Program Support Specialist

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

1d•$50,000 - $53,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education (ALCE) seeks a highly organized, collaborative, and detail-oriented Program Support Specialist to provide administrative, fiscal, and programmatic support for faculty-led research, Extension, outreach, and grant-funded initiatives. The position serves as a central coordination point for sponsored projects, conferences, leadership programs, community engagement activities, and center operations within the department. This role supports the execution of externally funded grants and contracts, manages financial and purchasing processes, coordinates events and educational programs, assists with reporting and compliance activities, and provides operational support to faculty, staff, students, external partners, and stakeholders. The Program Support Specialist will work closely with faculty principal investigators, the Department Head, departmental administrative staff, CALS Business Services, and Virginia Tech offices to ensure efficient delivery of programs and responsible stewardship of sponsored project resources. The position supports a diverse portfolio of department initiatives, including research and Extension programs associated with the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving, Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation, VALOR, Virginia Agricultural Education Centers of Innovation, leadership development programs, community engagement initiatives, and other externally funded projects.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience providing administrative, fiscal, programmatic, or project support in a professional office environment.
Experience coordinating events, meetings, conferences, or educational programs.
Experience supporting budget monitoring, maintaining financial records, processing purchasing activities, or completing fiscal transactions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, Adobe Acrobat
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting sponsored research, grants, contracts, or Extension programs.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Ensemble or similar communication applications.
Experience with Virginia Tech financial, procurement, travel, or sponsored project systems.
Experience in higher education, Virginia Cooperative Extension, non-profit, or community-based organizations.
Experience with event management and stakeholder engagement activities.
Experience preparing financial reports and budget tracking documents.
Familiarity with grant proposal development and award management processes.
Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, education, communications, agricultural sciences, community development, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative, fiscal, and programmatic support for faculty-led research, Extension, outreach, and grant-funded initiatives.
Serve as a central coordination point for sponsored projects, conferences, leadership programs, community engagement activities, and center operations.
Support the execution of externally funded grants and contracts.
Manage financial and purchasing processes.
Coordinate events and educational programs.
Assist with reporting and compliance activities.
Provide operational support to faculty, staff, students, external partners, and stakeholders.