Family Involvement Coordinator - GEAR UP

Please note: This is a hybrid position with a minimum of 4 days a week at school sites; some evening or weekend work may be required. Incumbent may serve the South Monterey, Pajaro Valley, or North Monterey regions. Please write about your preference in your cover letter.

There are two types of appointments available with this job posting:

• Career indefinite without an end date
• Contract with end date 1 year from date of hire with the possibility of extension
  

See below for more details

HOW TO APPLY

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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: 2/24/2026

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. The division assumes primary responsibility and leadership for enrolling a diverse undergraduate student body, ensuring enriching and supportive living and learning environments, and developing exemplary co-curricular programs and engagement opportunities that enrich the UCSC experience and support learning. 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 long-standing 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, universities and community colleges to promote an educational pipeline for success for all students.

The GEAR UP project, under the umbrella of the EPC, serves under-represented, low-income students from the Pajaro Valley region and Monterey County with the goal of increasing cohort students' participation rate in post-secondary education.

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

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the GEAR UP Assistant Director, the GEAR UP Family Involvement Coordinator (FIC) will provide direct services to middle and high school students in Pajaro Valley / North Monterey County or South Monterey County. As a seasoned, experienced professional in K-14 academic preparation, the College Facilitator independently works with assigned institutions and organizations to plan and implement a wide range of academic preparation programming. The candidate will develop and maintain program visibility in schools, collaborating with district and school staff, students and parents, and work to build collaborative relationships with K- 14 and higher education institutions, other college-going programs, and community entities.

The Family Involvement Coordinator will participate in efforts to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged and low-income students who attain eligibility and competitiveness for admission to a four-year university. The Family Involvement Coordinator will provide parent educational and outreach services designed to motivate parents of middle school and high school students to prepare academically for higher education, including: advising on college preparation, conducting parent workshops, and mobilizing and training parents to promote a college-going culture at assigned schools.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $61,500 - $73,370/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 & Contract appointment available

Job End Date:

• Career appointment has no end date

• Contract appointment ends 1 year from date of hire with the possibility of extension

Work Location: Various school sites / Hybrid (refer to note above)

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: K to 14 ACAD PREP SPEC 3 (004535), Grade 19

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

55% - Outreach

• Delivers college-going workshops to parents and families at community and school sponsored events.
• Plans and implements college-going field trips and activities.
• Implements and facilitates recruitment for events.
• Develops student academic plans to ensure post-secondary admission eligibility.
• Designs and implements grade-appropriate college-going workshops, curricula, materials and activities.
• Develops and maintains relationships with parents/families to support student academic success and access to higher education.
• Acts as an advocate for students and parents.
• Provides parent and family support for student high school completion and enrollment in higher education.

20% - Administrative and Data Tracking

• Produces program reports, collects student data, documents participant contacts and progress and tracks academic progress of program participants.
• Prepares appropriate forms and documentation needed to account for, process and capture expenditures and in kind support.
• Completes other tasks as necessary for the progress of the GEAR UP program.

15% - Collaboration

• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with other college-going programs and K-14 higher education personnel.
• Holds regular meetings with school personnel to encourage collaboration on shared goals.
• Serves on department, organization, and external committees, workgroups, and coordinating bodies.
• Participates in strategic and program planning.

10% - Supervision

• Hires, trains, and supervises part-time student and summer staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience designing, managing, or implementing projects for the target population that improve enrollment of low-income and educationally underserved students in rigorous academic programs, high school persistence and graduation, and postsecondary enrollment and attainment.
• Experience designing, implementing and monitoring academic/enrichment programs or events.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with educational equity programs serving a diverse student population.
• Knowledge of K-12 and higher education institutions (UC, CSU, CC, etc.), admissions and financial aid requirements, and the ability to interpret policies and procedures to youth, parents, and school representatives.
• Significant knowledge of high school graduation and college entrance requirements.
• Demonstrated cultural competency with respect to race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with school district administrators, school counselors, principals, teachers, parents, and community contacts.
• Bilingual written and verbal (English/Spanish).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of issues facing low-income, first generation youth and/or their families.
• Significant experience advising and supporting educationally disadvantaged students and their families regarding postsecondary opportunities and careers.
• Knowledge of up-to-date information on K-12 and higher education policies and issues, with the ability to assess their impact on program strategies.

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. This position requires the ability to report to campus to work in-person as operationally required, with reasonable notice as determined by your manager; travel expenses not covered.
• Ability to work a variable schedule.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• 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.