Program Specialist III

Position Title:
Program Specialist III

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with Cedar Rapids educational systems
Experience with agriculture and/or bio-agriculture industries
Experience with developing and leading training programs
Experience with workforce development programs or funding opportunities

Job Description:

Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (ISU-CALS), Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension (ANR-E), and the City of Cedar Rapids invites applications for a Program Specialist III to coordinate collaborative programs for the college, city and industry.  As the University-City Liaison, the Program Specialist will serve as a conduit between academic and research programs within CALS and career opportunities in Cedar Rapids in the bio-agricultural sectors. The Program Specialist will report to the CALS Senior Manager of Communications but will be based in the ISU Extension Office located in Cedar Rapids.  

Responsibilities of the position include:

• Development and implementation of events and programs to inform and engage public school and community college students in Cedar Rapids to learn about majors in CALS.
• Work collaboratively with the CALS Student Recruitment team to increase enrollment of Cedar Rapids students in CALS majors.
• Secure grants and funding to support internships, programs and events.
• Collaborate with the ISU Agriculture and Natural Resources-Extension staff on programs and events.
• Be a liaison for Cedar Rapids industry to the resources available on the ISU Campus, within CALS including career fairs, and through the ANR-E network.
• Work collaboratively with a wide range of constituents within Cedar Rapids, including Public School administrators, Kirkwood Community College, city leaders, and bio-agricultural companies to advance student career and workforce readiness.
• Be a liaison for Cedar Rapids educators, employers and prospective students to the resources available in CALS and ANR-E, CALS majors and scholarship opportunities.
• Develop an internship program in collaboration with the Cedar Rapids bio-agricultural industries to enhance career preparation and raise awareness of careers in the bio-agricultural sector.
• Facilitate lateral communication among City of Cedar Rapids Economic Development Staff, CALS faculty and staff, and bio-agricultural industry leaders to advance growth in each of these sectors.    
• Serve as a conduit to connect bio-agricultural leaders with City Economic Development Services, ISU resources, and university research and innovation centers as needed. 

The successful applicant will be self-motivated, community-minded, able to engage and form partnerships, and enthusiastic about education and career preparation. The position will be multi-faceted with a range of constituents including students, educators, Extension professionals, industry leaders and city government. The position will be based in Cedar Rapids, but the Program Specialist will be required to travel to Ames about once a month to meet with their supervisor and attend planning meetings.

Level Guidelines
• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals
• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff
• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)
• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist
• Provides guidance to students

This position is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The position will be a three-year term with the potential for renewal.

Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

March 1, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS809

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
 

Original Posting Date:
February 6, 2024

Posting Close Date:
February 20, 2024

Job Requisition Number:
R13954