Project Specialist

The mission of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is to improve the well-being of vulnerable individuals and communities, advance social and economic justice, and eradicate pressing societal problems in complex and culturally diverse urban environments throughout Southern California, the nation, and the world. Our mission is achieved by providing students with experiential, practice, and competency-based learning, and culturally responsive training that is informed by evidence and best practices.

The Center for Homelessness, Housing and Health Equity Research at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, is seeking a Project Specialist who can support a collaborative project with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services to develop a robust training and technical assistance plan for front-line and specialty workers tasked with providing complex care management services to indviduals who have recently moved into Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH).

Accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

The Project Specialist will work on a project team to first develop an understanding of how multiple services are coordinated across County departments to support tenants living in PSH and then produce training materials for front-line workers in those systems. This will require extensive outreach and coordination with multiple partners, including scheduling and facilitation of both in-person and virtual focus groups and team meetings. Job functions include participating in weekly team meetings, attending important key stakeholder meetings including groups with lived experiences of homelessness, taking and analysing notes from meetings, and preparing, delivering, and collecting materials to team members.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Must have a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, education, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Prior experience working on research projects, project management, conducting interviews or focus groups, or experience working with vulnerable populations is highly desired.

This position is for a full-time, fixed-term, grant-funded appointment through December 31, 2025.

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor’s degree

Minimum Experience:

• 2 years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with event planning and group facilitation

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

The hourly rate range for this position is $29.40 - $37.88. 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.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. 

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 Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Skills: Directly related education and experience to be able to advise on project procedures and analysis techniques. Preferred Education: Master's degree Preferred Experience: 3 years