Program Administrator (Civic Learning & Engagement)

Program Administrator (Civic Learning & Engagement)

This position is temporary and is budgeted through the California Serves Grant Program, with funding expected to expire on June 30, 2028. Service in this position will not count toward permanent employment status.

Basic Function

The Program Administrator will integrate civic engagement service-learning opportunities into high school programs, expand access to authentic civic learning, and increase the number of students attaining the Civic Seal of Engagement.

Typical Duties

• Develop and oversee the comprehensive, district-wide plan for integrating civic learning with service-learning that aligns with California State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE) criteria.
• Provide consistent leadership and vision to ensure that all four GUSD high schools are actively engaged in the program.
• Manage and coordinate SSCE initiatives.
• Serve as the dedicated coordinator overseeing the SSCE program, ensuring that new initiatives are implemented and sustained over time.
• Establish clear plans and timelines for SSCE implementation, including progress monitoring.
• Organize and lead teacher release days focusing on service-learning practices and civic engagement.
• Collaborate with school counselors, administrators, and the Public Information Officer to streamline communication and awareness about SSCE opportunities.
• Collaborate with educators to develop inquiry-driven, SSCE-aligned curriculum units that connect classroom content to community issues.
• Guide the creation of structured inquiry cycles—where students investigate, plan, act, reflect, and demonstrate civic engagement—that promote real‑world learning.
• Establish and maintain robust relationships with local community agencies, civic organizations, and businesses to secure authentic service-learning opportunities.
• Coordinate field trips, internships, mentoring programs, and other hands‑on civic projects that support SSCE attainment.
• Act as the primary liaison between the district and external partners, ensuring that community-based opportunities are accessible and relevant to student needs.
• Work with community partners to design and implement projects that allow students to actively connect academic learning with civic action.
• Develop initiatives and communication strategies that raise awareness among students about the SSCE and the benefits of civic engagement.
• Prepare regular reports detailing progress on SSCE criteria (academic work, government understanding, civic engagement projects, reflection, and character traits).
• Analyze survey and assessment data from educators and students to inform improvements and adjust instructional practices as needed.
• Monitor disaggregated data to ensure all student populations have equal access to SSCE opportunities and adjust practices to remove any identified barriers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Valid California Teaching Credential.
• Bachelor’s degree in career and technical education, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid Administrative Services Credential (or Certificate of Eligibility).
• Valid California driver's license.
• Must reside within 45 minutes of the GUSD Administration Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English/Spanish.
• Designated Subjects CTE Teaching Credential.
• Previous experience in teaching, incorporating civic learning, or equivalent experience.
• Master’s Degree.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Effective management and conflict resolution strategies.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and standards of Civic Learning and the Civic Seal of Engagement.
• Skills in developing, implementing, and managing civic learning programs and experiences, including curriculum development, training, supervision, evaluation, and documentation.
• Skills in establishing and maintaining effective partnerships and collaborations with nonprofit organizations, community organizations, and post-secondary institutions.
• Knowledge of district and state regulations, requirements, and policies.
• Knowledge of state and federal program improvement regulations, requirements, and policies.
• Understanding of specialized programs, Education Code, and district policies.
• Program planning and development expertise.
• Strong communication skills, including initiating discussions, listening, clarifying, and facilitating interaction among group members.
• Effective verbal communication with a wide variety of people and cultural backgrounds.
• Research, reading, public speaking, and writing skills to convey ideas, reports, letters, memorandums, and survey questionnaires.
• High degree of self‑restraint, judgment, and strategies in dealing with a variety of people, adversaries, and advocates under varying situations and conditions.
• Ability to define problems, collect information, establish facts, evaluate alternate solutions, and draw valid conclusions.
• Experience screening applicants, conducting job‑related interviews, selecting candidates, and training and evaluating personnel.
• Ability to drive a vehicle to conduct work at various locations within and outside the District.

Working Environment

• Office environment.
• Outdoors.
• Driving a vehicle to conduct business.

Physical Demands

• Sit for sustained periods of time.
• Climb slopes, stairs, steps, and ladders.
• Exhibit full range of motion for shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee movements.
• Conduct frequent repetitive arm, hand, and body motion.
• Have sufficient hearing to conduct in-person and telephone conversations.
• Have sufficient physical mobility to move about school sites and drive a car.
• Have sufficient vision to read printed material.
• Speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume for normal conversational distance, telephone, and group addressing.
• Maintain physical, mental, and emotional stamina for long hours under stressful conditions.
• Stand and sit for long periods of time.
• Use dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.
• May require moderate to significant physical work and lengthy periods of standing during crisis situations.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull up to ten pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally, and lift equipment or supplies weighing up to 90 pounds.
• Can bend, twist, kneel, and stoop.
• Can reach in all directions.

Other Characteristics

• Willing to work irregular hours, days, including evenings, weekends, and on‑call for emergencies.
• Willing to travel locally.
• Willing to work at any school location and be assigned.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Gilroy Unified School District prohibits discrimination, intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment) or bullying based on a person’s actual or perceived ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator: Paul Winslow, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, 7810 Arroyo Circle, (669) 205‑4000,