Public Service Program Specialist

$46,000-$55,000

Initial applicant review will begin on or around May 13th, 2022. Posting will remain open until filled.

This 24-month contract position is eligible for full UC benefits.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

To set the course of UC Merced's evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.

Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced community educational and volunteer educational management program professional to organize a wide range of educational programs, issues, needs and needs assessments. This professional is responsible to apply grant specific theory and put into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field. Manages community educational partnerships and programs, including complex community educational programs and volunteer educational programs of diverse scope. Communicates professionally with community sites and program stakeholders, organizes program data and provides regular updates and progress to all constituents. Demonstrates knowledge of grants and grant management and reporting. This professional independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function. This is done by carrying out responsibilities in the following functional areas: recruitment and selection, orientation and organizational acclimation, program/grants management, and team member support. Position works as part of the AmeriCorps program team within the Community Engagement Center (CEC), reporting directly to the AmeriCorps Program Manager, and working closely with the Public Service Data Specialist and the CEC staff to carry out the AmeriCorps College Corps grant program. This professional possesses a broad job knowledge, analyzes problems and issues in order to determine solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages collection, tracking and reporting of required student information, National Criminal History Background checks for prospective fellows, training and oversight of the online hours tracking platform AmericaLearns, manages required updates, compliance and communication of student, partner, and general grant-related documents. Maintains security of documents and files and provides necessary reports. Responsible for managing ongoing program related performance measurements, participates in the development and revision of operating procedures and guidelines. Identifies and develops evaluation tools for projects and site assignments. Prepares reports or analyses of collected programmatic data for information and compliance measures. Exercises judgment in selecting methods and techniques for program development, data analysis, and progress. Responsible for serving as the lead subject matter expert at the UCM campus for CollegeCorp grant processes. Utilizes mandatory training provided by granting agency to expedite processes and protocols.

• Responsible for program recruitment, application process, training and on-boarding practices for both site supervisors and AmeriCorps Fellow participants. Meets individually with each site supervisor to complete formal agreements, provides development of criteria for site selection and activities and manages ongoing program related performance measurements and site compliance checks. Responsible for developing reporting, and documentation of Fellow's weekly activities across multiple county-wide sites. Develops program reports and assessment, collects and analyzes student data, documents participant contacts and progress, and tracks progress of program participants and host site outcomes. Identifies and implements evaluation tools for programs. Responsible for managing ongoing program related performance measurements, participates in the development and revision of operating procedures and guidelines. Identifies and develops evaluation tools for projects and site assignments. Prepares reports or analyses of collected programmatic data for information and compliance measures. Responsible for serving as the subject matter expert at the UCM campus for CollegeCorp grant processes.

• Supervise student employees. Develops and implements student employee training and evaluation. Prepares and organizes recruitment outreach and informational events, supports planning and execution of end of year appreciation event for site partners and AmeriCorps Fellows. Communicates regularly with students and site supervisors to maintain current service hour records and provides timely follow-up to questions, technical difficulties and/or operational difficulties. Actively participates in long-range strategic planning for future grant programming. Also assists in developing strategic plans and target partners for evaluating prospective program partnerships. Orients and evaluates qualified site supervisors. Facilitate and support special program events for community and campus partners. Evaluating student submission for project completion. Provides data analysis to program stakeholders through quarterly reports and data presentation. Develops metrics that establishes program benchmarks that demonstrate program objectives are met.

• Actively reports, maintains and documents grant financials. Reporting, maintenance and documentation of Fellow's weekly activities across multiple county-wide sites, facilitates program reports and assessment, collects and analyzes student data, documents participant contacts and progress, and tracks progress of program participants and host site outcomes. This professional is responsible for developing, preparing, reconciling and perform analysis for grant budget. Will provide presentation or instruction of College Corp programs. Responsible to serve as Grant lead and a liaison for cross campus collaboration with Grant Accounting, Sponsored Projects, Financial Aid, Payroll, Projects Portfolio Financial Management and other campus based financial entities.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in related area and a minimum of three years equivalent experience / training. (Required)

• Previous AmeriCorps experience is not required, but highly valued. Previous experience managing or working with federal grants is highly valued. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Clear communications skills.

• Ability to satisfactorily pass a Criminal History Check to include sex offender registry, State Police, and FBI.

• Thorough and effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and presentation skills.

• Thorough knowledge of organization policies and procedures.

• Skill in using business software systems in the completion of work assignments; i.e. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint.

• Thorough knowledge of and skill in delivering programs.

• Thorough knowledge of current community educational programs and trends.

• Thorough skills to conduct needs assessment and development of new presentations / courses to meet organizational needs. (Preferred)

• Knowledge of managing a portfolio of business and management courses at the university level. (Preferred)

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 Referrals

How did you hear about the job?

(select) "other"

Additional information?

(select) "other"

Specific Referral Source?

(write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.