Upward Bound Project Director

HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

JOB TITLE: Upward Bound Project Director

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of TRIO                                           

DEPARTMENT: TRIO

EXEMPT: YES                                                           

VICE PRESIDENT: Instruction-Career & Technical Education and HBCU Initiatives

GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE FUNCTION

All Hinds Community College employees must commit to the Caring Campus approach to student engagement and daily apply these general behavioral objectives: listen to student questions and concerns with a positive attitude and make meaningful connections with students.

The Upward Bound Project Director plans, directs, monitors, and evaluates activities and programs designed to assist low-income and/or potential first-generation college students and/or students with high-risk academic failure in completing high school and entering into post-secondary education in accordance with all applicable regulations. The director also oversees the preparation and submission of reports as required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree, preferably in Education, Administration/Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, Student Personnel, Social Work and/or related fields. 
• Three to five years of experience working with high-risk or disadvantaged students in programs such as Federal TRIO programs.
• Knowledge of public school procedures and operations.
• General knowledge of higher education and financial aid procedures.
• Experience in writing and administering grants.
• Experience with budget management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to frequently travel to targeted high schools.
• Able to work some evenings and weekends.
• Success in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting the project’s target population (low-income, first-generation college students or high-risk academic failure).
• Supervisory experience, including conducting staff development and team building skills.
• Experience increasing academic performance and retention and graduation rates, and a record of developing programs that enabled low-income and first-generation students to enroll and complete postsecondary education.
• Sensitive to the needs of disadvantaged students.
• Understanding of and commitment to the comprehensive community college mission.
• Public relations, marketing, and advertising skills.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• General knowledge of public school operations, higher education, and financial aid procedures.
• Ability to interpret accurately applicable regulations and to administer the project accordingly.
• Ability to supervise and work with others effectively.
• Ability to create and facilitate student-centered environments.
• Understanding of and ability to work with low-income, first-generation and at-risk students.
• Knowledge of contemporary and innovative methods of instructional delivery and curriculum development including the use of technology for instructional delivery.
• Ability to work as a team player in a diverse working environment.
• Must be able to follow oral and written directions and have the ability to establish effective working relationships with high school and college faculty and students.
• Ability to creatively motivate, empower and recognize students.
• Visual, auditory and ambulatory ability.
• Strong organizational and conflict management skills.
• Empathetic and positive relationship builder.
• Knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to perform the function of the position as outlined.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, include the following.

Other duties may be assigned.

Maintain knowledge of diversity-related issues, legislation, and best practices. 

• Establish annual goals and operational plans for the unit based on the U.S. Department of Education regulations and college goals.
• Define and direct new and revised services pertaining to the laws of the Higher Education Act and College long-term goals.
• Initiating, developing and cultivating relationships and partnerships with College and Community members to collaborate on Upward Bound goals and objectives as they pertain to persistence, graduation and post-secondary enrollment and graduation.
• Provide supervision and direction of the Upward Bound staff such that the Upward Bound project objectives are addressed.
• Develop and maintain communication and effective working relationships with the U.S. Department of Education, the target schools, the college community and all other project stakeholders.
• Serve as the Upward Bound liaison to the target schools and to Hinds Community College-Utica Campus.
• Coordinate services to Upward Bound students with district service providers.
• Evaluate all aspects of the Upward Bound Project in accordance with prescribed evaluation procedures.
• Submit reports timely and as required.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Oversee the work of the Upward Bound academic year and summer program staff.
• Direct the team’s professional development.
• Plans a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of students.
• Provide leadership and oversight for all aspects of the academic year and summer components of the Upward Bound project.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, taste and smell. The employee is frequently required to sit.

The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those

an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, and the employee is occasionally required to perform job responsibilities in the outdoors and off site.

We promote a culture of inclusion for all employees that respects individual strengths, ideas, and capabilities. We believe that our differences enable us to make better decisions, drive innovation, and deliver better results.

Mission

Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.

Vision

Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.

Values

Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS:                                 

• Integrity
• Diversity
• Excellence
• Accountability
• Leadership
• Stewardship

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable Federal and State Acts, Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its educational programs and activities. We recognize our responsibility to provide an open and welcoming environment that fosters a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for employees and students to collaboratively learn, work and serve our communities.

The following have been designated to handle inquiries regarding  these policies:

EEOC Compliance: Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Box 1100 Raymond MS 39154; Phone: 601-857-3458 or Email: EEOC@hindscc.edu.

Title IX: Associate Vice President Student Services, Title IX Coordinator

Box 1100 Raymond MS 39154; Phone: 601-857-3353 or Email: TitleIX@hindscc.edu.