Project Specialist

Project Specialist Position

Timeline: Fixed term request—From hire to September 30, 2025

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, primarily focusing on overseeing the evaluation of grants provided by DHCS to health clinics and community organizations. The focus will be on analyzing various aspects of the grants, including logistics, implementation, activities, and services delivered to grantees. The project specialist will manage all aspects of data collection efforts, which include developing an evaluation plan, collaborating with program partners for input, creating assessment tools, implementing these tools in REDCap, following up with grantees to ensure survey completion, and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data. Based on the collected data, the project specialist will identify successes and areas for improvement, providing actionable recommendations to DHCS and grant partners for future initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct Grant Evaluations
  • Create a comprehensive evaluation plan that highlight successes, challenges, and areas for improvement for various services and activities throughout the grant.
  • Develop evaluation tools that maximize meaningful data while minimizing burden on participants.
  • Create complex REDCap data collection forms.
  • Analyze the data collected, both quantitative and qualitative.
• Project Coordination
  • Maintain detailed records of grantee interactions, data collection, and next steps.
  • Coordinate data collection activities with health clinics and community-based organizations, providing ongoing support and follow-ups to ensure survey completion.
  • Attend in-person grantee gatherings.
  • Ensure study procedures are current and properly implemented.
  • Perform administrative duties such as scheduling, correspondence, and documentation management.
• Reporting
  • Prepare evaluation reports for various activities performed by our program partners.
  • Prepare a comprehensive final report for the funder outlining the evaluation methods, results, and recommendations for the funder based on those findings.

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.