About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advocacy, Inclusion and Support, the Upward Bound Program Director will be responsible for the development, administration and management of the Upward Bound Program, including but not limited to the hiring, training, supervision and evaluation of project staff, fiscal management, project development and management. The Interim Program Director will administer and manage all aspects of the Upward Bound Program in accordance with federal and state guidelines and regulations.

This is a term limited grant funded, one (1) year appointment.

Essential Functions

• Develop and modify program goals, objectives, services, activities and policies, in accordance with student needs, institutional objectives and resources.
• Directly supervise two employees and various part time and student employees, including, interviewing, hiring and training of staff.
• Supervise and carry out planning tasks associated with the summer program, such as evaluating appropriate academic class levels for students, scheduling the academic program, hiring summer staff, developing job sites, planning group excursions and projects, making necessary arrangements for use of residence halls, dining halls and other campus facilities, preparing handbook on the summer program.
• Direct participant recruitment and selection of students; meet individually and in groups with participants on a regular basis to provide information and assistance supporting successful school completion and post-secondary entry.
• Develop and administer the program operating budget.
• Serve as liaison to departments, target school administrators and community agencies.
• Supervise the maintenance of Upward Bound data to generate monthly/quarterly/annual reports and to evaluate the performance of participants and the attainment of project objectives.
• Prepare formative and summarize program evaluations.
• Compile and disseminate information to the public regarding program services.
• Maintain confidentiality of information exposed to in the course of business regarding students, supervisors or other employees.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.  
• Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.  
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with university policy.  
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.  

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s Degree with a minimum of three (3) years of experience working with, managing and implementing educational programs for at risk students.  Or a Bachelor’s degree with five (5) years of experience working with, managing and implementing educational programs for at risk students.
• Ability to commute to various locations beyond the main campus reliably.
• Grant administration experience.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of disadvantaged students.
• Knowledge of issues affecting the academic potential of low income, at risk, first generation-college bound youth.
• Experience working with diverse students and communities.
• Experience and knowledge about schools in urban environments.
• Ability to deal effectively with and serve as principal program representative to students, parents, secondary and post-secondary school personnel, community agencies, funding agencies, as well as various university personnel, requiring skills in individual counseling, coordinating, public presentation and public relations.
• Strong knowledge and skills relevant to the program, such as counseling and testing, working with community agencies and high schools, curriculum development, implementation and evaluation, understanding of post-secondary opportunities and admissions policies/processes.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Demonstrated competence with Microsoft Office and social networking sites.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bilingual, (Spanish) preferred.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Ability to commute to various locations beyond the main campus reliably.

Additional Details

• Function independently within the broad scope of the University and Student Affairs and Campus Life policies and goals. 
• Refer exceptions to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advocacy, Inclusion and Support.
• This is a term limited grant funded, one (1) year appointment.

Work Schedule

• Monday-Friday; 37.5 hours per week.
• Evening and weekend work is required.

Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.