Program Specialist

Founded in 1989, the USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative (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. The program enrolls close to 1,000 students annually and provides a fully funded financial aid package—minus loans—to USC for students who remain in good standing from sixth grade through high school graduation, provided they meet admission requirements. NAI also supports scholars through their first college degree.

Under the program guidelines, students commit to a seven-year plan including Saturday Academy classes, weekday morning classes at USC, after-school tutoring, and parent workshops. Parents are required to attend a biweekly Family Development Institute to reinforce student academic goals, study habits, and a healthy home environment.

About the role

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

Responsibilities

• 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 professional services such as counseling, testing and evaluation, teaching, or event planning in support of the program.
• Assists program management with administrative functions, including planning, budgeting, proposal development, and marketing of program services.
• Researches and identifies client or beneficiary needs and recommends program modifications or new programs.
• 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.
• Tests and evaluates the effectiveness of existing program content and services; recommends and implements modifications to ensure achievement of program goals.
• Researches the market and develops marketing strategies to promote the program; creates informational materials and plans activities to support these strategies.
• Participates in the development and implementation of program policies and procedures.
• Assists in program fundraising and development efforts; researches and identifies funding sources and contributes to proposal development.
• Attends events to network on behalf of program services.
• Stays informed of developments in the field by reading pertinent literature, attending meetings, and participating in professional associations.
• 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 and represents the program on university committees as requested.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Directly related professional experience in program specialization (e.g., counseling, teaching).
• 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.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to compose clear and concise letters, memoranda, agendas, and summary reports.

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.

Pay

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.