Project Specialist

Project Specialist Position

Timeline: Fixed term request—From hire to September 30, 2027

PI: Dr. Claradina Soto, Associate Professor of USC Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

Contact Person: Ellen Rippberger, Project Manager: rippberg@usc.edu

Position Overview

The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Claradina Soto, is seeking a full-time project specialist for a fixed-term position. The successful candidate will join a research team working on projects funded by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) focused on addressing opioid use disorder (OUD) in American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities.

The project specialist will support various initiatives, with a primary focus on providing individualized technical assistance in data collection and analysis to grantees working on initiatives to address OUD in AIAN communities. The specialist will work closely with each grantee organization to understand their unique projects, goals, target populations, and specific needs, providing tailored assistance in areas such as literature reviews, data collection and analysis plan development, survey/interview guide design, data analysis, and report writing. Alongside Western modalities of data collection and analysis, the specialist will incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing. In addition to individualized TA, the project specialist will design and deliver group training sessions and create resources on data collection and analysis fundamentals.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Assistance
  • Collaborate with grantees to understand their unique data collection and analysis needs and provide tailored guidance.
  • Develop and implement data collection plans, conduct literature reviews, design surveys and interview guides, and analyze data in alignment with grantee goals.
  • Design and conduct group training sessions on data collection and analysis fundamentals.

• Project Coordination
  • Maintain detailed records of grantee interactions and next steps.
  • Coordinate logistics for meetings with grantees, program partners, and stakeholders.
  • Attend in-person grantee gatherings.
  • Expand and maintain a library of relevant reference tools and materials.
  • Ensure study procedures are current and properly implemented.
  • Perform administrative duties such as scheduling, correspondence, and documentation management.

• Reporting
  • Prepare implementation plans and progress reports for DHCS.

Qualifications

• Required
  • Experience in data collection, analysis, and management.
  • Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines effectively.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Strong ability to independently problem-solve without requiring extensive guidance.
  • Strong writing skills.
• Preferred
  • Experience working with AIAN communities.
  • A master’s degree in public health or a related field.
  • Proficiency with REDCap or similar data management tools.

Travel Requirements

• The position may require travel throughout California, approximately 10% of the time.

 PLEASE NOTE: Applications submitted without a cover letter will NOT be considered.

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 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