Associate Director- Upward Bound

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Apply now Job no: 529566
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: Upward Bound
Pay Grade: 31
Date opened: 19 Feb 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 20 Mar 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

General

Summary:

As the university’s longest-running pre-collegiate program, TRIO Upward Bound provides its high school participants (aged 13-19) with the skills and motivation necessary for successful completion of high school and entry into and completion of post-secondary education. Year-round programming includes college-preparatory academic courses, tutorials, college advising, career awareness activities, social-emotional skill-building, and cultural enrichment. The most intensive aspect of the program year, the six-week summer component, is preceded by one week of staff orientation and is run by the program’s administrative staff (Director of Programs, Associate Director, College Access Coordinator, and Student Counselor/Recruiter).

The summer program takes place on a residential campus and runs each week from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. As they progress through the program, many Upward Bound students take college courses at UMass Boston and/or participate in paid career internships. Upward Bound currently serves 126 students who attend the following partner Boston Public high schools:
Burke, Dearborn STEM Academy, Excel, and Madison Park.

The Associate Director will be responsible for developing and implementing program curricula. The incumbent will be responsible also for the recruitment, screening, selection, and intake of program participants and will meet with a caseload of program participants to provide holistic coaching and academic guidance regarding their secondary school progress, college and career goals, and postsecondary entry. In consultation with the Director of Programs, the Associate Director will plan and implement the summer program, including selecting, training, and supervising program teachers, tutors and teaching assistants and facilitating orientations for staff, students, and parents.

In the absence of the Director of Programs, the Associate Director will assume responsibility during the summer for program operations, including staff supervision, and for the safety and well-being of the 60 student attendees. During the summer, the incumbent will teach a course section. The Associate Director will plan, implement and chaperone academic, career, and cultural field trips and activities and in collaboration with other program staff, will promote and report on program events.

S/he will assist the Director of Programs with the collection of program data and the submission of regular program reports.

Examples of Duties:

Curriculum and Program Development

• Develop and implement program curricula and courses offerings; ensure that the federally mandated core curriculum is implemented and that the participants are engaged in college-preparatory courses and activities; secure and coordinate accommodations for students in need of English Learner (EL) and/or special education services;
• Coordinate the internship component of the program: identify employers on and off campus who can offer a valuable internship experience and select and place program participants and alumni into internships; prepare students for success prior to the internship experience and maintain contact with interns and with employers during the internship to support the interns’ performance; ensure that all funder requirements are met;

Staff Supervision

• Recruit, select, onboard, train, and supervise all instructional staff, including program teachers and tutors; ensure that courses are aligned with the Massachusetts Core Curriculum and program objectives and that course offerings are aligned with program regulations;

Student Recruitment and Selection

• Direct the student recruitment process; work closely with teachers, school counselors, and other school personnel and…