The Program Coordinator, Strategic Initiatives reports to the Director of Pre-College Programs and leads the development, coordination, and continuous improvement of assigned GEAR UP/College Bound initiatives across College, school, family, and community settings. The position translates grant objectives and department priorities into coordinated services, innovative learning opportunities, and measurable outcomes. Responsibilities include developing strategic partnerships, leading parent and family engagement initiatives, expanding hybrid and online programming, supporting digital credentialing, and contributing to program evaluation and sustainability. The coordinator provides implementation guidance to staff and serves as the designated administrator for Saturday programming.
This is a part-time, hourly position.
Example of Duties:
- Lead the development, implementation, and assessment of assigned Pre-College initiatives, translating department priorities and approved grant objectives into annual work plans, calendars, deliverables, measurable outcomes, and sustainable program models.
- Develop and sustain strategic partnerships with schools, College departments, employers, community organizations, and cultural and educational institutions to expand mentoring, college exposure, career exploration, experiential learning, and resources for participating students.
- Lead the development and implementation of Parent University and a coordinated family engagement strategy, including orientations, workshops, two-way communication, resource connections, parent leadership opportunities, and participation in college and career planning.
- Develop accessible hybrid and online learning opportunities and student and family resources in collaboration with program staff and appropriate College partners.
- Develop and coordinate digital badging and structured learning pathways that recognize student achievement and connect academic preparation, career exploration, and postsecondary readiness.
- Serve as a primary liaison to partner schools; establish communication protocols, clarify responsibilities, coordinate schedules and space, resolve implementation concerns, and document partnership commitments and outcomes.
- Identify, cultivate, and coordinate community partners and in-kind resources for mentoring, enrichment, family services, meals, transportation support, and other allowable program needs.
- Lead planning and implementation of academic-year, summer, evening, Saturday, cultural, recreational, college-access, and career-readiness programming in alignment with approved grant objectives and budgets; serve as the designated administrator for Saturday programming.
- Coordinate staff assignments, site coverage, program logistics, participant communications, partner deliverables, and readiness checklists; develop operating procedures, implementation tools, and staff training to strengthen consistent program delivery.
- Support recruitment, enrollment, retention, student supervision, and family engagement, including direct participation during high-volume periods and special events.
- Establish evaluation processes for assigned initiatives; review participation, service delivery, partner performance, feedback, and outcomes with staff; and lead adjustments through continuous-improvement practices.
- Coordinate budget planning and expenditure tracking for assigned initiatives with the Director and appropriate staff; maintain supporting documentation and recommend resource allocations within approved grant parameters.
- Prepare monthly implementation and outcome updates; contribute to grant reports, evaluations, presentations, monitoring visits, and documentation of effective program practices.
- Identify funding and resource opportunities and contribute to grant proposals, outcome narratives, and sustainability plans in collaboration with the Director and appropriate College offices.
- Perform related duties assigned by the Director of Pre-College Programs or designee.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree in education, counseling, higher education, public administration, nonprofit management, community development, social work, or a closely related field.
- Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in pre-college programming, college access, youth development, education, community partnerships, family engagement, or grant-funded program coordination.
- Demonstrated experience building partnerships and coordinating programs across schools, families, institutions, or community organizations.
- Prior experience coordinating staff, vendors, consultants, or partner deliverables is required; formal supervisory experience is preferred.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with program evaluation, continuous improvement, strategic planning, and grant proposal development.
- Experience developing staff training, operating procedures, and partnerships that expand student and family opportunities.
The completion of a background check will be required for the selected candidate.
Compensation: Compensation is determined by a variety of criteria, including but not limited to, previous relevant experience, education level, and certifications. The hourly pay range for this position is $38-$42.
Benefits:
- New Jersey Sick Leave: Earn 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked with a maximum of 40 hours of leave per benefit year. (Eligible to use after successful completion of probationary period.)
- Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential, limited counseling services, work-life assistance, legal and financial guidance.
- Commuter Benefits: Free parking access is provided on site. An optional Transit Pre-Tax Plan is available which allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to purchase eligible transit expenses.
- NJ Defined Contribution Retirement Program provides eligible members with a tax-sheltered, defined contribution retirement benefit, along with life insurance and long-term disability coverage. (Must meet eligibility requirements.)
- Voluntary Annuity Programs: Additional contributions to retirement account (Must meet eligibility requirements)