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Position Title:Program Specialist II

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:Experience coordinating, managing, or facilitating mentoring relationships between students, faculty, or graduate mentors.

Teaching experience at the undergraduate or college level, including developing assignments, supporting learning outcomes, or assisting with curriculum delivery.

Advising or mentoring experience in higher education, student success programs, research programs, or academic support roles.

Experience working with students preparing for post-baccalaureate study, graduate admissions, or academic application processes (e.g., working in a graduate admissions office, graduate program coordination, academic advising, or research program administration).

Research experience that includes designing studies, supporting data collection, mentoring undergraduate researchers, or collaborating with faculty on research projects.

Job Description:

The Graduate College at Iowa State University seeks applicants for a Program Specialist II working with the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, a federally-funded program which supports first-generation, low-income students as they prepare for entry to graduate school and the attainment of an advanced degree.

As a Program Specialist, you will be a key member of the McNair team with responsibility for the research component of the program, which includes developing content and teaching the two first-year research courses (U ST 3010 and 3020) on scientific research methods; providing guidance to Scholars as they complete a required faculty-mentored research project; and preparing participants for presentation of their work.

The position will support program scholarship by leading, conceptualizing, and conducting research activities that strengthen program effectiveness and contribute to students’ preparedness and motivation to pursue graduate degrees. The role will also assist the program director in assessing and evaluating program data for reporting to stakeholders and will oversee the McNair mentoring component involving faculty and graduate student mentors.

This role offers a rare opportunity to build lasting, meaningful relationships with students across every college at Iowa State. The McNair Program is a close-knit community where staff and Scholars work closely and stay connected long after graduation. You will support students as they apply to a wide range of graduate programs, often 10 or more, and celebrate with them as they enter top institutions across the country. Many alumni return to share updates about their graduate school journeys and early careers, reflecting the strong sense of support and impact the program creates. For someone who values long-term student development and the chance to make a tangible difference in individual academic trajectories, this position is uniquely rewarding.

The successful candidate will join a productive team of professionals who are fully engaged with the students we serve.

Key responsibilities include:

+ Assist students in securing faculty-mentored research positions and provide guidance on program policies and procedures.

+ Represent the McNair Program in campus and program-related activities.

+ Develop curriculum and instruct two research methods courses, including qualitative research methods.

+ Consult with students on research design, analysis, and scholarly communication.

+ Support students in preparing written and oral scientific communication and accompany them to academic conferences.

+ Oversee and evaluate mentoring partnerships between students, faculty, and graduate mentors.

+ Develop academic writing curricula and provide individualized feedback on graduate school application materials.

+ Work directly with students on writing components of graduate applications.

+ Collaborate with campus partners on student success initiatives.

+ Support program management, annual reporting, and communication with students.

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

This is a term position with opportunity for renewal.

Level Guidelines• Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals• Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems• Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests• May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff• May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

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

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS807

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: December 15, 2025

Posting Close Date:December 29, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18293

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) 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/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 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 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.