Program Associate -GEAR UP East Kentucky

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

Reporting to the Project Director, the Program Associate (PA) provides administrative assistance to all GEAR UP East Kentucky staff. The PA will create and maintain processes for paper and electronic file management, schedule meetings and plan events, coordinate data entry, prepare meeting agendas and publish minutes, monitor and track receipts, purchase supplies, and other general office support duties. The Program Associate 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 essential functions.

• Create and maintain processes to manage program files, including service reports, agendas/attendance reports, financial reports, and grant documentation
• Clerical support for activities such as correspondence, office supply orders, resource purchasing, travel arrangements, sorting and delivering of mail
• Welcome and help prepare for guest visits
• Administer mailings to schools, parents, and program participants
• Maintain electronic files for information sharing; set-up folders, maintain calendar, and other documentation
• Review purchase card reports and travel requests prior to Project Director approval; collaborate with Finance department to ensure expenses are allowable, reasonable and necessary to meet program goals & objectives
• Collaborate with grant leadership team, director of programs, and other program associates regarding grant management/development, and operational issues
• Process, review, and prepare various reports for grant leadership team and director of programs
• Schedule and prepare meetings; disseminate agenda and provide onsite meeting support, such as registration and taking minutes
• Review and refine departmental policies and procedures to ensure consistency with workflow and follow office administration best practices
• Assist with on-site campus events involving program staff and students
• Serve on Partners for Rural Impact committees, as necessary, and represent program at meetings

Position Location & Schedule

The Program Associate will be considered for hybrid work, with local, state, and sometimes national travel required. Home office is located in the GEAR UP East Kentucky Pikeville, KY office.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with in-office 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

Associate's degree or three years' of related administrative experience

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Administrative experience within a professional office setting
• Background in bookkeeping, data entry, word processing, managing correspondence, filing, scheduling, event planning, and meeting preparation

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Knowledge or understanding of college admissions process, financial aid and scholarship information, human resources, grants management or federal college access grant programs
• Proficiency working within all Microsoft Office applications and ability to operate software on a variety of platforms
  
• Strong organizational skills, demonstrated ability to multi-task efficiently
  
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with others
• Must maintain confidentiality and protect the private nature of files and conversations; possess mature judgment and display positive attitidue

License, certification, or registration necessary:

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

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work within a high energy office all day, ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds, operation of standard office equipment
• Ability to travel independently by car and plane both regionally and nationally
  
• Ability to communicate effectively and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants

Environmental conditions:

Routine office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequency of visitors, students, staff, faculty, and callers

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Standard office equipment - computer, telephone, fax machine, copier, etc.
• Motor Vehicle

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Additional Company Information

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family.

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.
• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.