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Position Title:Program Specialist I

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:Experience with work-study, student employment or financial aid programs.

Experience working with program coordination.

Experience engaging internal and external partners and stakeholders.

Experience leading trainings to both small and large groups, in person and virtually.

Job Description:

Are you passionate about helping students succeed beyond the classroom? Do you believe student employment is a powerful tool for building career readiness and life skills? In this exciting role, you will deliver high-impact student employment programs that not only help students earn while they learn but also prepare them for future career success. From overseeing work-study initiatives to coordinating recognition events and developing training for supervisors, you'll play a key part in creating meaningful employment experiences that make a difference.

Key Responsibilities:

+ Design, implement, and support student employment programs such as on-campus/off-campus work-study, America Reads/America Counts, and Undergraduate Research Assistantships.

+ Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations by researching and interpreting policy and reviewing programs at other institutions.

+ Collaborate with university departments including Human Resources, Payroll, and Finance to coordinate position approvals and ensure accurate employment data.

+ Plan and execute university-wide student employee recognition efforts, such as Student Employee of the Year and National Student Employment Week.

+ Coordinate training for ISU staff and community partners on supervisory practices, work-study regulations, and promoting career readiness including the GROW program (Guided Reflections on Work)

+ Develop and maintain off-campus community partnerships, conduct site visits, and promote program participation through workshops and outreach.

+ Monitor and evaluate employment programs for effectiveness; gather data, analyze feedback, and share insights to support continuous improvement.

+ Oversee project planning and resource management for assigned employment programs.

+ Track program budgets, recommend appropriate staffing levels and wage structures.

+ Deliver consistent and engaging communication to students, faculty, staff, and community partners regarding student employment programs and opportunities.

+ Manage account access and vetting processes for internal and external program partners to ensure compliance.

+ Support department-wide student engagement efforts, including Orientation and campus visit days.

+ Perform other duties and contribute to special projects as assigned.

About the Department

Located in the heart of Iowa State’s campus, the Office of Student Financial Aid is a proud unit within the Division of Academic Affairs. We administer over $400 million in federal, state, institutional, and private aid annually—supporting more than 85% of undergraduate students and many domestic graduate students. Our mission is to empower students to succeed through financial support, education, and outreach.

Our team values student success, accountability, innovation, collaboration, dignity and respect, and advocacy. We prioritize professional growth through staff retreats and conference opportunities, and we foster a collaborative environment that values each team member’s strengths. If you're ready to make a difference and be part of a supportive, student-focused team—we invite you to apply and join us!

This is a term position with the end date of: 06/30/2026, with the potential for renewal.

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 with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:June 30, 2026

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 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 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 • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date: May 19, 2025

Posting Close Date:June 1, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R17067

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email [email protected] .

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.