Project Specialist - Administrative (USC Schaeffer Institute)

In order for your application to be considered, please attach a cover letter and resume to your employment application.

The Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy and Government Service has been established by a historic gift from USC Trustee Leonard D. Schaeffer. It will house two existing programs under one umbrella—the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service.

The USC Schaeffer Center is a collaboration of the Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Sol Price School of Public Policy with the mission to measurably improve value in health through evidence-based policy solutions, research excellence, and private and public sector engagement.

The USC Schaeffer Institute is seeking a Project Specialist, Administrative to provide general administrative and operations support and special project support. This position will report to the Director of Operations and work closely with the Chief of Staff and other administrative staff at the Institute. This is a one-year fixed term position with a fully on-site work arrangement. This position is funded by a contract, grant or gift.

Key duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Managing and overseeing the office operations for the Institute, including ordering and cataloguing office and kitchen supplies; greeting and liaising with guests, students, and collaborators; and distributing mail and other packages.

• Arranging Institute meetings, events, conferences, and seminars as asked, including the Schaeffer Seminar Series and other high-level visits; Coordinating with vendors, facilities, catering as needed.

• Providing administrative support to Schaeffer leadership and Scholars as needed.

• Managing student workers and volunteers.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:

2 years

Minimum Fields of Expertise:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Strong organizational skills; project management experience is a plus

• Collaborative, team-player attitude; ability to work collaboratively and independently

• Ability to prioritize across multiple tasks and deliver high-quality output in a timely manner

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects of varying complexity simultaneously with attention to detail and a high level of excellence and professionalism

• Flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity; willingness to handle both complex and mundane matters

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree

Preferred Experience:

3 years

Compensation

The hourly rate range for this position is $29.19 - $32.71. 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.

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Position is 100% FTE

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

Hours

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Subject to change based on event needs, which may include early mornings and evenings, and the occasional weekend.

Required Documents

Cover letter Resume/CV

About the USC Schaeffer Institute

The Leonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service at the University of Southern California develops evidence-based solutions to address the nation’s most pressing policy issues. Established by an historic gift from Leonard D. Schaeffer, it houses two flagship programs: the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service and the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics.

Since its inception in 2009, the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics has established itself as one the world’s top health policy research organizations. A joint enterprise with the Price School of Public Policy and the Mann School of Pharmacy, the Schaeffer Center is a recognized nonpartisan voice helping to shape health policy in Washington DC.

The Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program introduces undergraduates to government and its impact through paid internship placements at the federal, state, and local levels. Schaeffer Fellows represent a diversity of backgrounds, political perspectives, and academic disciplines; common among them is their interest in public service and informed citizenship. Since 2015, the Fellows program has placed more than 350 undergraduates from five partner universities in over 190 government offices and agencies.

Building on the successes of these programs, the Schaeffer Institute serves as a policy laboratory to develop and test ideas generated by the USC academic community. It fosters civic engagement, supports new generations of public service leaders, and provides a forum to reach federal policymakers. It has offices at USC in Los Angeles and at the USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC.

About the Price School

USC Price is the second oldest public policy school in the country and is ranked fourth in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of public affairs schools. We offer academic programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels in six distinct fields:  health policy and management, nonprofit management and leadership, public administration, public policy, real estate development, and urban planning.  Much of our research is housed in 18 interdisciplinary research centers and institutes.  Price School expertise spans the public, nonprofit and private sectors, with impact that is mission-driven and global. 

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. 

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Skills: Directly related project or administrative experience. Preferred Education: Master's degree Preferred Experience: 3 years