GEAR UP Project Coordinator

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) strives to increase the number of underrepresented students from low-income backgrounds who are the first in their families to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. In partnership with Buena Park School District, La Habra City School District, and Fullerton Joint Union School District, the project serves a cohort of approximately 800 students beginning the 7th grade and follows their successes through high school graduation and their first year of enrollment at postsecondary education. The GEAR UP program will partner with schools, the district, local colleges, and universities to actively engage students, parents, teachers, faculty, and administrators to infuse a college-going culture for all students. Our services are designed to increase the number of students progressing and succeeding in higher education and beyond. 

• Within the GEAR UP Leadership Team, provides leadership in the proposal, planning, content development, promotion, coordination of logistics, implementation, and evaluation of:
• Programs and activities (including workshops, field trips, campus tours, GEAR UP Academies, and special events) for participants, parents/guardians, and other constituents.
• Systems for documenting and tracking participation, attendance, and demographic data for GEAR UP participant.
• Systems for organizing and storing program files, documents, curriculum, and records.
• Requests for and review of budget allocation and expenditures for staffing, materials, events, and initiatives.
• Recruitment and retention efforts for the participation GEAR UP participants
• Outreach efforts to recruit new staff, as determined by program need.
• Initiatives to increase the visibility of GEAR UP among CSUF, school sites, and community audiences.
• Training and professional development for GEAR UP Staff.
• GEAR UP website, social media, brochures, posters, and other informational materials.
• Ongoing staff support activities designed to retain and foster a sense of community among GEAR UP Staff.
• Research and preparation of performance reports, evaluations, and assessments for internal use, the US Department of Education, CSUF, and other project constituents.
• Provides information and support for postsecondary education, financial aid, academic assessment, career exploration, college tours, cultural activities, mentoring, tutoring, etc.
• Provides supervision, training, and mentoring to GEAR UP staff at target schools to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services and compliance with program policies and procedures.
• Facilitates and promotes the delivery of individual and group academic support services to program participants.
• Assists students and parents/guardians in completing applications for postsecondary programs, scholarships, and financial aid.
• Designs, monitors, and updates the Individual Success Plans tailored for each student to foster their academic and personal success onto their pathway to complete a college degree.  Implements quarterly grade and participation checks, provides guidance, and provides referrals to tutoring and available resources, as needed.
• Represents GEAR UP and CSUF in various settings.
• Maintains and develops strong school and community presence by visiting and implementing programs at project school sites, community-based organizations, and other off-campus sites.  
• Builds partnerships with school staff, administrators, and the community to brand GEAR UP and provide opportunities for students.   Fosters cross-campus university collaborations. Works effectively with various stakeholders of the educational community (i.e. students, parents, teachers, and administrators) to meet program objectives and implement services.
• Maintains accurate, confidential, and well-documented participant files following federal guidelines and GEAR UP policies and procedures.
• Travels to target schools and off-campus sites daily, and professional development trainings occasionally.  Target school and other assignment(s) subject to change based on program needs, per the discretion of the GEAR UP Director.
• Some early morning, evening, weekend, and overnight work required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Minimum two (2) years of experience working with students or educational programs.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience planning and conducting workshops, coordinating field trips and/or special events, and/or providing information about higher education.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience providing leadership and/or supervision for the work of others.
• Experience independently planning, developing, and implementing projects and procedures.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to effectively communicate with diverse constituencies.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to work effectively with various members of the professional academic communities. 
• Ability to interact with a diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the public. 
• Must travel to target schools/partner sites and off-campus sites on a regular basis. 
• Experience working with low-income students, potential first-generation college students, or students with disabilities. 
• Must be able to work independently and take initiative. Reliable, responsible, punctual and self-directed. 
• Ability to work some early mornings, evenings, weekend, and overnight, as required. 
• Must be able to pass and maintain a clean livescan check. 

• Experience in overcoming disadvantages of circumstances like those of the population in the target area.  
• Knowledge of school population at target schools.
• Knowledge of the various segments of post-secondary institutions and opportunities for low income and underrepresented students. 
• Ability to speak and write in Spanish.
• Experience advising GEAR UP and/or TRIO project participants or similar programs/projects. 

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Social Work, Education, or related field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Prolonged sitting in front of computer. Walking, talking, hearing, pulling, bending, may carry 20-25 pounds of objects/material, not exposed to extreme noise level, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands or arms, stoop, kneel, taste or smell.
 
BENEFITS: 
Health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, health care flex plan, LTD, vacation, sick leave, holiday, credit union, tuition reimbursement and retirement plan. All benefits will be administered according to policies and/or procedures.
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Your application will be considered incomplete without the submission of a:

• Resume
• Cover Letter