Project Specialist

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, students and staff 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.

Our work for the City of Los Angeles GRYD Program began in 2008 and has expanded steadily with increasing numbers of intervention interviews, special reports, and analyses. Additionally, we have taken on an increasingly large role in quality control for the GRYD online database where we verify accurate participant tracking through the program.

Our other two projects have additional interviews to process, additional databases to maintain, two organizations to advise on appropriate data needs, overall evaluation plans to create, site visits to schedule, and quarterly reports to the CA state funding agency to prepare. This year, there are also a larger number of undergraduate student researchers who support this work to train and oversee.

We are looking for a person with a graduate degree in a social science field (like criminology, psychology, social work) who has experience with violence and gang prevention and intervention programs, and past experience with community agencies that work in these fields. Experience in all phases of program evaluation. Experience using Remark, Excel and SPSS to manipulate and analyze data and produce reports is required. Excellent organizational and mentoring skills, as well as a friendly confident manner, are needed to meld with this research lab.

Responsibilities for the new staff person will include to:

• Liaison with the participating GRYD Program service providers and two other CBOs;
• Receive and protect confidential (de-identified) data from multiple service providers;
• Train and supervise students in the office who assist in processing and documenting the data received;
• Create and maintain master databases;
• Provide timely feedback reports to program providers on changes in measured risk factors for youth in their programs;
• Contribute to creating and writing monthly and quarterly reports; and
• Collaborate well with the larger project group.

Hourly range: The hourly rate range for this position is $29.40 - $32.82 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.

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.

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

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

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