GEAR UP Virginia Regional Manager

Title: GEAR UP Virginia Regional Manager

State Role Title: Education Support Spec III

Hiring Range: $54,000 - $66,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: State Council of Higher Educ

Location: State Council of Higher Educ

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

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. Each manager travels regularly within

their assigned divisions to provide on-site support and monitor progress.

This position is ideal for someone who cares deeply about students and families, understands the barriers that affect postsecondary access, and wants to help school divisions strengthen systems that promote student preparation and success. 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 for students and families.
• Monitor and support student-focused programming such as mentoring, tutoring, college visits, summer experiences, and family engagement activities.
• Track school 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 Project 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 nights/year) are required. This position is a full-time restricted classified position, which is grant funded through 2028 and contingent upon funding.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of college admissions, recruitment, outreach, and financial aid processes, and familiarity with strategies that improve graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates.
• Understanding of Virginia's public education system, including graduation requirements, Standards of Learning (SOLs), standardized assessments, career and technical education (CTE) pathways, dual enrollment, and advanced placement.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with educators, students, and families.
• Ability to plan and manage work independently, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear reports, correspondence, and presentations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and comfort learning new technologies and data systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse groups and stakeholders.

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of federal grant program operations and related regulations.
• Experience supporting college access or readiness initiatives in a K–12 or higher education

setting.

• Familiarity with data collection and evaluation processes for program improvement.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Special Requirements

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Frequent day travel and occasional overnight travel.

Benefits:

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.

• 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
• Education Assistance
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• Telework and Alternate Work Schedules

Application Requirements:

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia does not accept "See Resume" as a response to any

question on the application. The information on the application is the primary source used for screening the

position. Failure to complete any section of the application may disqualify the applicant from further

consideration. Applications should include a complete work history, including periods of unemployment, if

applicable.

• Apply for this position at
• Complete the State application ("See Resume" is NOT an acceptable response to any question on the

application.)

• Submit a Cover Letter describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are a good match for

the position.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 pm on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia's New Recruitment Management System. PageUp provides confirmation of receipt when your application is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your PageUp account to check the status of your application for this position. You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from the electronic application and/or resume.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

State employees who have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet.

Contact Information:

Name: Rebeccah Lystash

Email:

"The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and

maintaining a competent and diverse workforce."

Equal Opportunity Employer

Contact Information

Name: Rebeccah Lystash

Phone: contact via email

Email:

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer