GEAR UP Assistant Director

Company Description

Wonderful College Prep Academy is a charter network in California's Central Valley committed to providing a world-class education for all students. The Academy's mission is to prepare graduate students to earn a college degree and put them on a promising career path. We believe this begins with a nurturing, engaging, community-centered school environment where students develop a strong and well-rounded academic foundation. Ultimately, this will prepare generations of leaders in the Central Valley who are critical thinkers and life-long learners.

The Academy's first school opened in Delano in 2009, serving students from across the Central Valley in grades 6-12. In 2016, we moved to our new, state-of-the-art college prep campus in Delano, and in the Fall of 2017, we added an elementary school in Delano and opened a second charter school in Lost Hills. In Delano, we serve over 1,800 students in grades TK-12, while in Lost Hills, we serve over 400 students in grades TK-12. 

We seek thoughtful, inclusive, skilled communicators, and creative problem-solvers who value continuous learning and are excited to serve our students and families. Now is the time to join a team making enduring change within the Central Valley of California and beyond! 

Click here to learn more about the Wonderful Company's other great philanthropic partnerships.

Job Description

Under the supervision of the GEAR UP Director, the Assistant Director will provide leadership for the overall project management of GEAR UP. A particular focus of the Assistant Director is to provide leadership to the GEAR UP Sanger sites across Sanger High and Sanger West High School. This is to ensure the implementation of essential and effective services that achieve grant objectives for participants, parents and guardians, and school site partners. Such responsibilities include overseeing the GEAR UP staff at Sanger High and Sanger West High School, primary responsibility of the matching component of the grant, visibility and support at GEAR UP events at Sanger schools (field trips, family workshops, board meetings, admin meetings, etc.) and other sites as needed, assists in the development and implementation of operational protocols, practices, policies for the GEAR UP team, and provides leadership to GEAR UP staff and assists in staff training. In addition, the Assistant Director serves as a liaison to Sanger Unified School District and the community. As such, the Assistant Director will develop and nurture strong partnerships with staff and administrators at school sites and with key partners. Based on program needs as determined by the GEAR UP Director, this position may be required to work out of various locations including WCPA school sites and Avenal High School sites as needed. 

SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL RESOURCES

• Assists the GEAR UP Director in the recruitment, interviews, and selection of qualified workforce personnel for the GEAR UP program in accordance with school policies and procedures.
• Ensures that personnel are trained and knowledgeable of WCPA and GEAR UP partner school site rules and regulations and departmental goals.
• Provides regular, ongoing feedback regarding work performance GEAR UP Managers.
• Takes corrective action with employees when directed by the Director, including disciplinary procedures.
• Assists in the training of GEAR UP staff for all tasks and duties performed for specific GEAR UP roles within the team.
• Trains in major areas including customer service, oversight for Managers, data entry, etc.
• Participates in meetings on or off campus at Sanger schools and WCPA school sites as needed.
• Drives a school vehicle for the purpose of transporting equipment and/or materials as needed between school sites as necessary.
• Continuously monitors and actively supports GEAR UP Managers' workload.
• Serve as field trip point of contact and chaperone on GEAR UP field trips with Sanger High and Sanger West schools, including special college activities such as overnight college visits and college camps during the summer.
• Serve as liaison to school site Administrators and District personnel.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MATCH (TIME & EFFORT)

• Oversees the matching component of the grant, including capturing time and effort.
• Assists the Director in the oversight of GEAR UP school site budget.
• Assists the Director with the approval process of purchase requisitions and reimbursements for the program in a timely manner.
• Assists Director ensuring that all vendor invoices for their specific GEAR UP school site are processed according to Dept. of Edu and WCPA guidelines and that payment occurs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• A minimum of two years of full-time experience working with youth.
• Strong leadership, supervision, and human relations skills.
• Experience coordinating and developing partnerships with the community, school districts, teachers, principals, and students at secondary schools.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, and multitasking skills.
• Experience documenting services.
• Ability to effectively handle a broad range of interpersonal contacts including those at a higher level and those sensitive in nature.
• 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.
• Reliable, responsible, punctual and self-directed.
• Must be available to work 40 hours each week, with most hours falling between 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
• Must travel to target schools and off-campus sites on a regular basis.
• Experience working in low-income, Latino (ideally rural/agricultural) communities.
• Experience with California public K-16 school system.
• California driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum three years’ experience in the development and operations of program components focused on the retention and academic support of low-income students from diverse backgrounds. 
• Experience working with GEAR UP students or educational programs designed to improve educational and/or career outcomes in underrepresented communities.
• Experience in overcoming educational barriers similar to those confronting project participants.
• Experience providing leadership and/or supervision for the work of others.
• Master’s degree in education, or a related field.
• Ability to speak and write in Spanish. Working Conditions:
• Environment: Office environment; fast-paced work, constant interruptions.

Physical requirements: Hearing and speaking to exchange information, make presentations. and communicate over the telephone; seeing to read, prepare, and proofread documents and view computer monitors; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects; ability to go to sites apart from primary office to conduct business.

Pay Range: $73,000/Annually

Additional Information

• Wonderful College Prep Academy offers highly competitive compensation, commensurate with experience. 
• Full-time staff benefits include medical coverage, dental, vision, and life insurance at no cost to the employee. We also offer an optional 403b, with company match, as a supplement to the STRS retirement pension. In addition, employees have free access to the Wonderful Wellness Center and gym.

Quality of Life in the Central Valley:

Framed by the Sierra Nevada to the east and the Coast Ranges to the west, California's Central Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions and the base of The Wonderful Company's agricultural operations. This vast area enjoys a moderate climate and offers residents a high quality of life, a low cost of living, and a host of diverse cultural and recreational activities. From wine tasting and hiking to rafting, fishing, skiing, and surfing -- all within a two-hour drive -- the family-friendly Central Valley has much to offer.

Wonderful College Prep Academy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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