Project Director, National PartnerCorps

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success.

Position Summary

This is a key-full-time position with Partners for Rural Impact. The Project Director is responsible for ensuring that the program is in compliance with funder guidelines; management of daily operation of the program through hiring, supervising, training, and guiding staff in the development, implementation, and evaluation of program activities; and operating the program in a fiscally prudent manner that is in compliance with all funder requirements. Additionally, the Project Director will work with stakeholders, affirming that data drives services, and documenting continuous project improvement. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Develop and refine project operations, supervise staff hiring, development, and performance evaluation, oversee budget planning
• Ensure services as proposed in the grant application are being effectively and efficiently delivered
• Ensure the project is operated in a fiscally prudent manner and follows all fiscal requirements
• Audit and approve all required reports and in compliance with AmeriCorps guidelines
• Work with independent evaluator as necessary to ensure fidelity in delivery of services, alignment to logic model and progress toward outcomes
• Ensure data is collected in a timely and efficient manner and provide feedback to key stakeholders
• Guide development of yearly Results Plan ensuring strategies meet student, parent, and school professional development needs
• Identify and engage partners in supporting the model; develop a sustainability plan to expand and sustain the most effective programs
• Work with colleges, businesses and communities to build partnerships that strengthen program
• Recruit, supervise, train and lead AmeriCorps members
• Conduct site visits to high schools to evaluate staff and program activities to ensure compliance
• Mentor and coach AmeriCorps members to ensure they are receiving a quality service experience
• Continuously review student data to ensure performance measures are being met and services are having the desired impact
• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed

Position Location & Schedule

The position will be considered for remote work with local, state, and sometimes national travel required.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Bachelor’s degree in educational administration, or related field, with a master’s degree strongly preferred

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Minimum five years’ experience in personnel, program, and fiscal management
• Demonstrated experience with grant management
• Demonstrated knowledge and leadership in program evaluation
• Leadership in school reform, college/career readiness and evaluation

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Experience working, living or serving in rural communities
• Familiarity with national service programs
• Knowledge of school reform, college/career readiness, and evaluation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Superior interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Exceptional Excel skills including data processing, spreadsheet creation, and Pivot tables

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements:

• Occasionally lift or carry up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to courier throughout campus to deliver and pick up correspondence or materials for the office
• Ability to work within a high energy office all day
• Strong verbal presentation skills
• Ability to travel independently
• Ability to drive car/van

Environmental conditions:

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities
• Periodic travel to meetings and events
• Routine office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequency of visitors, students, staff and callers.