Project Specialist

Public Strategies Overview
Public Strategies (PS) is a nationally respected consulting, project management, and marketing firm based in Oklahoma City. We provide innovative solutions for federal, state, and local clients, including project and program management, training and technical assistance, technology, event management, research and evaluation, video production, and strategic communications. We also deliver research-informed direct services to financially vulnerable Oklahomans, with a focus on strengthening families and improving employment opportunities.

We are a collaborative team of thinkers, creatives, strategists, communicators, builders, researchers, and change agents committed to touching lives, driving change, and doing good well.

Position Summary
The Project Specialist is responsible for the development and execution of critical efforts within PS Technical Assistance division, which addresses programmatic improvements and provides subject matter expertise across policy areas such as Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF), Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP), and the TANF Investment Strategy. The Project Specialist will work closely with division leadership to develop and manage systems that ensure evidence-based, field-tested, and results-focused technical assistance for a variety of populations served within federal grant programs. In addition to TA systems oversight, the Program Specialist will engage in research/research-to-practice activities within PS translational research projects, and provide subject matter expertise in areas of implementation science. Specific work functions include the development, oversight, and monitoring of project implementation; acting as an intermediary, translating database development/website structure needs from the project team to development; and provision of internal and external trainings and technical assistance to advance knowledge and skills.

This individual will be working closely with Managers and Directors to coordinate project resources and activities across departments and teams. This position requires demonstrated leadership, an unwavering commitment to excellence, the ability to deliver high quality projects on time, and the proven ability to motivate teams and TA recipients to action.

Essential Job Functions
Manage the assessment, planning, and implementation of programs and special projects
Provide organizational leadership to projects, including management of priorities, timelines, and deadlines
Apply subject matter expertise to TA activities and the development of TA strategies and training approaches
Coordinate with client to create annual performance assessment and review. Including, but not limited to: Coordinating with funders to determine assessment questions and scoring criteria and collaborating with the database/website development team to create functionality in a web-based portal to conduct assessment and capture data.
Supervise team members in developing, organizing, and disseminating project information and materials
Translate programmatic needs from the project team to the development team and relay information from technology to the project team
Manage the development of project data collection systems and processes, set and oversee data collection quality assurance measures, and provide training to project staff as needed
Manage the planning process and development of action plans for projects
Monitor program progress and deliverables as needed
Participate in business developing projects, as needed
Other duties as assigned
Education/Training
Bachelors Degree, required
Masters Degree, preferred
Applicable fields and disciplines include business, social sciences, humanities, public administration, public policy, education, not-for-profit management, and related fields.
Experience
Five years of relevant work experience in project management, project planning, program operations, or strategic planning, research and/or policy, preferred
Relevant experience may include Training and Technical Assistance to social service programs, including relationship education; grant writing; program development; curriculum development/adaptation; dissemination; working for or with government agencies; and, working for a not-for-profit organization
Experience working on large scale, multi-dimensional projects involving multiple partner organizations, government contracts and competing priorities, strongly preferred
Excellent written and oral communication skills and analytical skills and ability to effectively to translate research into practice for wide dissemination, required
Proven grant or proposal writing skills, preferred
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, including but not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook; mastery level knowledge and experience, preferred
Special Requirements
Moderate Domestic Travel
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed
Personable, a critical thinker, self-motivated, hard-working, detail-oriented and flexible
Maintain a valid Drivers License
Essential Physical Requirements
Sufficient mobility and strength to move about the facility. Ability to be mobile throughout the community.