Project Specialist

Position Description

The USC Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication (CCJC) seeks a Project Specialist to play a key role in supporting the Center's programs, research initiatives, events, partnerships, and community engagement efforts. The Project Specialist will lead the planning, management, and expansion of the Center's professional training portfolio, including oversight of the Climate Communication Certificate Program and a range of workshops, strategic partnerships, and customized training offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the coordination and administrative management of the Center's professional training initiatives, including the Certificate in Sustainability Communication program and Climate Stories Lab. Oversee and manage participant recruitment and onboarding, scheduling, guest lecturer coordination, program logistics, participant communications, post-program activities, publication of participant projects, development of program materials, and evaluation of participant feedback to ensure high-quality program delivery and continuous improvement.

• Coordinate and schedule customized media training programs for USC and external partners, including scheduling trainer, reserving Media Center facilities, coordinating with Media Center staff, and ensuring participants receive training materials and session recordings.

• Support staff and research assistants in developing research projects and guides for the Center, especially the annual Temperature Check report, by leading the development of the report, assisting data collection and outreach, and getting content ready for publication.

• Conduct research and analysis to inform Center initiatives, and develop briefings, memoranda, and talking points for senior staff.

• Monitor, track, and coordinate project deliverables and timelines across internal teams and external partners, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and timely execution of key initiatives.

• Support the financial and administrative operations of the Center's training programs and projects in accordance with USC policies and procedures, including processing invoices and reimbursements, monitoring program budgets, facilitating procurement, onboarding and processing payments for external vendors, and serving as a liaison to university administrative offices.

Compensation

The hourly rate range for this position is $29.00 - $31.03. 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, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Additional Information

This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.