Working Title: GEAR UP Project Director

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Access and Enrollment

Department: 520120 - GEAR UP Staunton

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $56,000 - $60,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 06/16/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The GEAR UP Project Director reports to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management/Director of First-Generation Student Success and play a key role in supporting our strategic vision. The Project Director will oversee and guide the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program, helping students prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education. Responsibilities will include managing grant operations, budgets, reporting, and evaluations to meet US Department of Education standards. Join us in making a difference in students' lives!

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:
• Grant Management: Oversee grant compliance and deliverables, including hiring, supervising, training, and supporting direct service staff.
• Team Leadership: Lead and train the GEAR UP team, ensuring high-quality college access and success programs for students and families.
• Professional Development: Stay updated on best practices by attending seminars, conferences, and maintaining professional contacts.
Outreach and Advocacy:
• Program Representation: Represent the program internally and externally, communicating with funders and administration to achieve goals.
• Community Outreach: Promote GEAR UP services through community outreach and develop a community outreach plan to educate on college readiness.
• Student Advocacy: Advocate for students by communicating with colleges, parents, schools, and scholarship programs.
Data and Budget Management:
• Reporting: Collaborate with Staunton City Schools to create a reporting plan for the GEAR UP site.
• Confidentiality: Ensure accurate tracking of services and maintain strict confidentiality of student records.
• Budget Management: Plan and manage the GEAR UP program budget, ensuring fiscal integrity and accountability.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications
• Education: Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, social work, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Experience: Significant experience in educational institutions (grades 6-12 or post-secondary) or community-based organizations.
• Supervisory Experience: At least three years of supervisory experience working with low-income and first-generation students.
• Grant Management: Proven experience in implementing and complying with federal grants.
• Data and Budget Management: Experience in managing data and budgets in educational or community-based settings, including data assessment.
• Partnership Building: Experience in building and sustaining partnerships with K-12, postsecondary institutions, community organizations, policymakers, and campus faculty and staff.
• Program Knowledge: Familiarity with study skills programs, financial aid (especially FAFSA), college admissions, and career exploration.
• Management Skills: Training in fiscal management, personnel management, and program evaluation.
• Communication: Ability to effectively communicate with diverse backgrounds.
• Community Knowledge: Understanding the target population, including local community agencies, organizations, schools, and post-secondary institutions.
• Barrier Understanding: Ability to understand and address issues the target population faces to overcome educational barriers.

Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree in education, psychology, social work, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Regulations Knowledge: Training and knowledge of the Higher Educational Opportunity Act, Uniform Guidance, EDGAR, and Federal GEAR UP Regulations.
• Grant-Writing: Grant-writing skills are desirable.
• Language Skills: Bilingual candidates (English and Spanish) are preferred.
• Curriculum Development: Experience in developing and implementing curriculum.

Additional Posting Information:

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.