TrulyHired hiring Gear Up-Family and Community Coordinator in Forest City, NC | LinkedIn (2024)

Job DescriptionGEAR UP Family and Community CoordinatorPosition Summary: Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally funded discretionary grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

The GEAR UP college access initiative's national objectives are to:

• Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education.
• Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education.
• Increase GEAR UP students and their family's knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.

To achieve these objectives, Rutherford County Schools (RCS) is partnering with Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) to provide a variety of interventions to students and their families in grades six through year one of postsecondary education. Services include and are not limited to college visits, summer programs, career exploration, mentoring, job

shadowing, tutoring, college advising, and financial aid workshops. Professional development is offered to school and district staff to share best practices and assist in creating and strengthening a college-going culture for the target schools and their communities.

The GEAR UP Family and Community Coordinator is a full-time position requiring a 12-month, 100%-time commitment. Programmatic, evaluation, enrichment, and counseling responsibilities are essential to success. The GEAR UP Family and Community Coordinator and local school district staff will work cooperatively to establish positive, sustainable family

engagement and community partnerships. This position will report to the GEAR UP liaison.

Professional Responsibilities and Duties

• Encourage family members of GEAR UP students to participate in GEAR UP activities.
• Guide GEAR UP families in establishing consistent utilization of CFNC.org to promote

college access awareness and readiness.

• Implement and coordinate comprehensive pre-college programs for family members of GEAR UP students that include and are not limited to career exploration, academic planning and preparation, college visits, mentoring, and financial planning. Services should be provided in various venues to increase engagement with family members and community partners.
• Serve as a postsecondary planning resource for GEAR UP students and their families.
• District-based GEAR UP staff will work collaboratively with school personnel, families, and the community to increase awareness of postsecondary education.
• Leverage community partnership and support to assist GEAR UP students and families in establishing and increasing college savings accounts.
• Work collaboratively with families, community organizations, and district educators to provide student and family summer enrichment activities inclusive of academic awareness, job-shadowing, college visits, etc.
• Attend local and national GEAR UP meetings, institutes, and conferences.
• In cooperation with the central office liaison and other school administrators, prepare and submit comprehensive evaluative and programming reports. Maintain data collection of GEAR UP family activities and record progress. Provide continuous feedback to RCS/WSSU GEAR UP administrative staff regarding project benchmarks and outcomes.
• It is essential for the GEAR UP Family and Community Coordinator to have a thorough understanding of the RCS/WSSU GEAR UP grant goals, objectives, and expectations.

Certification And Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two years of work experience in a school or community setting
• Strong background in education or counseling
• Work experience with diverse families and community organizations
• Experience working with under-resourced communities
• Knowledge of educational and financial aid opportunities
• Excellent communication skills (virtual, oral, and written)
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct practical workshops and presentations
• Work effectively with school personnel, parents, community leaders, and students
• Commitment to the value of education, strong interpersonal and networking skills
• A positive role model for students, families, and advocates on behalf of GEAR UP.

Questions about the position should be directed to Mrs. Margaret McKinney

mmckinney@rcsnc.org.