Engagement Coordinator

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, staff, and students that make the university a great place to work.  

As a community of Dornsife College “we are committed to the creation, preservation, and communication of fundamental knowledge in all its forms…as well as a lifelong passion for learning and a commitment to the betterment of society.”  The academic mission of Dornsife College can only be realized to its fullest potential when we build and protect a representative, equitable, inclusive culture of scholarship for students, faculty, and staff.  This is not done through initiatives but by embedding these values into the everyday interactions, relationships, policies, and practices of the College.  What is required is a seamless integration of the tenets of equity and inclusivity into every facet of academic life.  If we want our scholars, staff, and students to be able to give their very best, we must create an academic environment that portends success.  

Success is possible when every member of the Dornsife community owns their role as a steward of the culture in which we learn, research, and work; when we believe that it is because of who we are that we are able to do what we do: achieve excellence, together. 

Achieving a robust and inclusive academic culture requires more than just the completion of a task, but includes that person’s capacity to contribute positively to the relationships and culture of their office or department.  Therefore, any applicant seeking to advance the mission of Dornsife College should also be assessed on their capacities beyond the technical elements of their work, and demonstrate an understanding of their impact on others, and to articulate how they contribute positively to those around them.

The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking a creative and organized individual to serve as Engagement Coordinator in the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability (WIES). The largest and oldest of the USC schools, USC Dornsife functions as the academic core of the university, offering courses and advancing knowledge across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. This position is located on the USC University Park Campus (UPC) and reports to the Experiential Learning & Engagement Lead at WIES. The successful candidate will help advance the University and Institute’s mission of facilitating world-class student education, research, and skills training in environment and sustainability. This position is being posted as a 2-year fixed-term position to start, with the potential to transition the successful candidate into a permanent position at the end of the second year.

With direction from WIES leadership and the Experiential Learning & Engagement Lead, the Engagement Coordinator will help develop, coordinate, and execute innovative and high-impact activities supporting the institute’s work in environment and sustainability. The successful candidate will primarily support the Experiential Learning & Engagement Lead in: 1) advancing undergraduate programming that extends the WIES educational experience beyond the classroom, 2) supporting impactful co-curricular student experiences both on and off campus; and 3) organizing key WIES events to engage campus audiences and/or the general public including conferences or symposia, speaker seminars, campus tabling events, and donor or alumni programs.

While the individual will be based at the UPC campus in Los Angeles, the Engagement Coordinator is expected to foster close relations with WIES staff at the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Catalina Island and to develop a strong working knowledge about the institute’s dual-campus opportunities. Engagement programs may occur on USC’s UPC campus, the WMSC campus, and/or at other Los Angeles locations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Engagement Coordinator is responsible for the development, coordination, and execution of extracurricular programs and signature events with WIES.

• Coordinates and prepares for events and student engagement programs. Designs, coordinates and delivers innovative and impactful programs that meet the institute's goals in consultation with supervisor and Wrigley leadership.
• Recruits and manages relationships with guests and partners as appropriate. Acts as a liaison between relevant departments, schools and/or external stakeholders.
• Attends programs and events to monitor activities and ensure details are handled as planned. Determines staffing needs, authorizing or securing additional workers or students as required. Works with or gives guidance to others involved in program planning.
• Participates in publicizing programs by coordinating marketing and promotional campaigns and strategies. Identifies target groups, develops concepts, designs and coordinates mailings of promotional materials and invitations, and directs logistical planning.
• Maintains engagement calendar with awareness of shifting organizational priorities and adapts schedules and timelines accordingly. Maintains records on activities, progress and outcomes.
• Reviews and reconciles budgets and expenditures on a program or event basis. Coordinates with internal members (e.g., budget and finance teams) to book vendors and process payments to vendors as necessary.
• Contributes to an inclusive environment, building and maintaining strong cross-functional relationships and a deep understanding of organizational and university cultures. Upholds the principles of the USC Code of Ethics. Demonstrates alignment to the organization's and university's strategic plans through words, actions, and ideas.
• Supports additional WIES engagement or education programs as appropriate.

The Engagement Coordinator is expected to provide a user experience of outstanding quality that includes a friendly, service-oriented approach; the ability to work in a team setting with students, staff, visitors and administrators; a work ethic that fosters timely responses to inquiries; and effective and innovative problem-solving skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Education: High school diploma, or combined experience/education as substitute
• Minimum Experience and Field of Expertise: 2 years of experience in environmental studies or sustainability, special events, event planning (e.g. developing concepts, creating and estimating budgets, producing promotional materials). Experience with audio/visual equipment.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple schedules
• Excellent interpersonal and written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work within a team atmosphere and building and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders
• Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community including faculty, students, and staff

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Preferred Education: Bachelor’s Degree in environmental studies, sustainability, business administration, communications, public relations or related field; plus 3-5 years experience working in higher education
• Other Preferred Skills: Proven project management abilities. Experience with student mentoring, or with field or travel-based programs. Experience planning and coordinating events; understanding of relevant state and local event regulations.

Schedule:    Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. Some weekend and after-hours work required. This position is eligible for overtime.

Location: Los Angeles, USC University Park Campus (flexibility to work 1-2 days remotely)

Salary range: The hourly rate range for this position is $32.17 - $36.01. 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.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

About the Wrigley Institute

The mission of the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability is to inspire global environmental solutions through frontier research and education. Located in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, one of the nation’s premier research universities, we also have a satellite campus on California’s beautiful Santa Catalina Island. Through education, research, and engagement, we train the next generation of environmental leaders, develop original solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental problems, and encourage nonpartisan action for sustainability and environmental justice.

WIES is part of USC’s oldest and largest school, the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and a key player in the university’s high-profile sustainability initiatives. We are home to:

• Dornsife’s Environmental Studies academic program, which grants both undergraduate and graduate degrees;
• The Wrigley Marine Science Center, our Catalina Island research base;
• The USC Hyperbaric Chamber, which serves the Southern California dive community;
• USC Sea Grant, which conducts outreach and advocacy on the urban ocean;
• Research centers on Earth & Environmental Systems, Applied Environmental Solutions, and Social Transformation; and
• Signature public events that bring together business leaders, policy-makers, activists, and scholars for conversations of consequence on the environment and sustainability

A job with the Wrigley Institute is an opportunity to help solve one of the most important challenges of our era. We are growing rapidly, with dedicated communications and DEI programs to help maximize our reach and ensure that the work we do is beneficial for everyone. Join us to help create a more sustainable future!

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. 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.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.  

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

Minimum Education: High school or equivalent Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Skills: Experience with special events planning, fundraising management, or alumni and volunteer relations management. Experience with contracts and other legal documentation. Ability to support event planning (e.g., developing concepts, creating and estimating budgets, producing promotional materials). Experience with audio/visual equipment. Excellent organizational skills and ability to maintain multiple schedules. Excellent interpersonal and written and oral communications skills. Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree Hospitality Management Or Bachelor's degree Business Administration Or Bachelor's degree Communication Or Bachelor's degree Public Relations Or Bachelor's degree in related field(s) Preferred Experience: 3 years Preferred Skills: Experience in higher education. Experience planning and coordinating corporate events. Proven leadership and project management abilities. Understanding of all relevant state and local event regulations. Knowledge of local community. Fluent in one or more languages other than English (e.g., Spanish, Korean).