GEAR UP Assistant Director, South Monterey

Please note: Hybrid schedule, working mainly at school sites (up to one day remote).

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

• How to Apply
• Troubleshooting
• Tips for Applicants
• FAQ's

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 12/8/2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Santa Cruz offers a vibrant community that inspires the intellectual and personal development of all students. The Division of Undergraduate Education supports students and creates a living-learning community where students thrive, belong, and are engaged world citizens.

As a member of the Division of Undergraduate Education, the Educational Partnership Center (EPC) provides an array of school-centered and student-centered activities for students, parents, faculty, and community members across the Monterey Bay and Silicon Valley/San Jose regions to support students on the college-going pathway. The EPC coordinates new and longstanding student academic preparation efforts of the University of California, Santa Cruz with the goal of increasing access and opportunity to postsecondary education for students across our service area. The EPC provides support to faculty, staff, and outreach groups to work collaboratively with schools, community colleges, and universities to promote educational pathways to success for all students. Programs in the EPC include:

California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP)
California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative (CCRC)
Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP)
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA)
Educational Talent Search Program (ETS)
Girls in Engineering (GIE)
Access Program

The GEAR UP programs are under the umbrella of the EPC, serving targeted schools in the Pajaro Valley region, Salinas, and South Monterey County with the goal of increasing the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

More information can be found at: https://epc.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the GEAR UP Director, the GEAR UP Assistant Director- South Monterey County will manage the launch and implementation of the GEAR-UP program in partner schools. The incumbent is the primary contact and team leader of GEAR UP direct services, supervising two to seven direct service staff, and indirectly supporting several undergraduate interns. The incumbent will plan and lead efforts to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged and/or low-income students who attain eligibility and competitiveness for admission to colleges and universities and provide educational services designed to motivate middle and high school students and their families to prepare academically for higher education. The incumbent will serve as EPC designate in the assigned region and support program development, assessment, and evaluation. The incumbent will supervise, train, and develop outreach staff and support staff to ensure accomplishment of EPC and program-specific goals and objectives.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $90,000 - $98,000/Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote / Hybrid (mainly at school sites, see note above)

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: K to 14 ACAD PREP SUPV 2 (004538), Grade 21

Travel: Up to 50% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Program strategy, management and operations

Responsible for a major component of a K-14 academic preparation program:

• Plans and oversees day-to-day operations; evaluates outcomes, and ensures goals and objectives are met.
• Participates in the development and monitoring of policies and procedures for program components.
• Reviews new information and developments in K-12 and higher education policies and issues, and analyzes their impact on program strategies. Makes recommendations based upon this analysis.
• Develops short and long term strategy, evaluates outcomes, and ensures goals and objectives are met.

30% - EPC partnership and collaboration

Builds and manages relationships with diverse stakeholders and colleagues for program success:

• Serves on department, organization, and external committees, workgroups, and coordinating bodies.
• Develops partnerships / networks with K-12, higher education institutions, and community organizations.
• Serves as consultant / expert / resource to K-14 institutions and community organizations regarding college access and college-going culture.

10% - Supervision and professional mentorship

Recruits, hires, and supervises professional, student, and / or temporary staff:

• Establishes performance standards, monitors performance, and conducts appraisals.
• Coaches, provides direction, and designs professional development plans.
• Provides input on salary recommendations and corrective actions.

10% - Budget management

Assists with budget management. Monitors program component and activity budgets

10% - Program reports and analysis

Produces program reports and evaluations:

• Oversees the collection, analysis, and evaluation of student and program data to document progress toward established goals and objectives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive knowledge and experience working with educational equity programs serving a diverse student population.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of K-14 education (including knowledge of college entrance and high school graduation requirements), policies, and educational equity issues.
• 3+ years' work experience in educational outreach, and experience with low-income and/or educationally underserved students and overcoming professional or personal barriers
• Strong interpersonal skills, including presentation, communication, negotiation, leadership, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
• Advanced organizational and project management skills with ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Extensive knowledge of higher education institutions, admissions and financial aid requirements, and matriculation processes.
• Ability to work under pressure in a variety of settings and to maintain a professional demeanor at all times
• Advanced writing skills with demonstrated experience producing complex reports.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with diverse individuals and institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret college admissions and financial aid policies and procedures to K14 students, parents, and school representatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of state and national education policies, current education theories, and successful educational equity programs.
• Extensive knowledge of issues facing low income, first generation, and urban youth. Demonstrated cultural competency.
• Formal training and/or work experience in services that improve high school persistence and graduation, and postsecondary enrollment and attainment of low-income and educationally underserved students.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate has the option to work a hybrid work schedule. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Selected candidate will be required to take a TB test.
• Complete Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility (HIPAA) training within 30 days of hire.
• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC * 1092(f)).
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.