Senior Program Specialist - Institute for Intergovernmental Research

The Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) is a Florida-based, nonprofit corporation founded on the mission to create and deliver dynamic solutions for our criminal justice partners and communities achieved through the passion and hard work of each member of the IIR team. If you are energetic and dedicated to delivering quality programs and services to meet this mission, you will find that IIR is a great place for you. IIR's values are integrity, innovation, and relationships, and IIR's culture is defined by excellence, collaboration, diversity, and family. At IIR, you will be part of a team of dedicated professionals who continually apply their talents to achieve and deliver results for our clients. Expect to be challenged, grow professionally, and have your contributions recognized. We promote teamwork internally and externally and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. We demonstrate our commitment to employees through our outstanding benefits package and generous leave time including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care
• Retirement Plan
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• Holidays
• Flexibility to work from home or in the office
• Rewarding work that makes a tremendous national impact

See the IIR career page to learn more about working at IIR and the programs IIR supports: Careers (iir.com). It is an exciting time to join IIR. Our employees are the secret to our success and future.

This position will support IIR's Justice and Community Collaboration group which includes the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Training and Technical Assistance Program, the Collaborative Reform Initiative Organizational Assessment Program, and Special Projects.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Description

The senior program specialist is primarily responsible for and at times will serve as a lead for many areas of client engagement that support essential and significant program and project-specific activities. The employee must be able to employ effective interpersonal communication skills in identifying and facilitating the client's goals and expectations regarding each operation. Such efforts often will include discussions with high-level federal officials as well as with key state and local contacts and representatives. The employee must exercise discretion and independent judgment in implementing the client's goals and expectations in the planning, delivery, and after-event evaluation of such efforts.

Responsibilities

• Exercise independent judgment in leading, developing, and implementing short- and long-term project operations that sustain and improve implementation of business functions
• Serve as a liaison between the client and IIR in planning and delivering specialized program products and services
• Conduct problem analysis to identify challenges and develop strategic solutions
• Monitor and report statistical data and present recommendations
• Maintain professional and appropriate interpersonal communications with IIR clients and program participants
• Develop various products in support of programs based on research review and data collection
• Provide both substantive content and research development for program resources and websites
• Coordinate with subject-matter experts (SMEs) to develop and facilitate the utilization of program content and outreach products
• Serve as an on-site contact for various events in support of the client and event attendees to manage logistical and administrative items and address any issues, unexpected situations, or emergencies that might arise on-site
• Assist in the development of curricula and agendas, and manage the multitude of data tracking and entry components for programs (coordinates with Criminal Justice Coordinating Council [CJCC] team members as needed)
• Coordinate program updates, annual reports, and other publications, such as assessment reports and awardee site summaries, to coordinate formatting and quality control processes
• Manage meetings and take notes for numerous client and site calls, and on-site meetings such as peer exchanges
• Assist in the scheduling of virtual and in-person events, preplanning, and on-site coordination and event follow-up
• Assist in the management of CJCC website content and resources
• Contribute to the team-based grant-writing, periodic progress reporting efforts, and supplemental duties as needed
• Assist in the management of hate crime eLearning content housed on IIR's Learning Management System portal, and interact with trainees in the field for help and guidance
• Assist with SME invoicing review
• Other duties, as assigned

Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor's degree (related field) or actual experience providing the functional equivalent of an advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of six years of directly related experience or a combination of education and professional experience with project management, program development, product development and/or the operation of major events either as a coordinator, a planner, or a presenter or in an on-site supporting role
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and customer-support skills
• Detail-oriented
• Strong personal and professional values
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks with tight deadlines with close attention to detail
• Ability to clearly, professionally, and effectively convey information and concepts orally and in writing
• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment both remotely and in person
• Ability to see operations in "the big picture" and to keep operations on schedule, on task, and moving forward in a productive and efficient manner
• Proficiency with Microsoft products, including Office Suite and Power BI, Smartsheet, and Excel, or the willingness to learn these and other important operational skills independently

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Most work is performed in a highly productive and fast-paced virtual office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Employees must be able to maintain a quiet, noise-free home office space that is free of distractions. Some assignments may require travel. The ability to deal with high-stress and fast-paced situations is essential.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by managers, as appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and IIR reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as appropriate.