Program Specialist

The USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative program has an opening for a Program Specialist.

Program Specialist Assists in the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of programs, services, and activities for the Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI). Provides specialized professional services, including counseling, teaching, testing and evaluation, event planning, and student support.

Founded in 1989, the USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI), the university-developed college prep program enrolls close to 1,000 students annually. USC McMorrow NAI is an academically rigorous and comprehensive, seven-year college access and success program designed to prepare students from South and East Los Angeles for admission to a college or university. Under the program guidelines, students must commit to a seven-year plan of attending Saturday Academy classes along with weekday morning classes at USC, after-school tutoring and parent workshops.

Parents are also required to attend a biweekly Family Development Institute program to create a 360-degree, hands-on approach to reinforce student academic goals and study habits and maximize a healthy home environment. Students who remain in the program in good standing from sixth grade until their high school graduation are eligible for a fully funded financial aid package- minus loans, to USC, provided they meet admission requirements. The USC McMorrow NAI program also provides support to all NAI Scholars through their first college degree.

• Provides leadership, guidance and supervision to staff, student workers, volunteers, and/or graduate assistants. Leads others in the planning and delivery of services, activities and special events. Develops and conducts program-focused training and assesses proficiency or readiness of trainees.

• Provides a professional service such as counseling, testing and evaluation, teaching or event planning in support of a university program. Assists program management with administrative functions covering planning, budgeting, proposal development, and marketing of program services.

• Researches and identifies client or beneficiary needs and recommends program modifications or creation of new programs and services. Assists in the design and delivery of programs, services and special events.

• Interfaces with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information exchange regarding program services or content.

• Tests and evaluates the effectiveness of existing program content and services. Recommends and implements modifications as necessary to ensure achievement of program goals and objectives.

• Researches the market and develops marketing strategies to promote program. Creates information materials and plans activities and events to support marketing strategies.

• Participates in the development and implementation of program policies and procedures.

• Assists in program fund-raising and development efforts. Researches and identifies funding sources. Contributes to proposal development by writing proposals or coordinating the input of others. Attends events to network on behalf of program services.

• Stays informed of developments in field. Reads pertinent literature, attends meetings and participates in professional associations as appropriate. Establishes and maintains an active network of professional contacts.

• Coordinates program services with other offices and staff on campus. Serves as a resource for program information. Represents program on university committees as requested.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree and 3 years of experience.

• Special education, licensing or certification requirements may exist for some positions based on program content and services.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 2 years of experience.

• Directly related professional experience in program specialization (e.g., counseling, teaching).

• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

This position's hourly rate is $30.60. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, essential skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

REQUIRED: -5 years minimum of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of both education and experience. -Ability to collaborate with a wide range of roles and organizations outside of the university and connect with internal departments and collaborators. -Excellent written communication skills with ability to effectively compose, clear and concise letters, memoranda, agendas, and summary reports.