Site Coordinator (GEAR UP)

OUR STATEMENT
The San Jose State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value.
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally-funded program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college. The San Jose GEAR UP Community Achievement Project provides services to a cohort of students starting in 7th grade through high school graduation and one year into college.
GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION
Under the direct supervision of the GEAR UP directors, the site coordinator will work on teams with school counseling interns; parent coordinators; school administrators, teachers, and staff; and GEAR UP students and their families to help GEAR UP students prepare for and succeed in college. The position requires the individual to be highly knowledgeable about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) best practices and to work closely with historically marginalized populations and communities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead GEAR UP school site teams (i.e., school counselor interns, parent coordinators, and tutors) and oversee the day-to-day operations of the GEAR UP programming at assigned school sites.
• Coordinate service delivery with administration at target schools to serve entire grade level of students.
• Work collaboratively with GEAR UP and school site staff to develop, plan, and implement various GEAR UP activities and services before, during, and after school, in the evenings, and on the weekends as needed to support students' academic development and college and career readiness.
• Provide appropriate academic advising (individual and group) and design interventions to increase high school graduation, completion of college preparatory coursework and college admission requirements, financial literacy awareness, including in-class and after-school tutoring programs, test preparation programs, academic workshops, summer academies, and other interventions for students and their families as needed.
• Develop, plan, and, implement college awareness and readiness activities including partnering with colleges and universities to plan college visits and summer experiences.
• Develop, plan, and provide information and education activities (e.g., on financial aid and scholarships, college survival skills, college search, college applications, transitioning to college, etc.) for GEAR UP students' parents/guardians.
• Assess academic and personal needs of GEAR UP students and their families through transcript evaluations, student interviews, and high school counselor recommendations and meet with school personnel to recommend appropriate interventions for students who are not doing well academically at school.
• Collaborate with the school site team to develop and implement a service plan to meet students' and their families' specific needs and monitor progress of high school graduation and college readiness, including review of completion of college preparatory coursework.
• Collaborate with and provide support to GEAR UP teachers, administrators, counselors, and staff at school sites in accordance with federal regulations to fulfill the GEAR UP grant objectives, including meetings, presentations, surveys, training, information sessions, and other support activities.
• Attend GEAR UP school, college, community, and partner meetings to promote the GEAR UP program.
• Perform a variety of administrative duties in support of the GEAR UP grant, including maintaining documentation files of all services, correspondence, reports, procedures, and presentations related to the GEAR UP program; and developing outreach materials, including newsletters and social media sites.
• Maintain accurate participant data, records, and files, including files on academic and advisement progress and student participation in the program, to document all activities conducted and services provided in the GEAR UP database.
• Contribute and assist with the preparation and submission of Annual Performance Reports to the U.S. Department of Education and other reports required by the Corporation and/or CSUMB.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with individuals and groups of varying ages and cultural background to disseminate information, resolve problems, and clarify solutions.
• Handle sensitive and/or confidential documents and information where judgement and discretion are essential and ensure confidentiality of all program records and other sensitive information.
• Represent the GEAR UP program at university functions and at statewide and national meetings, as necessary.
• Attend relevant national, regional, and local professional development conferences, workshops and seminars.
• Promote and maintain an atmosphere of excellent internal and external customer service within the department and the campus community
• Perform other duties as assigned.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

1. Reports to GEAR UP directors.
2. Frequently interacts with GEAR UP, SJSU Research Foundation, and school personnel and with GEAR UP students and their families.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervise GEAR UP school site teams (i.e., school counselor interns, parent coordinators, and tutors) and oversee the day-to-day operations of the GEAR UP programming at assigned school sites.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college/university with major coursework in education, counseling, or a related field AND two years of counseling/advising experience or professional experience in a student support program at a secondary and/or postsecondary level.
• At least one year in personnel management.

Additional Requirements

• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and school policies and regulations pertaining to college and career readiness.
• Strong leadership, teambuilding, and group facilitation skills.
• Ability to determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged in sensitive situations.

Desired Accomplishments

• A master's degree in education, counseling, or a related field.
• A working knowledge of best practices in K-12 and higher education and academic counseling theories.
• An understanding and analysis of various challenges that impact first-generation college students and low-income students and how to assist these students to college graduation.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the SJSU Strategic Plan and the core values of mutual respect, collaboration and service orientation, multiculturalism and diversity, community service, and institutional excellence.
• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish and/or Vietnamese.
• General knowledge of the principles, practices, and strategies currently used in improving access and retention support to low-income and educationally disadvantaged students.
• Ability to develop student support programs and activities related to assigned areas of responsibility.

Physical Demands

• This position will be assigned to work at one or more school sites in Alum Rock Union School District or Franklin-McKinley School District.
• This position may occasionally report to San Jose State University at the College of Education, Counselor Education Department (Sweeney Hall).

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the SJSURF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current SJSURF employees who apply for the position.
PLEASE NOTE: This position is considered a "sensitive" position by SJSURF and California State University (CSU) policy. Consequently, the successful candidate must undergo and successfully complete the Live Scan (fingerprinting) background check as a condition of their employment. This background check must be completed before the actual start of employment.
The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
This position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to victims of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking as required by CSU Executive Order 1095.
FERPA: This position is required to comply with confidentiality requirements outlined in the Department of Education's Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and California's Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.
NOTE: This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.
BENEFITS
The SJSURF provides an excellent benefits package to benefited employees. The comprehensive benefits package includes:

1. Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage).
2. Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents.
3. Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities.
4. 14 paid federal & state holidays.
5. Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately.
6. Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations.
7. Employee discounts.
8. Paid training and professional-development conferences.

Please visit the Benefits & Compensation page on the SJSURF website for more detailed information.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply for this position, an applicant must submit a formal application for employment. Select "Apply Now" to complete the SJSURF online employment application.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, please contact us at In the email message, please indicate your full name, phone number and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or otherwise disclose confidential medical information.
ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION
SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San Jose State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California.
SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization's funding comes from the federal government, and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.