Director of Opportunity Youth

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

Partners for Rural Impacts (PRI)ultimategoal 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 ruralplacesachieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, whereweveworked for 25 years to create studentopportunityand success.

Position Summary

TheReengaging Opportunity Youth in Deep East Texas is a regional partnership to reconnect rural young people ages 1624 who are disconnected from school or work (Opportunity Youth) with pathways to a high school diploma, postsecondary credentials, and high-wage, high-demand careers. The initiative brings together six rural school districts,education, workforce,postsecondary,and employer partners to create sustainable, flexible reengagement systems and workforce-aligned education opportunities.

The Director ofOpportunity Youthis a full-time, key role that will work collaboratively with local and regional partners to ensure aligned vision and execution of the work supporting young people. The Director, reportingtothe Vice President, will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for theinitiative across six rural East Texas districts. This role willlead and align workwitheducation, workforce, and community partners to ensure effective program implementation, accountability, and sustainability. The Director isa visionary leader with a deep understanding of rural education systems, Opportunity Youth reengagement, and cross-sector collaboration.The position leads andoperateswith the goal that All Rural Opportunity Youth are on a Path to Economic Mobility.

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 abilityrequired, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Program Managementand Leadership

• Leadin the development andimplementation of theReengaging Opportunity Youthinitiative across six partner school districts (Central, Diboll, Hudson, Jasper, San Augustine, and West Sabine ISDs)

• Serve as the primary point of contact between Partners for Rural Impact, Region One and Region Seven ESCs, Stubblefield Learning Center, and district leaders

• Convene andfacilitatepartner meetings, ensuring alignment among education, workforce, and postsecondary partners

• Hold accountability for measurable, population-level reductions in Opportunity Youth disconnection across Deep East Texas,establishingshared targets and aligning cross-district strategies

• Lead the development and execution of a multi-year regional systems roadmap,identifyingstructural barriers, redesigning reengagement pathways, and institutionalizing flexible, competency-based options across partner districts.

• Identifyand advocate fordistrict and state policy that advances the improvement of Opportunity Youth outcomes

• Foster strong cross-functional relationships by regularly engaging with different departments (such as Finance, Communications and Data Evaluation)

• Provide oversight, coaching, andmentoring todirect reports

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build andmaintainstrong relationships with local employers, colleges, and community-based organizations to create aligned career pathways and learn and earn opportunities

• Represent Partners for Rural Impact in regional, state, and national conveningsand networksrelated toOpportunity Youth and rural systems innovation

• Design and steward a cross-sector structure that aligns school districts, workforce systems, postsecondary institutions, employers, and community partners around shared accountability, braided resources, and coordinated decision-making.
• Strengthening the Field. Contribute to PRI's national work supporting communities. Examples include participating in webinars, contributing resources to the digital portal, designing a session at the Rural Summit

Data, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Region One and Region Seven ESCs to oversee shared data dashboards tracking reengagement, progress, and outcomes

• Lead data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement across partner sites

• Prepare progress reports, presentations, and documentation for funders and leadership

• Monitor, evaluate, and adjust strategies as needed in collaboration withpartners

Sustainability & Policy Innovation

• Support development of local sustainability plans to embed reengagement and credentialing strategies within district operations

• Contribute to statewide learning networks and policy efforts that promote flexible, competency-based pathways for rural Opportunity Youth

• Collaborate withPRI Leadership and the TLL Temple Foundationtoidentifystrategic partnerships that enhanceprogram development, address resource gaps, and expand opportunities foropportunity youth

• Influence and align resource flows across partners, including development of braided and blended funding strategies, investment alignment, and long-term financial sustainability planning in collaboration with PRI leadership and local philanthropic investors

• Represent PRI and the initiative in state-level policy and strategy conversations, working with the Texas Education Agency and other stakeholders to advance policy flexibilities and accountability innovations that support rural Opportunity Youth reengagement systems

• Collaborate with Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas HigherEducation Coordinating Board,and regional ESCs to explore policyflexibilitiesand accountability innovations to support Opportunity Youth

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary toassistand support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed

Position Location & Schedule

The positionis an in-person positionlocatedin Diboll, Texas,withfrequent localand regional travelrequired. Somenational travelis required.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.ETwith in- office,hybridand/or remoteworka 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:

• Masters degree in education, public administration, workforce development, or related field (or equivalent experience

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Minimum7 yearsof progressive leadership experience in education, workforce, or youth development

• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-partner initiatives or grants

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with federal, state, and local officials to inform, develop and implement policy accelerating outcomes for students, families, and communities

• Demonstrated project management experience with a focus on systems alignment, direct services, capacitybuildingand budgeting

• Demonstrated success in a complex, fast-paced, high-performing organization, with the ability to prioritize projects and work cross-functionally

• Experience working with the Texas Education Agency,Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,ESCs, or rural school districts

Special skills,knowledgeand abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Superior interpersonal and organizational skills

• Collaborative and collegial leadership style

• Demonstrated ability to cross boundaries of race, class, ethnicoriginand personal philosophy; capacity to work effectively with a broad range of constituencies

• The skills to effectivelyrepresentPartners for Rural Impact in meetings for sharing knowledge,collaboratingand building partnerships

• Competencies to effectively supervise staff and consultants

• Strong knowledge of rural education systems, CTE, and dropout recovery or reengagement strategies

• Familiarity with data systems,outcomestracking, and grant reporting.

• Background in Opportunity Youth programming, workforce readiness, or postsecondary success initiatives

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid drivers license

• Successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work in a high energy office

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants

• Ability to occasionallylift upto 25lbs

• Ability to travel independently by car and plane regionally and nationally

• Ability tooperatestandard office equipment

• Ability tooperatemotor vehicle

Environmental conditions:

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities
  

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 employeeassistanceprogram.

• 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.

• Tuitionassistanceand 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.