Program Planner 3 (GEAR UP Iowa Coordinator)

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 Coordinator for the Community Engagement Section in the Bureau of Iowa College Aid.

This person will provide advanced professional level program work by coordinating GEAR UP Iowa activities, including program operations, assisting with procedures and workflows, development and implementation annual work plans and district/school implementation plans, as well as ,oversight and support for compliance and evaluation efforts, and assistance with outreach and communication efforts to foster strong internal and external partnerships that help grow the reach of and engagement with our work.

Your Responsibilities

• Provide advanced planning and coordination for GEAR UP Iowa programs and initiatives, including:
• Serving as project coordinator for the program, assisting the Section Chief in coordinating internal work activities that affect program operations;
• Assisting in coordination of internal work activities that affect program operations;
• Overseeing the development and implementation of annual work plans for the program, including district/school implementation plans, and ensuring alignment with the GEAR UP guidelines, proposal, framework, bureau/department goals, and compliance with state and federal guidelines;
• Coordinating work flow and assignments of GEAR UP Iowa Facilitators and supporting them in relationship management with districts, college, universities, and community partners;
• Providing technical assistance and advanced planning assistance to programs and staff, including mitigation of escalated issues;
• Supporting outreach and communications efforts, overseeing the implementation of communications strategies to support GEAR UP Iowa;
• Organizing professional development workshops and trainings for partner districts and staff, assessing individual and school/district-specific needs and aligning training plans accordingly;
• Making presentations concerning GEAR UP Iowa and associated activities at conferences, workshops, trainings and meetings; and
• Serving as an information resource for administrators, colleges, staff, community members and partners.
• Ensure compliance with fiscal management of funds and assure documentation of actual expenditures according to implementation plans and budgets. Prepare budgets, analyze and report on expenses and assure cost control for programs. Oversee the collection, documentation and progress on non-federal match requirements. Prepare annual performance reports, as required.
• Development and implementation of a partnership strategy that ensures follow-up, sustained engagement, and necessary documentation in support of strong partnerships with colleges, universities, community organizations, schools, and others for program implementation and dollar-for-dollar matching contributions, as required by the grant. This includes the development of a meeting schedule and agendas for the GEAR UP Iowa Advisory Council and any associated teams/groups.
• Assure the collection of program evaluation data in support of research and evaluation plans; monitor program implementation and identify needs; prepare evaluation reports in collaboration with community partners; and submit regular progress reports to the Section Chief, and other entities as determined.
• Assist the Section Chief in the implementation of Section strategies and tactics, supporting cross-departmental and team collaboration, and department strategic planning efforts. Other duties as assigned.
  
  

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 [email protected] .

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
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Five years of experience in secondary and/or postsecondary education.
• Experience in training and/or curriculum development, preferably in college access.
• At least three years of experience in project/program development and management, including working with multiple stakeholders to achieve project goals.
• Ability to engage and coordinate a broad network of partners and volunteers.
• Budget and federal grant management experience, particularly managing multiple budgets that flow into one.
  
  

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience leading workshops, presentations, or classes.
• Experience with program operations relating to data, evaluation or compliance
• Experience with Google Suite
• Experience with IowaGrants and/or Salesforce, or similar systems
  
  

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

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Seven 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).
• All of the following (a, b, and c):
• One year 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); and
• A total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and
• 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.
• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes nine months of full-time work as a Program Planner 2 or twenty-seven months of full-time work as a Program Planner 1.
  
  

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