Program Specialist

Overview

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.

The Program Specialist supports business unit development and execution of state and community engagement goals and objectives within the business unit plan and enterprise strategy. Collaborates on the execution of outreach, advocacy, and communications projects as assigned. Facilitates the business unit's volunteer recruitment, training, and recognition activities. Supports volunteer needs and designs opportunities to maximize volunteer engagement. Provides leadership and support in the development and implementation of volunteer events and manages special projects. Provides business unit operational and systems support as needed.


Responsibilities

• Supports a business unit by regularly providing operational and administrative support on a variety of projects, programs, and initiatives, including conducting research, summarizing information, creating presentations, facilitating meetings, analyzing and developing reports, and providing recommendations. Tracks budgets, expenditures, and project/program activities. Organizes and maintains necessary technology, systems, and electronic records.
• Recruits, trains, develops, deploys, and supports volunteers in accordance with organizational goals and in alignment with volunteer interests. Ensures inclusion of volunteer perspectives in strategic planning. Collects and analyzes data to evaluate the progress of volunteer programs.
• Develops and coordinates specific aspects of training for staff and volunteers in collaboration with others, from conducting needs analysis to determining training needs and priorities, developing training materials, coordinating training schedules, and delivering and assessing training effectiveness.
• Plans, organizes, and implements projects, following established quality standards while remaining in scope, meeting project timelines, and communicating milestones and outcomes. Organizes project teams with internal and external stakeholders to deliver on project goals.
• Works with staff, volunteers, members, chapters, volunteer programs, and other cross-functional teams to achieve the organization's goals and establish a presence for the organization in targeted communities. Supports multicultural audiences and community partnerships and builds volunteer capacity to design and execute engaging community programs and events.
• Partners with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., cross-functional teams, volunteers, members, partners, etc.) to achieve the organization's volunteer and community engagement goals at the state and local levels.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree in business, communications, public administration, political science, public policy, or related discipline, and a minimum of 3 years of experience; or an equivalent combination of training, including Military and/or related experience to the duties of the position.
• Skilled in using the Microsoft 365 software package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote).
• Some knowledge and understanding of the state and local political, social, and human services environment is preferred.
• Comfortable working with a diverse staff and volunteers.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Exhibits respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgement and discretion requiring the employee to compare and evaluate various.
  courses of conduct and make a decision (or recommend a decision be made) after various possibilities
  have been considered.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.


Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.