Program Manager I

State of South Carolina

Lexington, SC

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Administrative Skills, Alliance/Partner Management, Behavioral Intervention, Case Management, Coaching, Communication Skills, Community Development, Community and Social Services, Customer Support/Service, Data Analysis, Education Regulations, Educational Administration, Emergency Response, Federal Laws and Regulations, Health Insurance, Higher Education, Improvement Metrics, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Organizational Skills, People Management, Performance Metrics, Performance Reviews, Physical Demands, Policy Implementation, Problem Solving Skills, Program Evaluation, Project/Program Coordination, Project/Program Management, Regulatory Compliance, Risk, School Attendance, Set Goals, Social Work, Staff Training, State Laws and Regulations, Student Services, Team Player, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Lexington, SC
POSTED
3 days ago

Program Manager I

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Lexington County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

PM1June2026

Agency

Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School

Opening Date

06/04/2026

Closing Date

6/12/2026 12:00 AM Eastern

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

Apply on-line at www.careers.sc.gov

Class Code:

AH45

Position Number:

PM1June2026

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

Monday- Friday 7.5 hours daily

Pay Grade

Unclassified

GEN11

Hiring Range - Min.

$70,000.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$75,000.00

Opening Date

06/04/2026

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

  • Description
  • Benefits
  • Questions

Job Responsibilities

Position Summary

The Student Services Director provides strategic leadership, oversight, and administration of student support services to promote student success, well-being, engagement, and retention. This position is responsible for developing, coordinating, and evaluating programs and services that address the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and transitional needs of students. The Director works collaboratively with school leadership, instructional staff, counselors, community partners, families, and external agencies to ensure students receive comprehensive support that aligns with the mission of Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Program Management

  • Provide leadership and direction for all student services programs and initiatives.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate student support strategies that promote student achievement, attendance, graduation, and postsecondary readiness.
  • Establish goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for student services operations.
  • Monitor program effectiveness using data and performance metrics and recommend improvements.

Student Support Services

  • Oversee counseling, case management, behavioral support, intervention programs, and student assistance services.
  • Coordinate services for students experiencing academic, behavioral, social, emotional, or personal challenges.
  • Ensure students have access to appropriate support resources and referrals.

Family and Community Engagement

  • Foster positive relationships with families, guardians, and community stakeholders.
  • Develop partnerships with community agencies, workforce development organizations, social service providers, and higher education institutions.
  • Coordinate resources that support student success both during and after enrollment.

Student Advocacy and Compliance

  • Advocate for student needs and ensure equitable access to programs and services.
  • Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to student services.
  • Support implementation of policies concerning student welfare, attendance, discipline, and student rights.
  • Ensure confidentiality and proper handling of student records and sensitive information.

Staff Supervision and Development

  • Supervise and evaluate student services personnel, including counselors, case managers, social workers, and support staff.
  • Provide professional development opportunities and coaching to staff.
  • Promote a collaborative and student-centered culture among team members.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

Education

  • Bachelor's degree and relevant program experience. Relevant experience may substitute for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

Experience

  • Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in student services, counseling, education administration, or related fields.
  • Experience supervising professional staff and managing programs.
  • Experience working with at-risk youth, alternative education programs, or residential educational settings preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with at-risk youth, alternative education programs, or residential educational settings preferred.

Additional Comments

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Strong knowledge of student development, behavioral intervention, counseling practices, and educational support services.
  • Understanding of applicable education laws, regulations, and compliance requirements.
  • Excellent leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to analyze data and implement effective improvement strategies.
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations and stakeholders.
  • Commitment to fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to perform duties in an educational and administrative environment.
  • Ability to travel between campus locations and attend meetings or events as needed.
  • Ability to respond to emergencies and crisis situations when necessary.

Working Conditions

  • May require occasional evening or weekend activities.
  • Frequent interaction with students, families, staff, community partners, and external agencies.

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

Are you retired from the US Army?

  • Yes
  • No

02

If answer to Question 1 is yes, please indicate the number of years you served in the US Army.

  • Less than 5 years
  • 5 to 10 years
  • 10 to 20 years
  • More than 20 years

03

Did you receive an honorable discharge?

  • Yes
  • No

04

What is the highest rank you achieved while in the US Army?

05

Are you certified through United States Army Cadet Command (USACC), Junior ROTC Directorate?

  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School Address 3300 West Campus Road

West Columbia, South Carolina, 29170

Phone 803-896-6480

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.

About the Company

S

State of South Carolina