Upward Bound Program Manager

The Department of Education and Early Learning's (DEEL) mission is to transform the lives of Seattle's children, youth, and families through strategic investments in education. We believe equitable opportunities and access to high quality education services and support from kindergarten through postsecondary should be the reality for all children, youth, and families. Our staff is committed to eliminating opportunity gaps, advancing academic achievement, and ensuring students graduate prepared for a college and career path of their choice.

As part of this mission, DEEL hosts the Upward Bound program. Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance and graduation. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. To support this work, we are looking for an Upward Bound Program Manager who will manage grant accountability, provide supervision to three regular staff and six to ten seasonal instructors and tutors, and coordinate and partner with various institutions to meet program requirements and college and career readiness goals.

Our department strives to embed the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative into its education objectives and seeks staff that value the importance of working together as a government and community to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity. Our core values of equity, results, stewardship, transparency, and collaboration guide our work, support our operations, and hold us accountable.

Your work will be focused in four key areas:
Directing, managing, and maintaining grant accountability for the federally funded TRIO Upward Bound program:

• Serving as Program Director and liaison to representatives of the program's funding sources, providing responses to request for information, coordinating audits or site visits, and managing the on-time completion of the Annual Performance Report as required by the US Department of Education to measure progress towards meeting program objectives
• Supporting the preparation of grant applications for renewal of funding or new activities as directed
• Interpreting and implementing Federal, State, and local regulations, as well as City and department policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Upward Bound grant
• Dealing with conflicting guidelines or finding ways to meet program goals and objectives and provide needed services within strict requirements
• Maintaining awareness of ongoing research and related changes within the systems and structures, as well as changes among or that impact our population of students, which may require the need for new or revised program activities
• Planning and developing program goals and objectives consistent with the grant requirements based on research, adjusting, adding, or revising program activities to maintain program effectiveness

Providing guidance, management, and oversight for overall program operations:

• Designing, developing, and directing the maintenance of program records and tracking systems, reviewing and monitoring program progress toward meeting objectives
• Working with Planning and Evaluation staff to align desired outcomes and performance progress across division and department goals
• Developing and managing the program budget for staffing and all project activities; monitoring and reviewing program expenditures and reporting to fund sources
• Working with Finance staff to prepare submission for grant reimbursements
• Managing frequent contact with program participants and their families, school district, and individual school administrators and staff
• Engaging higher education institutions, human services providers, and community partners for the purpose of providing training, gathering information on contract compliance, promotion participation, coordinating activities, and resolving problems
• Managing the planning, development, and implementation of the Summer Academy, including negotiating for facilities, food services, IT, and technology services; coordinating with the university admissions office, as well as other university resources, so students have access to college campus resources

Coordinating and/or partnering within DEEL and across various outside institutions to meet program requirements and college and career readiness goals:

• Developing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Data Service Agreement (DSA) with the Seattle Public Schools at the district level
• Partnering with individual school administrators, school counselors, teachers, and other school staff, as well as on-site community partners, to coordinate and align college readiness activities
• Working with Seattle University across various departments
• Completing an agreement with WSAC to access data related to College Bound Scholarships and access to WSAC stipends/resources
• Connecting and coordinating with other local, state, and national organizations (like Washington State Achievement Council, NCAC, NCAN, and other professional organizations) that support TRIO grant funded programs to maintain best practices in the world of college and career readiness
• Working with DEEL Internal Teams Communications and Performance and Evaluation staff regarding public relations and promotional activities in support of program activities for student/family access, as well as the public, including responding to media information requests, coordinating advertising and media coverage for the program, and monitoring program outcomes
• Coordinating program operations and activities as needed with other units within the division/department, across other City departments, and external agencies (e.g. other TRIO programs, human services providers, youth programs, and community organizations that support the program goals and objectives)

Supervising a unit of professional and paraprofessional employees who reflect the demographic of students we serve and/or have experience working effectively with students:

• Conducting hiring and selection processes for all professional and paraprofessional program staff, including seasonal staff for the Summer Academy
• Meeting regularly with staff to maintain strong communication and cohesion in the delivery of all program services
• Conducting site visits to various school sites to assess the effectiveness of support counselors working with the school communities
• Directing the assessment of student needs and areas for skill development as it relates to college/career readiness; planning and overseeing training activities carried out by workshop leaders
• Working with staff to plan and coordinate one-day and multi-day overnight visits to local, in-state, and out-of-state colleges or universities, supervising 10-25 students
• Mentoring staff, including meeting regularly with regular and seasonal employees to meet performance standards and requirements

You will be most successful in this role if you possess a combination of the following:

Skills in:

• Leadership and supervision
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Critical thinking and decision-making
• Problem-solving
• Project management

Experience with:

• College and career readiness
• Working in partnership with schools, school districts, or similar partner programs
• Managing federal education grants
• Coordinating and managing youth-centered summer programming
• Keeping up with developments, trends, and changes in your professional field
• Managing and organizing data to track program goals
• Developing and managing a budget

Ability to:

• Demonstrate your commitment to serving diverse students and families in the community
• Act as a team player and utilize your cross-cultural written and verbal communication skills
• Be detail-oriented and highly organized in your work

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• Two years of experience in human services administration, service delivery, community organizing, contract administration, or a related field
• A Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Human Services, Business or Public Administration, or other related field

OR

• Three years of experience in human services administration, service delivery, community organizing, contract administration, or a related field
• An Associate Degree in Social Science, Human Services, Business or Public Administration, or other related field

OR

• Four years of experience in human services administration, service delivery, community organizing, contract administration, or a related field

As well as the following requirements:

• Ability to pass a criminal background check
• A current Washington State Drivers License

This position is classified as a Human Services Program Supervisor and is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the City and the union, PROTEC17 - Professional Unit. This position will require the ability to travel frequently to partner locations and program sites, as well as attend overnight college tours with students. As such, a current Washington State Drivers License is required, as well as a review of your driving record. The work associated with this position is expected to be a hybrid combination of telecommuting and onsite work and meetings, as directed by business needs. Evening, weekend, and overnight activities may be required. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $40.08 - $46.68 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $40.08 hourly. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

DEEL supports the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative to end institutionalized racism by eliminating barriers to access, providing the staff and public with opportunities for growth, and developing equitable access to the programs and services we offer. If you share those values and meet the qualifications, we invite you to apply for this position. Please visit http://www.seattle.gov/education to learn more about the Department of Education & Early Learning.

The first round of interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 22 and Thursday, February 23, 2023. If a second round of interviews is necessary, they will tentatively take place on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

COVID 19 Vaccination Mandate - City of Seattle employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination prior to your employment start date. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered for this position, you must submit your complete application, including answering all supplemental questions and attaching both a cover letter and resume at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The Department of Education & Early Learning values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Department of Education & Early Learning encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov.

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Employment Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time