VIP Program Specialist

VIP Program SpecialistThe Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowship Mentoring is hiring a VIP Program Specialist for a new initiative: Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP). The program specialist will provide management, administrative coordination, communication, assessment, and outreach to support the growth, quality, and sustainability of VIP at Penn State. As this is a newly created role, the incumbent will build the structures needed to establish, grow, and sustain these projects over time.

VIP is a university-identified priority: multi-year, faculty-led, curricularly integrated projects that support student growth as they work in teams to contribute to project objectives across multiple semesters, frequently in collaboration with external stakeholders.Responsibilities Include:Identifies infrastructure needs and cultivates resources — data collection, software, collaborators — to support VIP project development across Penn State, while serving as point of contact for faculty leaders and student teamsWorks with the Oversight Committee, Faculty Champion(s), and faculty leaders to define VIP elements, ensure VIP consortium compliance, and build faculty trainings and communities of practiceConducts outreach to raise VIP awareness among students, faculty, departments, and other stakeholders, and builds structures that promote equitable access to VIP opportunitiesCollaborates with faculty VIP leaders to create and manage the VIP website and related communication and access structuresCreates and manages data collection from VIP projects and faculty mentors to assess outcomes, tracking enrollment, completion, and satisfaction metricsRepresents Penn State at internal and external meetings, supports special projects, recommends process improvements, and may directly supervise part-time, student, or temporary employeesPreferred Qualifications:Master's degreeStrong written and oral communication skills: Ability to produce written materials for internal and external stakeholders, manage web content, and communicate program value to prospective faculty and studentsAble to build structures and processes from scratch for a newly created program, manage multiple concurrent responsibilities (outreach, reporting, faculty relations), and keep initiatives movingComfortable cultivating and maintaining relationships across very different audiences: faculty leaders, students, university committees, external community/industry/government partnersBasic competency in designing data collection processes, tracking metrics (enrollment, completion, satisfaction), and using that data to inform program improvementsMinimum Education, Work Experience & Required CertificationsBachelor's Degree 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: NoneSalary & BenefitsThe salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $54,060.00 - $78,444.00. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.

One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.