Project Specialist (AASHTO and HPO)

University of Kansas, United States

Updated: 4 months ago
Location: Lawrence, KANSAS

26634BR

School of Public Affairs&Admin


Position Overview

As the professional development arm of the School of Public Affairs & Administration(SPAA), the Public Management Center (PMC) offers professional education and consulting services focused on skills enhancement for leaders, managers, staff, and teams to support organizational development in public agencies across Kansas and Missouri. We are an entrepreneurial center: 90% of our budget comes from revenue from our professional education programs, consulting services, and conferences.

The PMC is the home of the Heartland Certified Public Manager® Program (CPM), one of the most active CPM programs in the United States. Our other programs include the Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA); and Supervisory Leadership Training (SLT). Our consulting services support government agencies and other public service entities in the Kansas City region and across Kansas and Missouri; these services include strategic planning, public engagement and facilitation, customized training, and team building.

The Project Specialist supports the delivery and execution of the PMC’s professional education & consulting efforts that includes utilizing a project-based system for new initiatives and existing program offerings. These efforts maximize enrollment, streamline operations, and support yearly key performance indicators. This position operates across the implementation, execution, and completion stages of projects. The Project Specialist may work with the Director, Associate Director, Educational Program Managers, Project Coordinators, and Communications Coordinator.

We believe in continued educational pursuit and encourage individuals who have graduated from a ranked School of Public Administration to apply. The University has a robust tuition assistance program and the school has scholarship funds for individuals who are accepted into our programs.  Please contact us to learn more about these important benefits that are available for the successful candidate.


Job Description

50% - Project Support

  • Supports PMC project coordination to ensure projects are delivered on time, within the project budget, and with the best odds of achieving objectives as outlined by the Director and Associate director
  • Maintains comprehensive project tracking systems to monitor and report project progress.  
  • Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to assist in the completion of PMC assigned project.
  • Creates project deliverables: Outsourced printing, graphic design, document compiling, and binding activities; invoicing clients; payment processing; certificate generation; learning management system adjustments; Facility management; catering services; assessment activities; etc
  • Disseminate information proactively to internal and/or external stakeholders.
  • Utilizes PMC technology - HubSpot, Enrole, Touchnet, MS Office, etc.  
  • Thinks adaptively and within a solution-orientated mindset to solve issues in collaboration with PMC staff.
  • Provides on-site support for PMC in-person and online events as identified through PMC strategic priorities.
  • On site assistance may include but is not limited to, tech support, check in support, notetaking.
  • On site assistance may fall outside of normal business hours (M-F 8 to 5).
  • Assists Communications Coordinator and Project Coordinators as needed in the execution of PMC events such as graduation ceremonies, conferences, lecture series, etc.

45% - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) & High Performing Organization (HPO) Program Support

  • Assists the Associate Director with the AASHTO Executive Institute (Washington, DC) and the AASHTO Leadership Institute (Lawrence, KS), and a resident HPO leadership institute, including coordination of hotels, food, audiovisual, curricular flow, contracting, assessment, and recruitment.
  • Develops reporting elements to inform partners of student learning and overall program outcomes.    
  • In collaboration with the PMC Associate Director:
    • Assists with the marketing strategy to maximize program enrollment.
    • Monitors transactions to ensure program is on budget.
    • Assists teaching professionals with research to enhance course curriculum.
    • Ensures excellent client service to AASHTO and the subcontractor team.
    • Evaluate, engage with, and monitor trends in transportation and city management to further promote excellence and best practices within the field.

5% - Professional Development

  •     Engages in professional development for skills related to the position.

Position Requirements

  •   Monday – Friday: 8 to 5
  •   Hybrid Position
  •   On-site assistance may fall outside of normal business hours (M-F 8 to 5)
  •   Travel Time 25%-50% 

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree (by the time of appointment) in a public service-related field plus one year of related experience in project management, project coordination, project execution, project implementation, or comparable executable activities as outlined in application materials.   OR,   Associate degree (by the time of appointment) in public service-related field plus three years of related experience in project management, project coordination, project execution, project implementation, or comparable executable activities as outlined in application materials.
  • Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in a team setting as evidenced by application materials.
  • Strong written communication skills, as evidenced by application materials.

    • Preferred Qualifications

  • Six months of experience using CRM software systems such as HubSpot, Salesforce, or Slate.
  • Six months of experience with a registration software system such as Enrole, Eventbrite, or Whova.
  • Six months of experience with Public Management Center programs, as evidenced by application materials.

    • Contact Information to Applicants

    Alex Terwilliger
    [email protected]


    Additional Candidate Instruction

    Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to be considered for this position. It is strongly encouraged that those materials directly address this position's required and preferred qualifications.

    Applicants who do not submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

    First review of applications will begin on December 18, 2023 and will continue until a pool of qualified applicants is obtained.


    Advertised Salary Range

    40,000 minimum


    Application Review Begins

    18-Dec-2023


    Anticipated Start Date

    22-Jan-2024


    Primary Campus

    University of Kansas Lawrence Campus


    Employee Class

    U-Unclassified Professional Staff


    Job Family

    EducationalSuport&Delivery-KUL


    Conditions of Employment

    Contingent on Funding


    Work Location Assignment

    Hybrid


    Disclaimer

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.


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