GEAR UP Program Coordinator

JOB TITLE: GEAR UP PROGRAM COORDINATOR

FLSA STATUS:  EXEMPT

SALARY: NC SALARY SCHEDULE LOCAL SUPPLEMENT

YEARLY MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 MONTHS

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

The GEAR UP Program Coordinator leads and implements the GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) initiative within the school district. This role requires a strategic thinker who can build effective partnerships, advocate for a college-going culture, and ensure comprehensive support for GEAR UP students.

Key Responsibilities:

**Leadership and Partnership Building**

- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with school staff, administrators, and teachers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated support for GEAR UP students. 

- Advocate for a college-going culture by embedding GEAR UP services into existing school and district structures. 

- Maintain a strong relationship with Appalachian State University GEAR UP through regular meetings and communication. 

- Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current with college access trends. 

- Support the development of a 7-year district/school plan for GEAR UP implementation. 

**Strategic Service Implementation**

- Ensure all GEAR UP students receive at least one service per year, with emphasis on marginalized populations. 

- Collaborate with school staff to integrate GEAR UP services into classrooms, clubs, and other school structures. 

- Coordinate with school counselors and college access staff to provide comprehensive and equitable services. 

- Facilitate student leadership development programs. 

- Develop and implement an annual GEAR UP plan aligned with district goals. 

- Support the creation of academic/STEM services that align with district and grant objectives.

**Evaluation and Data Management**

- Enter all student services into the GEAR UP database within 30 days, adhering to federal and Appalachian GEAR UP policies.

- Collect and submit usage data for electronic services purchased with GEAR UP funding.

- Provide regular data updates to school and district staff.

- Conduct data reviews to monitor progress, identify gaps, and implement data-informed services.

- Improve response rates for student, family, and teacher surveys.

**Compliance and Financial Management**

- Maintain accurate service and financial records in accordance with all relevant policies.

- Collaborate with district finance staff to ensure timely and accurate submission of reimbursement and match documents.

- Monitor progress toward cost-share commitments and budget spending.

- Communicate regularly with the district GEAR UP director regarding financial commitments.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, or related field (Master's preferred)

- Experience in college access programs or secondary education

- Strong leadership and communication skills

- Proficiency in data management and analysis

- Knowledge of federal grant compliance and financial management

- Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships

- Commitment to promoting educational equity and college access

This position requires a dedicated professional who can effectively manage multiple responsibilities while remaining focused on student success and program goals. The ideal candidate will be passionate about increasing college readiness and access for underserved students.

Salary Range - Starts at $50,000 

MINIMUM STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be able to use a variety of equipment such as computers, copiers, and a variety of audiovisual equipment etc.  Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Light Work usually requires walking, standing and bending to a significant degree.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from superiors.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, handbooks, forms, newsletters, journals, procedures, lists, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, simple reports, forms, instructional materials, etc., using prescribed format.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently standard English.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; and to apply the principles of descriptive statistics, statistical inference and statistical theory.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office and audiovisual equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office and audiovisual equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within the classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in this job.  It is not a contract or guarantee of employment, salary or benefits.

Salary : $50,000