Program Assistant, HSC

Program Assistant, HSC

Job Description

The USC Educational Partnerships McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative program has an immediate opening for a Program Assistant, Saturday Academy HSC.

The Program Assistant will provide specialized professional support services to staff, students, and families of our program located at the Health Sciences Campus. The incumbent will be responsible for a variety of projects or events related to Educational Partnerships’ USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Program (NAI) and all projects related. Will work with NAI program staff to ensure alignment with timelines and activities between students, teachers, administrators and family development components.

The role in question is essential in providing support to NAI Scholars and developing college access programs for students and their families. The Program Assistant will be responsible for community outreach, catering to both current program participants and prospective recruits. They will coordinate and manage morning, afternoon, and Saturday programs for students in grades 6 to 12. Additionally, they will oversee the recruitment process for new students from our partner elementary, middle, and high schools (12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools). The position will also involve maintaining and analyzing student records, evaluating educational progress, regularly meeting with students and their parents, and providing support when they fall below standards. Other assigned duties may be included as well. The Program Assistant will need to travel between the USC Health Science Campus in east Los Angeles and the USC University Park Campus in south Los Angeles.

The role entails providing support to the Project Specialist in managing relationships that involve interaction with community members and leaders. The Project Specialist will receive assistance in various activities related to the Neighborhood Academic Initiative program, which aims to broaden the college pathway for underrepresented students in our East Los Angeles neighborhoods. This is a full-time, year-round position with eligibility for university benefits, including medical/dental insurance, sick and vacation accruals, retirement contributions, and holidays.

Founded in 1989, the USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI), the university-developed college prep program enrolls close to 1,000 students annually. USC McMorrow NAI is an academically rigorous and comprehensive, seven-year college access and success program designed to prepare students from South and East Los Angeles for admission to a college or university. Under the program guidelines, students must commit to a seven-year plan of attending Saturday Academy classes along with weekday morning classes at USC, after-school tutoring and parent workshops. Parents are also required to attend a biweekly Family Development Institute program to create a 360-degree, hands-on approach to reinforce student academic goals and study habits and maximize a healthy home environment. Students who remain in the program in good standing from sixth grade until their high school graduation are eligible for a fully funded financial aid package- minus loans, to USC, provided they meet admission requirements. The USC McMorrow NAI program also provides support to all NAI Scholars through their first college degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Has experience in working and interacting with at-risk youth and families - preferably in the public education sector.

• Three years of experience in managing recruitment and special projects -overseeing project implementation.

• Familiarity with understanding of learning communities, and/or success factors for first-generation, low-income students on the pathway to college.

Preferred Experience:

• Ability to read and speak Spanish and translate to English.

Communications Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and written communication skills.

Bilingual: 

• Spanish is a must, with excellent oral and written proficiency.

Skills:

• Strong time and project management and other related organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to prioritize work effectively and adjust to multiple and competing demands. Experience in creating realistic project timelines while considering project goals and multiple details.

General: 

• Highly motivated, with the ability to work independently, take initiative, exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, demonstrate sound judgment, participate as an effective team member, demonstrate cooperative behavior with coworkers