Director, Veterans Upward Bound - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Director, Veterans Upward Bound





Job Profile Title

Director B, Academic Affairs, Academic Administration





Job Description Summary

The VUB Director is responsible for the identification, recruitment, enrollment, and the provision of college preparatory and academic support programming to low income, first-generation veterans who are interested in pursuing postsecondary education. To this end, the VUB Director oversees the provision of mandated, direct program services to VUB participants including participant: identification, recruitment, intake, assessment, advising, academic programming, tutoring, college selection and applications, financial aid literacy, counseling, and coaching; assistance with obtaining military transcripts, applying for VA education benefits, and submitting the FAFSA financial aid application; referrals to local community service providers, VA, and institutional resources as appropriate, and the preparation and maintenance of all required eligibility and program service documentation. The VUB Director is also responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the Associate Director, Program Coordinator, and all part-time and temporary staff.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities



+ Manage, develop, and implement programming to ensure the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound Program contributes to the educational progress of 160 program participants annually in compliance with University and federal statutory and regulatory provisions.


+ Identify, maintain continuous contact with, and collaborate vigorously with veterans, veteran-serving organizations, university faculty and staff, veteran connected community leaders, corporate leaders, and educational/community/veteran-related agencies and administrators for the purpose of recruitment. Encourage enrollment into the program through non-traditional mechanisms including media, church, and other community presentations. Schedule and conduct recruitment presentations. Complete recruitment reports as required.


+ Provide leadership in the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, supervision, and evaluation of full and part-time staff in the development and delivery of an innovative, hybrid, academic and college preparatory curriculum to ensure the academic growth of veteran students and their transition into higher education.


+ Establish and maintain systematic recordkeeping and data collection procedures for documenting participant eligibility, service provision, and program evaluation, including maintaining and updating files, monitoring participants’ performance, program retention, program completion, post-secondary enrollment, and progress toward college graduation.


+ Prepare and monitor annual budget. Complete annual financial reports. Allocate resources and manage expenditures in accordance with federal, University, divisional, and departmental policies, and procedures. Oversee the technical submission of grants and government reports.


+ Assure and document participant receipt of referrals to other needed resources including housing, employment, mental, emotional, physical, substance abuse assistance, and navigation through criminal justice and probationary systems.


+ Ensure the completion of electronic and paper data entry and filing; conduct routine audits and reconciliation of program data; create and prepare reports capturing program data; and conduct regular assessment of program objectives status.



Qualifications



+ Master's Degree in Education, Counseling, or Social Work, or 3 to 5 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field, is required. Military service with an honorable discharge is a plus.





Job-Related Knowledge and Skill



+ Preference for candidates with experience working with veterans or within a community/university/college Veteran Resource Centers, EOP, TRIO Program.


+ 3+ years of programming experience, preferably in college access and pipeline programs.


+ Experience in high school and/or college admissions recruitment and/or experience with externally funded, federal, or state academic support programs a plus.


+ Strong leadership, digital literacy, organization, interpersonal, communications, presentation, and information management skills.


+ Demonstrated commitment to serving and preparing underserved, racially and culturally diverse participants for academic success and post-secondary enrollment.


+ Experience working with low-income, first-generation participants.


+ Experience with instructional design and virtual learning environment.


+ Strong organizational, programming, motivational, and leadership skills.


+ Strong interpersonal, written, presentation and technology skills.


+ Demonstrated commitment to diversity.



Application Requirements



+ A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.







Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Provost Interdisciplinary Programs





Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $80,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.




Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.