintaining appropriate program records, and preparing and submitting time and effort reports and mandated compliance reports. The Director of TRIO Upward Bound Programs ensures awareness and understanding of TRIO, pre-collegiate, post-secondary/higher education, post-degree graduate, community, and local educational programs by providing presentations and networking.

This is a grant funded position. When funding ceases position ends.

Job Duties

• Ensures that the TRIO Upward Bound programs are understood and accepted as an integral part of the University community by representing the program in formal and informal venues, facilitating communication and discussion regarding the TRIO Upward Bound Program’s operations and goals and the needs of Upward Bound participants, conducting research, managing all administrative tasks and operations to comply with program requirements, and reporting research findings in formal and informal venues.

• Assures that the programs for participants (Upward Bound students, parents, families, schools, community, etc.) are organized, monitored, and managed to meet goals and objectives by designing, developing and directing all facets of the Upward Bound Program under policies and procedures which ensure they are conducted in compliance with the U.S. Department of Education program guidelines and the specific requirements contained in the Saint Louis University grant proposals, reporting data as needed and required, tracking expenditures and keeping financial records in accordance with federal guidelines, ensuring that all student records are complete, current, and confidential, reviewing TRIO Upward Bound Program materials, monitoring programming content, schedules, and budgets against program criteria, preparing federal reports, preparing the continuation proposal, and attending meetings with the U.S. Department of Education Office at the request of leadership.

• Ensures that unit data is collected to establish patterns of employee performance and fiscal return on investment for all programs and collaborative initiatives and reports such data quarterly and annually to leadership.

• Ensures that eligible students can fully utilize the TRIO Upward Bound programs by interviewing interested students and collecting and reporting data to assess the effectiveness of program components and performing other evaluations of the impact of the TRIO Upward Bound programs.

• Establishes and maintains close working relationships with various University representatives, the federal government (Department of Education), target schools’ faculty and administrators, and community agencies.

• Assures the development and operation of an effective tracking and monitoring system for the TRIO Upward Bound Programs coordinating with staff to ensure that all required tracking and monitoring systems are maintained and fully utilized.

• Effectively manages the program by ensuring that the TRIO Upward Bound Program meets all grant obligations in a timely manner to allow the preparation and submission of all necessary U.S. Department of Education reports.

• Documents the progress of TRIO Upward Bound Programs in achieving its funded objectives by coordination and evaluation of the project.

• Develops a competent and effective staff by recruiting, selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating staff members in compliance with the University’s established Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity policies.

• Represents the Upward Bound programs by attending appropriate meetings, on and off campus.

• Works to secure funding for the continuation of the TRIO Upward Bound Programs by suggesting research studies and working closely with leadership to coordinate/commission the writing of grant proposals.

• Facilitates the development of activities and programs designed to encourage underrepresented populations to overcome barriers to postsecondary education by assisting leadership with program preparation and implementation of funding opportunities.

• Provides direct academic support services to Upward Bound and participants and supervises participants at activities, cultural events, and cultural trips.

• Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by leadership.

• Ensures the success of the TRIO Upward Bound programs by performing all other duties as assigned by leadership.

• Responsible for interpreting and implementing new and current program regulations within the U. S. Department of Education. Monitors project progress toward achieving objectives and documents program performance. Review all communication from the Council for Opportunity in Education, representatives and senators, and other TRIO personnel across the country.

Knowledge and Skills

• Administrative experience in managerial and leadership roles in K-12 schools 

• Experience working with TRIO programs; and similar experience working with low-income, first-generation, minority students; students from diverse backgrounds; and students with disabilities

• Knowledge of database preparation and maintenance

• Ability to relate/interact with diverse student populations, institutional personnel, and the public 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective, team-oriented, working relationships

• Ability to assess situations/needs and assist accordingly

• Ability to assess situations and exercise of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance

• Ability to organize time, projects, and details 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Ability to operate a personal computer and various software programs

• Ability to prepare and generate reports

• Ability to organize and maintain accurate records and files

• Ability to multi-task

• Adheres to strict confidentiality

• Strong written and verbal communications skills

Applicants must include: 1) a cover letter; 2) a resume/curriculum vitae.  You can upload these items on the third page “My experience” of the application.

Minimum Qualifications

A master’s degree in business administration, organization development, educational administration, academic/career counseling, educational leadership, or a related field. At least (3) three years of experience in educational program management, personnel management, and fiscal management. 

Ability and experience in writing grant proposals is preferred. 

Function

Staff Program Support

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. We welcome and encourage applications from minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities (including disabled veterans). If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.