Job Details

Position Summary

The Higher Education Pathways Program Manager provides needs assessment, planning and technical assistance services to support LEA staff and administration in program development for pathways to higher education. Planning support includes a focus on college access and building capacity across K-12 schools and higher education to bridge high school to college and career. This position requires strong partnership with higher education, LEAs across the region, and the California Student Aid Commission. One of the roles required of this position is to serve as the North Coast Cal-SOAP Director to manage the North Coast California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP), serving Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Individuals who serve as Program Managers provide services in the office as well as in various sites throughout the county and northern region of the state, sometimes serving multiple sites in a single workday. Public speaking skills, group problem solving and leadership ability, the ability to communicate effectively in writing, the capacity to maintain personal demeanor during periods of peak workflow and perform efficiently within restricted timeframes are critical factors for success in this position.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This position is under the supervision of the Director of Career and College Resources.

Examples Of Duties and Responsibilities (Examples of Essential Job Functions)

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

*Illustrative only

• Serves as the North Coast Cal-SOAP Director.
• Responsible for training and supervision of classified and supplemental staff assigned to the Cal-SOAP program.
• Provides trainings, presentations, activities, events, and programming and coordinates services that increase our local students' college eligibility and readiness, FAFSA/CADAA completion rates, and college going rates.
• Supports districts in their work with meeting California law (AB 469) requiring that all high school seniors apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ) or the California Dream Act (CADAA) or complete an opt-out waiver.
• Organizes and manages the ongoing operations, activities, and services of the Cal-SOAP program and ensures implementation is in accordance with Cal-SOAP, California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), and HCOE mission, law, policies, and requirements.
• Responsible for maintaining and informing the Cal-SOAP Consortium Governing Board comprised of high school principals and counselors, local higher education institutions, and other related partners.
• Establishes and maintains liaisons with universities, school districts, public and private local organizations, state agencies, and other partners to coordinate outreach.
• Provides technical assistance in the development of Dual Enrollment Agreements.
• Assists school districts with implementing dual enrollment and college access plans.

• Serves as a resource to LEA personnel on the best uses of data for systems analysis, decision making, and reporting.
• Actively engage in an ongoing program of professional development to maintain and improve management skills and leadership abilities.
• Develops and facilitates professional learning opportunities for LEA personnel differentiated to the needs of the LEA. This includes training, tools, and rubrics to assess pathways and ensure standards are met and milestones are reached.
• Coordinates and leads systems analysis using needs assessments tools that include educational partner input, data analysis and root cause investigations.
• Participates in appropriate regional and statewide professional meetings.
• Recommends new procedures and changes in existing procedures governing the implementation and management of the department.

• Maintains accurate records; completes required reports and administers budgets; prepares and submits grants and program plans; and coordinates contracts with grantors.
• Performs data collection and analysis.

• Supports the department Director in the development and management of department grants, budgets, and personnel decisions.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications (aka Employment Standards)

Knowledge of:

• State and federal laws and requirements of financial aid and college admissions.
• Appropriate staff supervision and evaluation techniques for HCOE staff members and supplemental employees.
• Post-secondary recruitment strategies and financial aid resources.
• Community and statewide networking.
• Effective program management, including budget development, fiscal and personnel management, proper accounting, and audit level record keeping.
• Board development and relations.
• Event planning and execution including training programs, workshops, conferences and celebrations.
• Marketing and public relations strategies.
• Training techniques for adult learners.
• Current trends and issues regarding first generation college students, underrepresented populations, and students living in rural areas.
• Dual enrollment equity strategies.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain a regional network of education, industry and community partners in support of college access, workforce and higher education pathway development.
• Develop strong relationships with colleagues and partners.
• Demonstrate competence in communicating effectively with professional staff and representatives of other local and state agencies in both written and oral form.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, communication and human relations skills, including group problem solving processes.
• Demonstrate competence in researching educational code, policy and briefs to identify critical information and clearly articulate information to educational leaders.
• Develop measurable goals and objectives, set priorities, monitor expenditures, and evaluate projects/ programs towards achieving program deliverables.

Education And Experience

Education and Experience

• Possess an appropriate California Administrative credential.
• Possess at least seven (7) years successful teaching and/or staff development experience, at a LEA, County Office of Education, or college/university level.

Working Conditions (Work Environment)

Individuals who serve as management personnel must be willing to modify days/hours and to work additional days/hours on occasion, with appropriate compensation, and be willing to travel using own transportation with mileage reimbursed, or HCOE fleet vehicle, as the job may require.

Environmental Elements

The majority of work is done indoors in a climate-controlled office, however there will be required travel across the county, region, and state.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The position requires ordinary ambulatory ability to retrieve work materials, intermittent walking, standing, stooping and carrying and lifting of light- to medium-weight materials (under 30 pounds).
• Requires hand-eye-arm-finger dexterity to use a personal computer keyboard, ten-key and other common office equipment.
• Requires speaking and hearing ability sufficient to hear over the phone and carry on complex conversations.
• Visual acuity sufficient to read manuals, video display screens and other related material and work at a computer screen frequently and throughout the day.

Other Requirements

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6 to 12 months of employment.
• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California Driver's License, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV PUll Notice Program once employed.

Certificated Management Schedule B - Class 2A