Community Program Specialist

Position Title Community Program Specialist Position Number 994224 Position Status Full-Time Regular Work Hours

Mon-Fri, 8a-5p (flexible within team needs)

Location Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Description

University Overview

Wichita State University has a long tradition of innovation and entrepreneurship that spurs the economy and serves the needs of the local community. This is the place where anything is possible. Where collaboration and innovative ideas shape the future, and entrepreneurship is in our bones. If you have the creativity, passion and insight to help us build a brighter future for our city, state and world-this is the place where you belong.

Position Specific Responsibilities

As our newest team member, you'll be the glue that holds our small but mighty team together. Wear many hats and balance multiple projects, ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Here's what you'll be doing when you're not busy being awesome: Project Management Wizard, Client Whisperer, Focus Group Sage, Master Scheduler, Communication Extraordinaire, Budget & Timeline Ninja, Strategic Planner, Report Rock Star.

Now what does all this mean, you ask?

You will be involved with both sides of our team, Community Initiatives & Strategic Engagement. Interact with clients, gather info, and serve as the go-to consultant. Translate client needs into actionable plans and keep them in the loop. Facilitate focus groups and other project-related activities, making sure all voices are heard and considered. Handle scheduling, budgeting, workplans, and project timelines with the finesse of a seasoned pro. Manage external communications, outreach, and client meetings, making sure everyone is on the same page. Keep an eagle eye on budgets and timelines, ensuring they are met and managed effectively. Craft questions, coordinate research, and design strategic plans that knock socks off. Write reports and create documents, using templates as your starting point and turning them into masterpieces.

Who we need you to be, you're wondering?

• Detail Detective: You see the small stuff that others might miss, ensuring every detail is spot on.

• Project Pro: You're comfortable managing processes and projects from start to finish, with a knack for keeping everything organized.

• Client Chameleon: You can interact with clients through any method, interpret their goals, and provide stellar feedback along the way. While most of your work will be digital, you're also ready for in-person engagements and coalition needs when they arise.

• Adaptable Ace: You switch gears effortlessly, handling various subject matters back-to-back without breaking a sweat. Thriving when you adapt to new clients and project adjustments while still meeting deadlines.

Apply now and let's make great things happen together!

Summary of Responsibilities

Designs, develops, and proposes strategic planning, capacity-building or related processes to potential clients. Manages all aspects of the project, responding to client needs and expectations, and fulfilling agreed-upon commitments while managing multiple clients simultaneously.

Essential Functions

Proposes, secures and delivers work with external clients. Manages external partner relationships to ensure the fulfillment of expectations.

Supports the conceptualization, design, and delivery of work related to ongoing center projects, working primarily in a team environment.

Completes reports associated with respective projects according to project deadlines and requirements.

Supports the monitoring of the project budget and resources to ensure that fiscal processes and guidelines are met. Provides assistance in understanding financial reports and data, in controlling costs and budgets, and in fulfilling budgetary requirements.

Commitment

Wichita State University is committed to inclusive excellence. WSU is the only urban-serving public university in Kansas and has the most diverse student body of all the Kansas state universities. Wichita State University recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran. Wichita State University has a clear goal in this regard: to be the place where our talented faculty and staff reflect and promote the evolving diversity of our society. We pride ourselves on being the most innovative university in Kansas, delivering the best educational experience to our students with the distinction for opening pathways to real-life learning, applied research and career opportunities that make people want to stay in Kansas. Our campus provides an experience that promotes all forms of diversity, equity and inclusion, a place to learn, work, live and play.

The Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with the public and private sectors to conduct research, evaluation, training, and community development. This position, specifically, will be helping decision makers bring people together, facilitate hard conversations, and address community needs.

Requirements

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree in related field by hire date

Preferred Education Minimum Experience

Three (3) years of experience in related field

Preferred Experience Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of local government and nonprofit topics, trends, best practices, and future issues, as well as understanding community issues in underserved populations

• Demonstrated success and involvement with coalitions, community boards, task forces, or multiple stakeholder groups

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Strong relationship-building skills

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and develop work plans

• Ability to manage projects as part of a team and independently

Licenses, Certificates and Registrations

None

Sponsorship No, due to budget constraints, the University will not sponsor applicants for employment authorization for this position. User Export Compliance No export control requirement. Additional Information Special Instructions

Department Information

Department 102142-Public Policy and Management Center

Salary Information

Pay Information Range beginning $55,000/yr, adjusted based on qualifications Overtime Eligibility No Eligible for Shift Differential? No Benefits Eligible? Yes Benefit Information

Wichita State University and the State of Kansas offer a variety of benefit programs which are designed to enhance employment. Many of these benefits are available immediately and some with a wait period.

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision and supplemental coverage offerings

• Retirement plan with generous employer contributions

• Basic employer-paid life insurance and optional life insurance

• Employee and Dependent Tuition Assistance Program

• Generous time off accruals

• Full time 12-month employees typically accrue 22 vacation days and 12 days of sick leave per year in addition to 9 annual paid holidays designated by the State of Kansas.

• Additional holidays and/or a discretionary day can be granted by the governor each year.

• Part-time employee accruals are on a pro-rated basis.

• Paid Parental Leave

• State Shared Leave Program

• Employee Assistance Program

• Discounts on campus and throughout Wichita through ShockerStart

You can find more information on benefits in the New/Prospective Employee Benefits Guide.

Requisition Details

Requisition Details

Posting Date 05/21/2024 Closing Date Proposed Start Date

Physical Demands

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements

Ability to remain in a stationary position.

• Frequent 60-90%

Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators.

• Frequent 60-90%

Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information.

• Frequent 60-90%

Physical Weight Category Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves remaining stationary most of the time.

Additional Physical Demands

Physical Demands Atypical Physical Job Requirements