Project Specialist, Interventionist

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

1d • $60,000 - $70,000

About The Position

USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry is seeking a collaborative, adaptable, and service-oriented Project Specialist to join the Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. The role is part of the Ausderau Lab, which works to improve health, participation, and well-being for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their care partner communities, with an emphasis on community-engaged research, health equity, implementation science, and meaningful inclusion in research.

The Project Specialist will primarily serve as an interventionist for HEALTH 4 ME, a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute-funded, multi-state, community-based cluster-randomized trial conducted with Special Olympics programs. The study aims to improve healthcare access, health self-advocacy, and health outcomes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The position prepares and delivers intervention sessions, supports participant engagement, manages intervention materials and study documentation, collects related data, and contributes to fidelity, quality assurance, and limited analysis activities. The role involves collaboration with faculty, staff, students, university partners, external stakeholders, research participants, and community partners.

The annual salary range is $60,000–$70,000. USC describes its employee benefits and programs as supporting employees and their families, work-life balance, and well-being; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience consistent with USC requirements for the Project Specialist classification.
• At least 2 years of minimum experience; the posting also specifies directly related education and experience sufficient to advise on project procedures and analysis techniques.
• Experience working in health, education, disability, research, or community-based settings.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to follow research protocols, maintain accurate documentation, work independently and collaboratively, and interact effectively with research participants and community partners.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in occupational therapy, public health, psychology, social work, education, rehabilitation, health sciences, or a related field.
• Preferred experience of 3 years.
• Experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Experience delivering health, behavioral, educational, or psychoeducational interventions.
• Experience facilitating individual or group-based programming.
• Experience collecting research data and/or working within community-based research studies.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for and deliver HEALTH 4 ME intervention sessions in accordance with study protocols and procedures.
• Prepare, organize, adapt, and maintain intervention materials and support logistical preparation for intervention delivery.
• Support participant engagement and monitor participants’ progression through the intervention.
• Collect, document, and manage intervention-related participant and study data.
• Complete intervention fidelity, quality assurance, and protocol documentation, and communicate implementation concerns or deviations to the research team.
• Participate in research team meetings, maintain study documentation, and contribute to progress reports and other project materials.
• Conduct limited data review and descriptive analysis, and prepare study information for internal reporting and evaluation.

Benefits

• USC offers a variety of benefits and programs supporting employees and their families, work-life balance, and employee well-being; specific benefits are not enumerated in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level