Title: GEAR UP Virginia Regional Manager (00099)

State Role Title: Education Support Spec III

Hiring Range:

Pay Band: 4

Agency: State Council of Higher Educ

Location: State Council of Higher Educ

Agency Website: https://www.schev.edu/

Recruitment Type:

Job Duties

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) invites applications for the position of GEAR UP Virginia Regional Manager. This position supports the implementation of the U.S. Department of Education’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant, which serves more than 8,000 students in 20 high schools across 12 school divisions.

Regional Managers serve as the primary liaison between the GEAR UP Virginia central office and their assigned partner school divisions. They provide guidance, training, and technical assistance to help schools plan and implement activities that prepare students for postsecondary education and career success. Regional Managers also help cultivate a local college-going culture by supporting schools in developing strategies that increase access and readiness for students and families, and by supporting students during their transition to and first year of college. Each manager travels regularly within their assigned region to provide on-site support and monitor progress.

This position is ideal for someone who cares deeply about helping students and families succeed, understands the barriers that affect college access and success, and enjoys working with educators, school divisions, postsecondary partners, and community organizations to expand educational opportunities. Regional Managers work independently to coordinate and oversee GEAR UP implementation, ensuring that local activities are responsive to student needs, compliant with program requirements, and aligned with statewide goals.

In addition to supporting their assigned divisions, each Regional Manager leads one specialty area, such as supporting students with disabilities, family engagement, or summer programming. They collaborate with colleagues to strengthen statewide coordination and contribute to ongoing efforts to improve college readiness and postsecondary outcomes for all students.

Core responsibilities include:
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school and division leaders, serving as their primary point of contact for all aspects of GEAR UP Virginia.
• Support schools in developing and implementing annual Implementation Plans that align with grant objectives and performance measures.
• Serve as a local resource on college access by sharing strategies, materials, and professional development that help schools strengthen their college-going culture.
• Provide ideas and guidance to help schools expand postsecondary opportunities and support successful transitions for students and families.
• Monitor and support student-focused programming such as mentoring, tutoring, college visits, summer experiences, and family engagement activities.
• Track progress toward project objectives, monitor student outcomes, and review expenditures to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Lead one statewide specialty area (such as family engagement, support for students with disabilities, or financial aid) and contribute to broader college access initiatives across Virginia.
• Represent GEAR UP Virginia at regional and statewide meetings, trainings, and events, and share effective practices with other partners.

The Regional Manager reports to the GEAR UP Virginia Assistant Director and works full-time, Monday–Friday, with flexibility for telework and alternate schedules. Frequent day travel (2-3 days/week) and occasional overnight travel (8 - 12 nights/year) are required. The Gear Up Virginia Regional Manager is a full-time restricted classified position, grant funded and contingent upon funding.

In addition to rewarding work experience, SCHEV offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state-funded short and long-term disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.
Additional benefits include:

• State Health Benefits
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Holidays
• Paid and Unpaid Leave
• Group Life Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance
• Long-term Care Insurance
• Employee Wellness Program Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Education Assistance
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• Telework and Alternate Work Schedules

Minimum Qualifications

● Knowledge of college access, admissions, financial aid, and strategies that help students enroll in and complete postsecondary education.
● Knowledge of Virginia's K–12 and postsecondary education systems, including graduation requirements, advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career and technical education.
● Knowledge of public school division operations and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with school divisions, colleges and universities, community partners, and families.
● Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple projects independently while meeting deadlines.
● Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences through presentations, training, technical assistance, reports, and professional correspondence.
● Ability to collect, interpret, and report program and student data to support grant requirements and program improvement.
● Ability to work independently in a remote environment and use technology to communicate, collaborate, and manage work.
● Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the ability to learn new software and data systems.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and use personal vehicle to drive to job related activities or have reliable transportation to get to job related activities.

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of federal grant program operations and related regulations.
• Experience supporting college access or readiness initiatives in a K–12, higher education, or nonprofit setting.
• Experience collecting, tracking, and analyzing program or student data for reporting or program improvement.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia does not accept “See Resume” as a response to any question on the application. The information on the application is the primary source used for screening the position. Failure to complete any section of the application may disqualify the applicant from further consideration. Applications should include a complete work history, including periods of unemployment, if applicable.
• Apply for this position at https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home.
• Complete the State application (“See Resume” is NOT an acceptable response to any question on the application.)
• Submit a Cover Letter describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are a good match for the position.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 pm on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. PageUp provides confirmation of receipt when your application is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your PageUp account to check the status of your application for this position. You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from the electronic application and/or resume.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.
State employees who have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (804) 371-7401. Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet.

Agency Contact: Jamie Porter, Email: jamieporter@schev.edu
Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes. For assistance, contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov.

“The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse workforce.” Equal Opportunity Employer

Contact Information

Name: Taris Harmon

Phone: 804-332-1654

Email: taris.harmon@dhrm.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.