Program Specialist I - Veterinary Field Services

Position Title:

Program Specialist I - Veterinary Field Services

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:

Degree in business, communications, or related field

Prior experience in administrative support, customer service, or clinical operations, preferably in a veterinary, medical, or academic setting.

Experience managing schedules and logistics

Familiarity with practice management software and electronic medical records systems.

Experience entering client information, processing payments, and managing account adjustments.

Job Description:

Are you detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about supporting veterinary education and client services? Join our team as a Program Specialist I in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) at Iowa State University. In this role, you’ll be the backbone of our Veterinary Field Services (VFS) unit, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional service for clients, students, and faculty.

What You’ll Do:

• Coordinate client appointments, manage medical records, and ensure accurate communication between clients and clinicians.
• Provide exceptional customer service across multiple channels—phone, email, text, and in-person.
• Manage client accounts, including payments and preparation of medications and supplies.
• Schedule and coordinate vehicle use for field-based teaching, clinical services, and research trials; liaise with University Transportation Services for maintenance.
• Support student orientation and compliance with facility SOPs, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

You’ll collaborate with clinicians, students, administrative staff, and departmental leadership to ensure smooth operations and high-quality service delivery.

Additional Details:

• Term: Full-time, on-site position located in Ames, IA.
• Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM, in the office
• Scope: Supports over 100 VDPAM courses, many of which are taught in the field.

About the Department:

The Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) at Iowa State University is a nationally recognized leader in veterinary education, research, and service. Our mission is to improve animal and public health through excellence in teaching, clinical service, and outreach. We are proud to support Iowa’s veterinary professionals and the next generation of veterinarians.

Example of Duties
• Manages a program to ensure that implementation and prescribed activities are carried out in accordance with the objectives of the university.
• Plans, monitors, and manages an internal or external project from initiation through completion.
• Leads or coordinates project planning, resourcing, and staffing for assigned program.
• Monitors and manages budget and ensures that the program meets the overall objectives of the university.
• Develops public relations initiatives, workshops, seminars, surveys, or other activities to promote the program and carry out its objectives.
• Acts as a representative of the program.
• Participates in project management.
• May secure external funding as needed.

Level Guidelines
• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision
• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode
• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained
• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate
• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity
• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS806

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

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email