Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Project Director, the Program Manager (PM) of GEAR UP SOAR is responsible for ensuring that school-based staff develop, implement, and deliver best practices and evidence-based programming for all GEAR UP and Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) initiatives. In partnership with the school principal, the PM will supervise and provide ongoing training and professional development to GEAR UP school-based staff, including topics such as case management development and evaluation, data collection, and data analysis. The PM will work directly with the Project Director, other GEAR UP Program Managers, school districts, and key partners to ensure student success utilizing a case management strategy. The Program Manager will work to achieve the result- All Rural Students Succeed.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Train college and career navigators to provide college access and success strategies by assisting with classroom instruction and embedding college planning materials and financial awareness with core content

• Lead opportunities for partnership with schools and key grant partners to develop extended learning opportunities on college campuses

• Integrate Results Based Facilitation and Accountability frameworks in partnership meetings, improvement strategies and project design activities

• Align with project director, school staff and other departmental staff to ensure college preparedness

• Continually demonstrate a working knowledge of GEAR UP goals and objectives

• Accountable for financial integrity of the grant through training staff, verifying and approving expenditures

• Ensure paperwork is completed accurately and remain current on all rules and regulations

• Monitor departmental documentation and record keeping with a focus on improving efficiencies in daily operations

Position Location & Schedule

The position will be considered for hybrid work with local, state, and sometimes national travel required. Home office will be located in Hazard, KY.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or related field is required, master’s degree preferred

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Experienced in personnel, program, and fiscal management

• Experienced in college access and success best practices

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with federal grants compliance, including budget responsibility

• Experienced in leading work within one of the following best practices: dropout prevention, financial literacy/financial aid, parent engagement, postsecondary education, mentoring

• Experienced in working within rural schools

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills

• Knowledge of Kentucky's educational accountability standards

• Knowledge of Results Based Accountability

• Demonstrated analytical skills

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting with a focus on problem solving

• Experience in implementing, monitoring and evaluating federal or state grants

• Experience with the financial management of grant funds, including understanding of U.S. Department of Education financial guidelines on federal funds

• A commitment to students from diverse economic, social and cultural backgrounds

• Computer skills including data processing and financial spreadsheets; Microsoft Office, Adobe

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid driver’s license

• Successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work in a high-energy office

• Ability to travel independently by car and/or plane throughout Kentucky and the United States

Environmental conditions:

• Work primarily in a hybrid setting with office location in Hazard, KY

• Professional office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequent visitors, students, staff, faculty and callers

• Frequent travel to partner and program sites required in all seasons
  

Additional Company Information

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family.

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.