PROJECT SPECIALIST II
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General Characteristics:
A Project Specialist II is responsible for conducting market research, providing a liaison with the business community, developing and marketing training modules, advising potential students and connecting them with services and resources and for providing participants in training programs with academic and personal support services and job search skills; designs, implements and coordinates specialized training modules; develops training sites; secures rotation paid, co-op placement agreements with employers for cooperative education students; does related work as required. Physical strength and agility may be required to lift and carry boxes of printed material. Work requires excellent communication skills to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of College departments, students, businesses and agencies. Positions require the ability to work irregular hours and/or weekends.
Examples of Work:
Works with participants both individually and in groups to discuss academic planning, orientation to college, development of training plans/goals and career goals; tracks and monitors student progress; assists students in the removal of barriers to their remaining in school; develops curriculum to meet state guidelines; works with advisory committees, staff and community leaders in developing new training offerings; instructs participants; provides individual tutoring; selects and orders books and other course materials; prepares course syllabi and other materials; arranges for hourly instructors as needed; identifies participant support and training needs; provides emotional support, crisis intervention and appropriate referral to service agencies; provides ongoing advising for students dealing with domestic abuse, sexual abuse, divorce, homelessness, poverty, single parenting and alcohol or substance abuse; conducts assessment and testing; monitors student's progress during work experience; assists participants by planning job search strategies; screens and refers participants for job openings; works with large groups of laid-off workers at employer sites; coordinates vocational unemployment and assists with applications; assists participants with gaining access to federal and State financial aid packages; advocates for student needs.
Approves expenditures for emergency support services based on situational needs; maintains all paperwork required by State and federal regulations and prudent business practices; gathers materials and writes reports for funding agencies; acts as a liaison between a program and community members, the media, outside agencies and other departments on campus; establishes networks with other community agencies; monitors, evaluates and assesses current policies and procedures and develops/implements changes.
Incorporates new regulations and activities into current policy; coordinates and confers with all staff to ensure consistency of service provisions; designs, implements and coordinates specialized training modules; develops, researches and writes grants.
Performs market research through contacts with local businesses and employers; contacts employers by phone, correspondence or personal visit to determine current and future job openings and to acquaint the business community with program offerings; maintains database for employer information; develops volunteer work experience training, on-the-job training and employment sites; develops and implements marketing plan and markets various programs to employers, students and agencies; develops brochures, flyers, newsletters, reports, advertisements and press releases; plans and executes promotional activities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of purpose, philosophy and content of employment and training programs; knowledge of issues facing the economically disadvantaged, unemployed and self-employed; knowledge of training methodologies in adult education; knowledge of and skill in career planning; knowledge of campus and community resources; knowledge of women's issues as required by the position; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; skill in microcomputer operation; ability to organize work; skill in developing appropriate and effective curriculum; skill in teaching adults and youth; ability to analyze and interpret data; ability to prepare resumes and cover letters; ability to develop policies and procedures; ability to work as a member of a team and independently; ability to solve problems; ability to use active listening techniques to assess need for referral to professionals; ability to work in a fast paced and high stress environment; ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to motivate people with low self-esteem; ability to use independent judgment, make critical decisions and exercise leadership; knowledge of and skill in applying needs assessment and program development techniques; ability to promote and market a program; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, business leaders and other agency staff; ability to work with nontraditional and at-risk student populations; ability to type and operate video recording equipment, calculators, tape recorders and other audiovisual equipment; ability to make effective presentations to large and small groups; knowledge of labor laws, hiring practices and employer standards and expectations; knowledge of budget structure, funding requests and new program proposals; skill in basic marketing techniques; skill in job search techniques; ability to develop and monitor budgets; ability to analyze program management data; ability to work irregular hours and/or weekends; ability to lift and carry boxes of printed materials weighing up to 35 pounds; ability to drive as required by position; ability to work safely.
Supervision:
Reports to and works under the general supervision of a department chair or other supervisor. Assignments are received in the form of basic guidelines with the employee expected to work independently towards the attainment of program goals and objectives. Work is reviewed by the supervisor through verbal updates and periodic conferences for progress towards program goals.
This position may coordinate and lead the work of Project Specialists I, clerical assistants, instructors, student assistants, volunteers and other hourly employees. This position plans work, assigns tasks, pro- vides priorities and is available to answer questions or troubleshoot problems on a daily basis. This position may have substantial input into hiring decisions and performance evaluations.
Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree with course work or training in comprehensive program management, social work, psychology, business, human resources, education, marketing or a related field is required. Two years of experience in case management, crisis intervention, employment services, recruitment or training programs is required. A current Oregon driver's license is required for some positions.
Equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered qualifying.
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