Wayne Morse Center Program Specialist

Wayne Morse Center Program Specialist

Apply now Job no: 534010

Work type: Classified Staff

Location: Eugene, OR

Categories: Administrative/Office Support, Planning/Project Management

Department: Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics

Classification: Administrative Program Spec

Appointment Type and Duration: Limited Duration (Classified), Limited

Salary: $20.15 - $30.45 per hour

FTE: .8 - 1.0

Review of Applications Begins

July 1, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure consideration, complete applications must include the following along with the online application:

• A cover letter highlighting how your knowledge, skills, and experience qualify you for the requirements, competencies, and if applicable, preferred qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A resume of your professional work experience, education, and applicable certifications.

The online application includes the name and contact information of at least three professional references. The candidate will be notified prior to references being contacted.

Department Summary

The University of Oregon's Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics (WMC) is an interdisciplinary center that encourages civic engagement and inspires enlightened dialogue by bringing students, scholars, activists, policymakers, and communities together to discuss public problems affecting Oregon, our nation, and the world. It carries on the legacy of the late US Senator and UO School of Law Dean Wayne Morse by fostering education, research, and leadership to advance justice and inclusive democracy. Located within the traditional homelands of the Kalapuya people, the WMC is housed in the Knight Law Center on UO's Eugene campus. The Wayne Morse Center is committed to the principles of equity and inclusion and is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic learning environment where students, staff, faculty, speakers, and guests from all walks of life feel welcome.

Since its inception in the year 2000, the primary components of the Wayne Morse Center have grown to include an annual Wayne Morse Chair-holder; themes of inquiry featuring distinguished speakers and other events; the Democratic Governance Program, which includes the annual Public Affairs Speaker Series, the undergraduate Wayne Morse Scholars Program, and scholarly workshops and conferences; financial support for scholarship for UO professors and graduate students; Law Fellowships; and Project Grants. The Center's numerous activities include public addresses, symposia, major conferences, colloquia, course offerings, publications, scholarly workshops, and public service and outreach to the Oregon community. An advisory committee composed of faculty and community leaders offers guidance and support for the Center.

Position Summary

The Wayne Morse Center Program Specialist position is a 9-month, .8 - 1.0 FTE limited duration classified appointment subject to annual review. An extension of up to fifteen additional months is possible at the Wayne Morse Center Co-Directors' discretion. This position is based in Eugene, Oregon, with some independent travel to Portland and Salem, and reports to the Wayne Morse Center Co-Directors.

The WMC Program Specialist's primary role is to help the Faculty Co-Director manage the Center's flagship Wayne Morse Scholars program for UO undergraduate students. That involves planning and implementing the yearly process of recruiting and selecting Scholars with the goal of building a cohort that is diverse in cultural background, lived experience, and viewpoint. It includes managing large recurring events (Scholar orientation, lobby day in Salem, and graduation) and monthly lunches with distinguished guests, trainings, field trips, service-learning, and other events. The Program Specialist assists Scholars with their Wayne Morse practicums, coordinating approval and transfer of funding as needed, and offering guidance on the culminating poster session. This staff member also assists with student advising, career exploration, networking opportunities, and skills training, and helps build and maintain the alumni network. The Program Specialist is charged with conducting internal student surveys and analyzing the results, observing program trends, and providing advice and feedback to the Faculty Co-Director. With the Co-Directors, this staffer will evaluate key aspects of the Scholars program and develop program goals and plans based on those discussions. The Program Specialist is responsible for maintaining and updating program policies.

The position's other important role is to manage logistical details and speaker support for campus and community-facing lectures, workshops, donor stewardship events, and activities of the WMC. The Program Specialist will serve as the lead staffer on-site at events, ensuring that they run smoothly, and solving problems as they arise.

Considerable judgment, tact, and discretion are essential in working with the Center's diverse internal and external audiences. The position also requires a high degree of confidentiality as the Program Specialist handles sensitive private information about participating students, program applicants, high-profile speakers, donors, and others.

Special Requirement:

Requires a flexible work schedule, including some evenings, weekends, and occasional travel locally and within the state.

The University of Oregon is committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse institution and seeks candidates with demonstrated potential to contribute positively to its diverse community.

Minimum Requirements

• Two years of experience as an administrative specialist or executive support specialist which included administrative support for a project, program, or operation. Administrative support includes those duties beyond clerical/secretarial such as: interpretation of laws, rules, and regulations; administrative data collection and analysis; and evaluation of projects, processes, and operations; OR

an equivalent combination of training and experience.

One year of postsecondary education may be substituted for up to one year of the experience.

Professional Competencies

• Excellent organizational, time-management, administrative, and interpersonal skills indicating the ability to work as part of a team and independently

• Ability to work effectively with undergraduate students

• Ability to communicate effectively with and respond to inquiries from faculty, students, university personnel, event attendees, speakers, and the public

• Ability to independently prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment with competing demands

• Ability to work effectively with students, staff, faculty, donors, speakers, and event attendees from culturally diverse backgrounds and with differing viewpoints on politics, policy, and society; and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the university community

• Ability to work accurately and with a high degree of independence

Preferred Qualifications

• A graduate of the Wayne Morse Scholars program or has a comprehensive knowledge of a different campus program, project, or operation for undergraduate students

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

• One year of work or volunteer or internship experience in program / project management in higher education, politics, public policy, or a related field

• Experience with event planning and execution

• Demonstrated interest in public affairs, social justice, government, politics, and/or community engagement

• Comfort and experience using social media for recruitment and event outreach

• Experience with development and fundraising

• Experience studying at, working at, or working with the University of Oregon

• Proficiency with Outlook and Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and with survey instruments

FLSA Exempt: No

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

This is a classified position represented by the SEIU Local 503, Oregon Public Employees Union.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.