Project Specialist - WRO Statewide Expansion

Public Strategies OverviewPublic Strategies (PS) is a nationally respected consulting, project management, and marketing firm based in Oklahoma City. We provide innovative solutions for federal, state, and local clients, including project and program management, training and technical assistance, technology, event management, research and evaluation, video production, and strategic communications. We also deliver research-informed direct services to financially vulnerable Oklahomans, with a focus on strengthening families and improving employment opportunities.We are a collaborative team of thinkers, creatives, strategists, communicators, builders, researchers, and change agents committed to touching lives, driving change, and doing good well.Position SummaryThe Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Project Specialist for Work Ready Oklahoma (WRO) Statewide Expansion implements the vision, strategies, leadership, direction, and motivation to deploy and support the implementation of a statewide system of Work Ready Oklahoma Employment Centers under the guidance of the Senior Manager. These centers provide resources to financially vulnerable individuals who need to get a job, keep a job, or find a better career opportunity. Community partners collaboratively design each center to meet the unique needs of the local business community and the regional population. Centers provide a combination of employer and community resources to best support each participant’s journey toward self-sufficiency and family stability.The WRO Employment Center system expansion will relieve low-income families, individuals, and other underserved or marginalized populations from the burden of having to navigate the complex world of program-specific services, benefits, eligibility requirements, and supports, enabling them to seek services without prior knowledge or relationship with a particular service program. This system will shift the focus from program-focused engagement to a more holistic, participant-focused engagement. Through assessments, guided conversations, and relationships, this system will enable individuals to find the right program or service pathway to strengthen their capacity for economic self-sufficiency and family stability.In support of the WRO initiative, the TTA Project Specialist is responsible for managing site training and technical assistance (TA) needs to unique local entities in communities statewide under the direction of the Senior Manager. The successful TTA Project Specialist will contribute to ensuring that WRO Employment Centers provide consistent and high-quality programs and services. This may include, but is not limited to, program and curriculum assessment, planning and implementation strategies, research and evaluation, and program facilitation.This position requires the ability to work well with all communication styles and modalities, communicating effectively in written, interpersonal, formal, informal, and electronic means.The complexity of this expansion requires project management skills and resourcefulness as the TTA Project Specialist. This position will collaborate cross functionally, conduct comprehensive planning, thoroughly document, and coordinate technical assistance and report on statewide outcomes. Research-informed solutions with measurable outcomes will be reported on a regular cycle for process improvement. Attention to detail, organization, confidentiality, and dependability are expectations for this role.Essential Job FunctionsBuild dynamic relationships and learning communities among statewide partners invested in the local development of WRO Centers and the self-sufficiency of low-income individualsProvide high quality organizational leadership to projects, including management of priorities, timelines, and objectivesConduct meetings with each WRO site, at least monthly, to determine site level TTA needs and monitor and address site performanceIdentify training needs and connect sites to applicable tools and resourcesEngage with subject matter experts as needed to develop new resources to support sitesActively communicate and collaborate with other technical assistance teams to facilitate information sharing and mutual support, create efficiencies, and ensure efforts are aligned statewideReport TTA activity and progress to key stakeholdersConducts formative background research, assessments, and analysis to identify and assess TTA needsDevelops TTA action plans, including objectives and benchmarksDelivers needs-based TTA, including but not limited to phone consultation, site visits, facilitation of peer-to-peer exchanges, webinar development andfacilitation, and development of written tools and resourcesConducts training and provides facilitation services, through TTA efforts and for direct service programs, as applicableDocuments processes, accomplishments, and next steps related to contextual, proactive and responsive TTA strategiesOther duties as assignedEducation/TrainingBachelor’s degree in business, social sciences, humanities, public administration, public policy, education, not-for-profit management, or a related fieldExperience3 to 5 years of relevant work in project management, program planning or program operations, requiredProvide coaching to the statewide network, enabling communities to meet goals through technical assistance and training, preferredProven project management skills, demonstrating the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, requiredRelevant experience may include social service program delivery, including relationship education; grant writing; program development; curriculum development; dissemination; working for or with government agencies; and working for a not-for-profit organizationManaging multiple partner organizations, government contracts, and competing priorities, strongly preferredExperience presenting to large groups of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, preferredSkills, Knowledge, and AbilitiesAbility to work a flexible schedule, evenings, and some weekends, as neededUnderstanding of government operations, preferredStrong communication and writing skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, program evaluation or development experience, requiredUnderstanding of human service programs to strengthen low-income families and the lived experience of financially vulnerable individuals, preferredFrequent travel statewide, including overnightModerate domestic travel, including via airRelationship builder, critical thinker, hard-working, detail-oriented, and flexibleWork-oriented to scalable and replicable developmentMaintain a valid Driver’s License #J-18808-Ljbffr Public Strategies Inc