Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Director of STEP & Pathways to Opportunity Statewide

Class: Management | Exempt status: Exempt | Grade: M

The Director of STEP & Pathways to Opportunity Statewide oversees the implementation of the College Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Training and Employment program (STEP) Consortia Grant and Pathways to Opportunity programs.  The Director provides technical assistance to Consortia Colleges, recommends and participates in program design and development, provides onboarding to colleges joining in the grant, and works to ensure colleges are in compliance with grant requirements.  The position partners with Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Workforce Development and ensures grant compliance, maximization of revenue, messaging integrity with funders, and most importantly ensures a student-centered experience that maximizes the holistic resources accessed and available.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides operational leadership and accountability for administrative procedures, systems and practices related to development, planning, and implementation of goals and objectives for the College’s statewide and Pathways to Opportunity Programs.
2. Oversees technical assistance support through a combination of webinars, training, and onsite monitoring visits to assure successful grant applications, reporting, compliance, deliverables, and outcomes.  Provides presentations to regional and statewide groups.
3. Collaborates on the development, implementation, and monitoring of grant contracts and amendments with multiple community colleges.  Oversees maintenance of effective records and documentation for grant contracts and deliverables.  Ensures compliance with applicable internal and external programs and grant requirements are met.
4. Analyzes and evaluates data relating to program success and other areas and shares information with appropriate audiences.  Assesses programs for need, effectiveness, and opportunities for continuous process improvement.
5. Leads STEP Consortia and Pathways to Opportunity by promoting peer learning, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.  Facilitates and/or participates in workgroups to address policy and practice implications and innovations.
6. Ensures culturally responsive and inclusive operations that center historically underserved and marginalized communities; accountable for flexible service delivery modalities that support access and equitable student outcomes.
7. Represents the STEP Consortia and Pathways to Opportunity at a variety of meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees, and/or other related events.  Provides presentations to regional, statewide, and national groups.
8. Creates and maintains collaborative and productive partnerships across Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, administrative systems and services, and shared governance bodies in order to integrate institutional effectiveness and planning efforts and holistic student support at PCC and other colleges.
9. Acts as College primary administrative point of contact for internal and external issues and relationships related to STEP and Pathways to Opportunity.
10. Develops, oversees, analyzes, and makes budget decisions in alignment with College strategic plan, values and priorities.  Forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies for the department.  Approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate.  Assumes institutional authority for grants, contracts and technology portfolio that directly support the department’s programs and activities.  Implements and allocates resources following budget approval.
11. Supervises academic professionals, classified staff, technical/support, interns and/or student staff.  Reinforces staff’s development of PCC’s leadership competencies.  Evaluates, supports, and provides guidance on professional development plans and goals for staff in accordance with practices, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.  Hires, evaluates, trains, disciplines and recommends dismissal of staff as necessary.
12. Supports, implements and promotes advancement of the district’s equity goals and assists in the hiring of a staff that reflects the diversity of the district.  Participates in and supports activities that enhance equity-minded recruiting, hiring, and employee retention practices.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work environment includes frequent disruptions and changes in priorities. Work is generally performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule. Working hours may vary and some evening or weekend work is required. Frequent travel to other locations in and outside of the College district is required and possession of a current driver license. No special coordination beyond that used for normal mobility and handling of everyday objects and materials is needed to perform the job satisfactorily.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Administration, Education, Organizational Development, Social Science or related area. Five (5) years progressively responsible experience in workforce development or higher education implementing complex programs, projects, or grants involving multiple external partners. Two (2) years of supervisory experience.

OR Bachelor’s Degree in Administration, Education, Organizational Development, Social Science or related area AND seven (7) years progressively responsible experience related to the area of assignment including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

OR Bachelor’s Degree in any field AND nine (9) years progressively responsible experience related to the area of assignment including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

OR eleven (11) years progressively responsible experience related to the area of assignment including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Program development, budgeting, and project management;
• Grant/contract development and administration;
• Public relations, marketing, and strategic planning principles;
• Principles of data analysis;
• Applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, rules, and regulations;
• Understanding of workforce development system structure and procedures, Higher Education principles and practices, trends and employment needs throughout Oregon.

Skills in:

• Directing and providing strategic leadership to staff;
• Planning, implementing, improving, and evaluating programs, policies, procedures, and financials;
• Evaluating research to identify potential solutions, resolve problems, and provide information;
• Utilizing data and assessment outcomes for communication and to make continuous improvements for programs and services;
• Managing change and sensitive topics;
• Speaking in public and communicating technical information to a non-technical audience;
• Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously;
• Working with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff and partners.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with other states, federal agencies, national organization and related professional associations;
• Effectively present complex policy and practice information to multiple audiences;
• Negotiate and monitor multiple contracts and contract amendments;
• Manage healthy conflict to resolve issues in alignment with College mission and goals;
• Apply independent judgment to interpretation and application of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Revised: 5/2021

Portland Community College is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.