GEAR UP Virginia Regional Manager (00099)

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
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