Project Specialist - Administrative (USC Schaeffer Institute)

Project Specialist - Administrative (USC Schaeffer Institute)Apply ( Sol Price School of Public Policy Los Angeles, California

In order for your application to be considered, please attach a cover letter and resume to your employment application.

The USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service is seeking aProject Specialist, Administrativeto work with the co-director of its Center for Health Policy & Economics.

The Project Specialist will work independently to organize and prioritize daily support activities as well as monitor and triage incoming requests to the co-director. This person must have a professional demeanor and excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. The role involves close coordination with the Institute leadership team, including the Chief of Staff, Director of Operations, Events Manager, and administrative and external affairs personnel. The Project Specialist will be expected to work effectively on multiple projects and set priorities. This is a one-year, fixed term position with a hybrid work arrangement. This position is funded by a contract, grant or gift.

The Schaeffer Institute serves a wide range of internal and external constituents—including students, academics, industry executives, philanthropists, and leading policymakers and staffers. The person in this role should work effectively with these different communities. The right candidate will have administrative expertise and a general interest in research and policy.

Key duties for the Project Specialist include, but are not limited to:

• Manage administrative operations for the co-director, including oversight of the schedule, to-do list, correspondence, and reimbursements;

• Prepare briefings, reports, presentations, and other materials in support of the co-director’s meetings and activities;

• Support the co-director’s research and initiatives through project coordination, meeting and event management, and strategic planning assistance;

• Coordinate with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to complete projects and resolve issues as they arise;

• Oversee meeting arrangements and guest visits;

• Work with the Schaeffer leadership team to provide on-site support for meetings and events, including advisory board meetings and other high-level activities;

• Lead special projects; and,

• Supervise student workers.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:

2 years

Minimum Fields of Expertise:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Strong organizational skills; project management experience is a plus

• Collaborative, team-player attitude; ability to work collaboratively and independently

• Ability to prioritize across multiple tasks and deliver high-quality output in a timely manner

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects of varying complexity simultaneously with attention to detail and a high level of excellence and professionalism

• Flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity; willingness to handle both complex and mundane matters

• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree

Preferred Experience:

3 years

Compensation

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The hourly rate range for this position is $29.19 - $32.71. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Position is 100% FTE

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Hours

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Subject to change based on event needs, which may include early mornings and evenings, and the occasional weekend. Some travel may be required.

Required Documents

Cover letter Resume/CV

About the USC Schaeffer Institute

TheLeonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service ( at the University of Southern California develops evidence-based solutions to address the nation’s most pressing policy issues. It serves as a policy laboratory to develop and test ideas generated by the USC academic community, fosters civic engagement, and provides a forum to reach federal policymakers. Established by an historic gift from Leonard D. Schaeffer, it houses two flagship programs: theLeonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics ( and theLeonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service ( , with offices at USC in Los Angeles and at the USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC.

Since its inception in 2009, the Schaeffer Center has served as a premier intellectual hub for health policy and health economics research. A collaboration of theUSC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ( and theUSC Price School of Public Policy ( , the Schaeffer Center is home to more than 150 faculty, staff, and scholars, including four National Academy of Medicine members and three Nobel Laureates. The Centerranks 3rd among 2,700+ institutions ( in health economics by IDEAS, the largest economics bibliographic database, making it one of the world’s top health policy research organizations. It has achieved this recognition through a singular focus on its mission—to measurably improve value in health through evidence-based policy solutions, research, and educational excellence. The Schaeffer Center is a recognized nonpartisan voice helping to shape health policy.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Skills: Directly related project or administrative experience. Preferred Education: Master's degree Preferred Experience: 3 years

REQ Posted Date: 08/24/2025