Program Planner 2 (GEAR UP Iowa Facilitator)

Full Job Description

Iowa Department of Education’s mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

We are looking to find a highly qualified program professional to serve as a GEAR UP Iowa Facilitator for the GEAR UP Iowa program in the Bureau of Iowa College Aid.

This person will provide professional level program work by planning and leading GEAR UP Iowa grant project activities, including the development and implementation of district/school implementation plans, alignment with annual work plans, and compliance with federal grant guidelines.

Your Responsibilities:

• Ensure outcome focused, effective and compliant implementation of GEAR UP Iowa (GUI) in assigned school districts:
  • Assisting assigned districts in planning and implementing GUI plans according to programmatic and fiscal policies and procedures.
  • Convening monthly school planning meetings for the purpose of ensuring data-driven decisions for the planning and implementation of college access strategies and activities.
  • Supporting plan implementation, tracking progress and providing consultation and compliance support to district and school staff.
  • Providing consistent support, training, and organization for school planning teams.
  • Consulting with district personnel to identify and help fill gaps in school engagement and compliance.
  • Developing and fostering partnerships with colleges, community organizations, businesses, faith communities, civic leaders, and other appropriate entities to support broader community-wide engagement around college attainment.
  • Serve as an advocate for the GUI associated strategies and practices.
• Deliver presentations on specific topics to schools, parents, and students; collaborate with community partners to provide additional information, as appropriate:
  • Identifying gaps in professional development for GUI school staff, counselors, teachers and administrators.
  • Delivering, or assist in delivering, professional development through conference presentations, at districts, or via technology, as developed in consultation with the GUI Coordinator.
  • Developing and maintaining knowledge of current research and best practices in age-appropriate: academic success strategies, academic and behavioral advising, student and family engagement, career planning and the college-going process, and community partnership engagement.

Identify best practices to support the GUI Framework components (academic support, advising, college and career exposure, social emotional learning skills and college enrollment and transition) and develop strategies for program-wide implementation.

Serve as subject matter expert for the project and liaison for other GUI Facilitators for assigned component(s). Independently research and respond to questions from students and families.

• Utilize designated systems for tracking student services, student assessments and plans, communication with students and parents, and other research tools to maintain up-to-date knowledge of school progress and needs:
  • Training and assisting school personnel in utilizing designated systems.
  • Utilizing designated relationship and service tracking systems to document project progress, key contacts and appropriate use of GUI funds.
  • Assisting the GUI Director and Coordinator with collection of data for program evaluation and monitoring.
  • Contribute to and consult on GUI publications, website, and media efforts. Represent GUI in bureau and department efforts.
• Contribute to and consult on GUI publications, website, and media efforts. Represent GUI in bureau and department efforts.

Candidates are encouraged to include detailed information about their relevant experience in their application, or submit a cover letter and resume in addition to their application.

If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact idoe.hr@iowa.gov.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday with the opportunity for hybrid remote work schedule after initial training period; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

A successful candidate will bring or have the ability and desire to learn:

• Passion for accomplishing common goals in pursuit of public service
• Ability to work collaboratively within high-performing teams
• Ability to work independently, moving projects forward with minimal supervision
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical language, and present information in an understandable manner
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with college access, youth development or educational program experience with or in K-12 schools or colleges.
• Experience in large-scale project implementation.
• Experience in federal grant programs.
• Experience leading workshops, presentations, or classes.
• Experience with program operations relating to data, evaluation or compliance.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of students, their families, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and benefits package:

https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf


E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Qualifications

1) Six years of full-time work experience in the administration or operation/execution (i.e., providing consultation and/or technical assistance to stakeholders, research and analysis, or enforcement of program guidelines/policies/procedures) of a program (i.e., the provision of a service or an administrative oversight/enforcement responsibility).

2) All of the following (a and b):
a. A total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and
b. A total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience.

3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Program Planner 1.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.