Job Profile:

Under the direction of the Dean of Special Programs, the NextUP Project Manager is responsible for coordinating the Santa Monica College NextUp Program for foster youth students. Services include orientation, outreach and recruitment, educational planning, transitional support, workshops, and referrals for students to other services and agencies as appropriate. This position will also develop and provide intrusive and specialized intervention strategies for current, former, or emancipated foster youth who may be experiencing academic challenges. This position will also coordinate access to basic needs such as food, housing, and transportation and health services as they relate to our foster youth population. 

Distinguishing Characteristics

Project Manager positions are temporary academic administrator positions. Project Manager positions are specially funded and exist as long as the specific project funding continues. The job specifications are developed based on grant awards. The positions are developed to manage one or more special projects awarded to the District. Project managers generally conduct research; review, evaluate and analyze statistical data, manage budgets; prepare proposals and administrative reports; prepare summaries, narrative analyses and make recommendations. Facilitate, coordinate and fulfill project challenges. Project Managers may provide supervision to District staff, including, but not limited to directing work duties, conducting performance evaluations, recruitment, and selection.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement, administer, and evaluate programs and services for current and former foster youth students. 
• Manage, coordinate, and assess the day-to-day operations of the NextUp Program. 
• Plan, develop, facilitate, and collaborate with campus departments to deliver a wide range of student development services, college persistence and retention initiatives, i.e. orientation, application, registration, student success workshops, financial aid and scholarship application assistance, and referral to on and off campus resources. 
• Manage activities within and outside the college to enhance the student experience for foster youth students; coordinate overall outreach efforts to promote the college and the program. 
• Maintain a case management and intake system for NextUp participants. 
• Establish, collaborate, and maintain on-going communication with local community resources and organizations; serve as liaison with state, regional, and national organizations, committees, and task forces. 
• Conduct data collection to assess the progress of the NextUp Program; assess, monitor, and track the needs of current participants; recommend new initiatives according to identified needs; contribute to short and long-term department goals; implement maintenance of required records and statistical data; prepare and submit reports, compile and evaluate data. 
• Maintain annual department budget and control of expenditures. 
• Develop, implement, and direct internal control procedures, operational standards, and policies and procedures that ensure regulatory compliance. 
• Provide personnel management to staff including supervision, orientation, performance evaluation and guidance and support concerning professional development.
• Maintains friendly and supportive atmosphere for students, faculty, staff, and the public.
• Performs other duties related to the position as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Resources, programs, and funds available to foster youth students.
• Program development, implementation, and management.
• Principles of supervision and employee management.
• Community college systems pertaining to admissions, financial aid, counseling and other student services.
• Current issues, legislation and policies related to foster youth students in an educational environment.
• Principles of establishing and maintaining effective community relationships.
• Current trends in college recruitment and enrollment.
• District mission, organization, services, operations, policies and objectives.
• Methods of collecting and organizing data and information.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Principles and practices of budget oversight and control.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Principles of record-keeping, research and report preparation.
• National, regional, and local community resources and services.
• Trends and issues in California higher educational systems.

Ability to:

• Organize social and special events for the foster youth students.
• Maintain a friendly, supportive atmosphere for students, staff, faculty and the public.
• Collect and analyze data; prepare comprehensive evaluative reports.
• Advocate for programs and program participants.
• Interpret state and federal laws and regulations related to department program services.
• Prepare and deliver oral and written presentations.
• Independently manage and prioritize workload, demands, and time.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others using interpersonal skills such as tact, patience and courtesy.
• Work cooperatively with students, staff, corporate partners, local businesses, government agencies, and other educational partners and professional organizations.
• Lead, plan, organize, develop, and evaluate programs, activities and services.
• Conduct effective meetings and trainings.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Effectively use computers and computer applications such as Microsoft Office.

• Possess a Master’s degree from an accredited institution and academic leadership experience or equivalent.
• One (1) year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment.
• Evidence of an equity-minded approach that recognizes socio-economic, academic, cultural and ethnic diversity within the community college population including students with physical and/or learning disabilities. Ability to utilize effective strategies for prioritizing and integrating equity at our institution.

• Master's degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, or career developments, or the equivalent AND
• Have completed a minimum of nine semester units of college course work predominantly relating to ethnic minorities or persons handicapped by language, social, or economic disadvantages OR
• Have completed six semester units or the equivalent of a college-level counseling practicum or counseling fieldwork courses in a community college EOPS program, or in a program dealing predominantly with ethnic minorities or persons handicapped by language, social, or economic disadvantages; AND
• Have two years of occupational experience in work relating to ethnic minorities or persons handicapped by language, social, or economic disadvantages; AND
• Evidence of demonstrated cultural competency and enthusiasm in serving the diverse academic, socioeconomic, gender identity, sexual orientation, racial, and cultural backgrounds of community college student populations, including students with differing abilities (physical and/or learning), as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices within the classroom.
• Community college experience in EOPS/CARE/NextUP.
• Direct experience working with foster youth student population.
• Recent professional experience in helping students to deal with personal/psychological problems.
• Evidence of an ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Evidence of an ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of academic skills.
• Evidence of an ability to work with computers, multimedia, and other technologies that are utilized in providing high-quality instruction. 

Project Manager Application Requirements

A standard application consists of the following:

• Online District Application
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Transcript

* Additional, job-specific items may be required.  Please refer to the job posting for specific details.

Mandatory Vaccination Program

Santa Monica College has implemented a Mandatory Vaccination Program for all students and employees. For more information on the Mandatory Vaccination Program visit: https://www.smc.edu/news/presidents-messages/2021-08-04-smc-board-unanimously-approves-mandatory-vaccination-program.php Mandatory vaccination applies to all SMC employees who will be physically present and/or who will need to access college locations. All new employees must be fully-vaccinated by the first day of employment.

Diversity Statement

Recent experience working with African American, Latinx, Native American, and other racially minoritized students in the classroom; and a willingness to use culturally responsive instructional practices.

Demonstrated sensitivity to issues of diversity, and ability to motivate and teach community college students of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders, cultures, and learning styles, as well as students with disabilities or varied levels of academic preparation.

Please review our Diversity Report: Faculty/Staff Diversity Reports - Santa Monica College (smc.edu) 

Equity Statement

Santa Monica College encourages candidates that are equity-minded to apply.  SMC is a minority-serving, Hispanic-serving institution.  We actively seek to attract candidates from minority groups that value equity, diversity and inclusion.  Equity, diversity and inclusion are built into the culture at SMC and are an essential component of the work that we do.  SMC is committed to racial and socioeconomic diversity as it is a reflection of our student population and we strive to hire candidates that share this commitment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Disclosure

The Santa Monica Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity.  All qualified applicants for employment, as well as District employees, shall have full and equal access to employment opportunity.  No person shall be subjected to unlawful discrimination in any program or activity of the District.  The District's Board Policy 3420 (Equal Employment Opportunity) may be accessed at: https://www.smc.edu/administration/governance/board-of-trustees/documents/board-policy-manual/board-policies/chapter-3-general-institution/BP-3420-EEO.pdf

Equivalency Statement

The Santa Monica Community College District, in its desire to select outstanding faculty members from the largest possible pool of qualified applicants, recognizes the fact that candidates may attain expertise in a discipline through a variety of means.  Certain combinations of education, experience and other accomplishments in the field may be judged by the District as equal to the stated minimum qualifications for this position.  Candidates who feel they possess such equivalent qualifications are encouraged to apply and provide appropriate documentation of their qualifications.  For further details regarding equivalency criteria, please download the Equivalency Application Statement Form available at https://www.smc.edu/administration/human-resources/documents/employment/equivalency-statement-for-application.pdf 

Conditions of Employment

Appointment is subject to verification of official transcripts, current or previous employment, tuberculosis and fingerprint clearance.  Selected candidate must provide identification and work authorization.

For more information about Santa Monica Community College:

https://www.smc.edu

https://www.smc.edu/administration/human-resources/index.php

https://www.smc.edu/administration/human-resources/diversity-equity-inclusivity/index.php