Special Information
• This position is subject to grant funding. Incumbent is not eligible for layoff or recall status;
• Position is located in NAU North Valley Phoenix Offices (15601 N. 28th Ave., Suite 136 / Phoenix, AZ 85053);
• This position requires travel, including willingness to drive personal vehicle.
Job Description
• This is a service professional position primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with established Action Plans for a US Office of Education (¿GEAR UP¿) grant. The incumbent provides leadership, direction, guidance and support to school-based staff; strategically targets services to ensure maximum benefit for students in the cohort; and ensures site compliance with work plans and budgets. The incumbent works under the supervision of the Arizona GEAR UP Assistant Director for In-School Partnerships and with participating school principals and GEAR UP Site Teams, including grant-supported Site Coordinators, to assist with successful attainment of grant goals and performance outcomes.
• Description of Duties:
• Facilitates the occurrence of, and participates in, a comprehensive GEAR UP Team process resulting in the development of research -based, data driven work plans unique to each assigned school annually.
• Acts to advance GEAR UP team members' assumption of role and responsibilities relative to successful implementation of work plans within budget guidelines.
• Develops and facilitates training for GEAR UP Site Coordinators on expectations relative to work plan, including adherence to minimum service standards and deadlines to meet project objectives within budget.
• Reviews data submitted by Site Coordinators to ensure accuracy, and follows up to inform Site Coordinators of incomplete or missing data.
• Monitors activities through GEAR UP data base queries; runs and reviews data reports to report on progress towards project objectives.
• Travels to assigned program sites, to confer with school personnel, identify and address needs or concerns, problem-solve, provide technical advice and feedback, discuss grant objective progress, and clarify mission and goals
• Works closely and communicates regularly with Site Coordinators to refine data-collection goals, and promote effective implementation and documentation of activities as well as measures of performance per individual site plan.
• Acts as a resource for appropriate forms and/or methods for documenting GEAR UP in-kind or cash match, in coordination with GEAR UP Assistant Director of Fiscal Operations.
• Provides leadership to promote key GEAR UP interventions, including student mentoring, summer enrichment, rigorous coursework, career guidance, college visits, after-school activities, and parental involvement in student success in accordance with NAU GEAR UP Minimum Standards and Expectations.
• Works with NAU Office to prepare required federal reports; and prepares quarterly progress reports for assigned sites, according to guidelines
• Disseminates admissions, financial aid, and postsecondary-related materials and information to program sites; researches, develops and applies technology and resources to support sites.
• Recommends alternatives to supervisor when performance data indicates trends or situations requiring action to be taken beyond scope of responsibilities.
• Adjusts to changing needs of university operations, federal policies, or need to provide specialized or individualized reports.
• May be assigned other administrative projects and responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree, or higher, in related field such as public administration, education, social work, counseling, etc.
• Two years of combined administrative and direct-services experience.
Preferred Qualifications
• Prefer experience with grant administration and provision of direct-services to disadvantaged populations.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of socioeconomic and academic needs of Arizona students;
• Strong leadership, organizational, teamwork, training and presentation skills;
• Skill in program development and execution;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills;
• Familiarity with Arizona's secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, service agencies and/or financial aid and admissions procedures;
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, with minimal guidance and supervision;
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in setting daily priorities to complete tasks; and
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and ability to work collaboratively with different constituencies, including individuals or groups with diverse experience levels.
General Information
• GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded college access program started in 1999. The purpose of GEAR UP is to significantly increase the number of students from low-income communities who graduate from high school prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary edcuation. Northern Arizona University (NAU) administered both the GEAR UP State Grant and a Partnership Grant from 200-2006. In July 2006, NAU was awarded a second State Grant for the period 2006-2012. In April 2012, NAU was awarded federal funds to administer Arizona GEAR UP 2012-2019 on behalf of the State. Successful applicants must match the federal award dollar-for-dollar through parternships with school districts and a variety of public and private entities. Grantees serve an entire class of students beginning in grade seven, and follow the cohort through high school and the first year of college.
This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting.
Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.
Salary
$48,000.
FLSA Status
Exempt.
Benefits
This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. More information on benefits at NAU is available at www.nau.edu/hr .
Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each fiscal year according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service, which may be found on the Internet at: https://azregents.asu.edu/rrc/Policy&/….
Employees offered a position on or after July 20, 2011, will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan) after 90 days of employment. If you accept an offer on or after July 20, 2011, and you choose the ASRS retirement option, you will begin participating in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, on the first of the pay period following 27 weeks (6 months) after your start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of employment. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following 90 days after start date. More information is available at: http://hr.nau.edu/node/10159.
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Application Deadline
August 9, 2012 at midnight.
