Davis Maine Scholarship Program Director
The Maine Seacoast Mission is a highly respected and well established 117-year-old nonprofit that provides educational, medical, social services, and community building support to the outer islands and coastal communities of Downeast Maine. We are committed to working with people’s strengths and honoring the capacity of individuals to choose their own course in life.
Based at the Mission’s Downeast Campus in Cherryfield, the Davis Maine Scholarship is a collaboration between the Mission and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund offering full, renewable, four-year scholarships at partner colleges for first-generation students from eastern Hancock and Washington counties.
The Program Director leads the development, implementation, and assessment of the Davis Maine Scholarship program and builds strong, supportive relationships with first-generation college students and their families. A member of the Mission’s youth engagement and scholarships team, the program director serves as resource for the team’s other programs.
We seek someone for this position with at least five years of experience in college admissions, scholarship management, guidance, or college transition support, as well as a strong commitment to serving rural, first-generation students. Familiarity with Downeast Maine is a definite plus.
Responsibilities
- Lead recruitment and selection of students for the Davis Maine Scholarship
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with selected students and their families through individual case management and family meetings from the time students are selected through their college graduation
- Establish and maintain strong partnerships with higher education, high school, and other education programs such as Upward Bound
- Coordinate facilitation of all retreats, workshops, trips and events for Davis Maine scholars, potential Davis Maine Scholars, and their families
- Serve as a team member and resource for the Mission’s college preparation and transition programs
- Manage program budget and expenses
- Collaborate as needed with the Mission’s marketing team to produce appropriate PR materials including photographs, newsletter and bulletin stories, social media posts, and website updates
- Identify, collect, present, and analyze appropriate metrics for the Davis Maine Scholarship
- Represent the program as needed at board meetings, conferences, and throughout the community
- Contribute to the Mission’s fundraising and stewardship efforts by assisting in the development of education grant proposals and reports, and meeting with donors and potential donors as requested by the president or director of development
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
As part of the Maine Seacoast Mission
- Promote and embody the Mission as a welcoming and inclusive organization, where all people are valued and respected.
- Support the values and purpose of the Maine Seacoast Mission as expressed in the “Living the Mission” conceptual framework and mission statement.
- Uphold the reputation of the Mission and honor the trust built over generations between the Mission and the communities in which we work.
Qualifications
Required:
- A minimum of five years of experience in high school or college admissions, scholarship management, guidance, and/or college transition support
- Experience with schools and/or organizations that serve first-generation college students from low income, rural backgrounds
- Experience with scholarship and college transition, persistence and completion programs
- Experience with program design, development, implementation, and assessment
- Experience working with and developing models that support families
- Familiarity with current literature and ideas about first-generation students and college success
- Ability to establish credibility and rapport with funders, school and college officials, and students and their families
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
- Computer literacy, especially with Word and Excel; familiarity with databases
Desired:
- Knowledge of Downeast Maine
- Case management experience
Special Position Requirements:
- Regular travel to homes and schools in Hancock and Washington counties as well as partner colleges in Southern Maine and Massachusetts.
- Occasional travel to major funders and conferences in and out of state.
- Occasional evening, weekend, and overnight events
- Availability to students in off hours
Work Requirements: (Work requirements for physical issues which relate to the job.)
- Ability to travel
Compensation
Salary from $58,000 to $64,000 with generous benefits including health and life insurance, pension contribution, and paid vacation, sick, and holiday time.
To apply for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to ahalkett@seacoastmission.org. We will begin reviewing applications on December 12, 2022.
The Maine Seacoast Mission believes diversity makes us stronger and is an equal opportunity employer.