Senior Program Specialist/Youth and Community Justice Initiatives - Institute for Intergovernmental Research

The Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) is 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 Center for Youth and Community Justice Initiatives, with primary responsibility within the Gang Resistance and Education Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program. G.R.E.A.T. is an evidence-based, national, and international gang and violence prevention program built around school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curricula. This position includes responsibilities supporting the delivery of the G.R.E.A.T. program in the United States and Central America.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Description

The Senior Program Specialist is responsible for supporting essential and significant program activities, operationalizing, and, at times, leading, assigned project-specific activities, across the Center for Youth and Justice Initiatives, which is focused on supporting funding agencies in creating dynamic solutions in the youth justice and community violence-reduction fields. This is important and impactful work that requires the ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment, while working collaboratively with a highly effective team in a remote-first environment, to achieve program goals.

Daily work requires the exercise of multidimensional competencies related to client and stakeholder engagement; operationalizing project coordination, delivery, and evaluation; event logistics and coordination; production of written and graphical resources; supporting implementation of training and technical assistance services; and coordinating program communication strategies.

Responsibilities

• Carry out the corporate mission of creating and delivering dynamic solutions for our criminal justice partners and communities
• Maintain the Institute for Intergovernmental Research's (IIR) commitment to quality and professional standards in all aspects of work, including monitoring of product development and delivery by others
• Exercise discretion and sound independent judgment in supporting the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of operations toward the successful completion of program goals and improvement of business functions within the Center
• Coordinate and lead project-specific task teams consisting of internal team members, subject-matter experts, and external stakeholders in the planning, development, delivery, evaluation, and reporting of program deliverables
• Coordinate and provide logistical support for virtual and in-person events, including planning, scheduling, materials ordering, shipping, registration, and after-action reporting, and, at times, serve as the primary point of contact for these events
• Take ownership of assigned activities, including project-specific deliverables, to ensure these activities are completed on time, within scope, and according to client expectations
• Collect data (e.g. environmental scanning, surveys), conduct data analysis, and produce reports to guide strategic planning and operational activity
• Maintain professional and appropriate interpersonal communications, support team correspondence functions and, at times, serve as a liaison with program participants, clients, and subject-matter experts in planning and delivering specialized program products
• Coordinate and develop substantive content for program resources, websites, social media, and data-exchange initiatives
• 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 6 years of directly related experience or a combination of education and professional experience with the operation of major training and technical assistance events and products as a planner or presenter or in a supporting role
• Fluent in speaking, writing, and translating the Spanish language with proficiency to support international business operations, product development, and training delivery
• Knowledge and understanding of youth violence prevention, juvenile justice systems, and criminal justice systems demonstrated through professional experience in government, law enforcement, corrections, community supervision, school safety, public health, education, social services or other related fields, including community-based and not-for-profit organizations
• Strong interpersonal skills and business acumen supporting interactions with others
• Ability to prioritize work, operate with urgency, and handle high-stress situations professionally
• Well-organized, with the ability to ensure that deadlines are met in a timely and professional manner
• Ability to identify challenges and utilize innovative and creative solutions that meet program goals and advance IIR's mission
• Ability to adapt and respond to last-minute changes, unforeseen developments, or other events to ensure the success of the given operation
• Ability to communicate clear and precise messages and concepts, in writing and orally
• Ability to produce work that is ready for management and quality assurance review
• 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
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, and an aptitude for learning new software systems

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 remote office space that is free of distractions.

On occasion, assignments will require lifting, handling, and packing materials up to 40 pounds as well as the operation of material-handling tools, such as hand trucks. Employee must have the ability to operate a vehicle, including a light truck/van to support material and personnel transport.

Some air travel, both nationally and internationally, is required. Employee must obtain and maintain a valid U.S. passport.

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.

Candidates who have accepted an offer will be required to submit to a background investigation, including criminal history, employment history, educational history, and personal and professional references.