Project Specialist

The mission of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is to improve the well-being of vulnerable individuals and communities, advance social and economic justice, and address pressing societal problems in complex and culturally diverse urban environments throughout Southern California, the nation, and the world. This mission is advanced through experiential, practice-based, and competency-based learning, culturally responsive training, research, and the application of evidence-informed practices.

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is conducted through a partnership between the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). The Demographic Survey component of the Homeless Count collects information from people experiencing homelessness throughout Los Angeles County. USC seeks to build a diverse, skilled, and community-responsive team with an interest in homelessness research, technology, field operations, and public service.

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is seeking a Project Specialist to provide technical, administrative, and field support for the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Demographic Survey. The Project Specialist will help develop and maintain technology systems used to manage field operations, support the implementation of Esri products and platforms, provide technical assistance to survey staff and administrators, and maintain project tablets, mobile devices, applications, and related equipment.

The Project Specialist will also participate directly in field data collection and may serve as a Team Lead during survey deployments. The position requires the ability to balance technical responsibilities with field-based project operations, staff support, survey administration, and troubleshooting in a fast-paced environment.

This is an in-person and field-based position. The Project Specialist must be able to travel throughout Los Angeles County and must have reliable transportation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys with individuals and families experiencing homelessness in accordance with research, consent, confidentiality, and safety protocols.
• Serve as a Team Lead, supervising field staff, conducting briefings and debriefings, monitoring progress, and addressing operational challenges.
• Support daily deployment planning, staff assignments, geographic coverage, transportation, equipment, incentives, and survey materials.
• Review surveys and field records for completeness, accuracy, protocol compliance, and data quality.
• Participate in project meetings, trainings, stakeholder coordination, data cleaning, reporting, and development of field procedures.
• Maintain relationships with LAHSA, Family Solution Centers, Safe Parking sites, outreach organizations, and other community partners.
• Configure, distribute, track, update, and maintain tablets, phones, hotspots, survey applications, user accounts, and related equipment.
• Provide technical assistance and training to surveyors, Team Leads, drivers, administrators, and project managers.
• Support Esri platforms, including ArcGIS Online, Survey123, Field Maps, QuickCapture, Experience Builder, and Dashboards, for mapping, assignments, navigation, and progress monitoring.
• Develop, test, maintain, and document staff-facing web interfaces, digital tools, dashboards, forms, workflows, and integrated data systems.

Minimum Education and Experience

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree

Additional Education Requirements

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:

2 years

Minimum Skills:

Directly related education and experience to be able to advise on project procedures and analysis techniques.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, GIS, data science, public administration, social science, social work, public health, urban planning, or a related field.
• Experience supporting research, field surveys, homelessness programs, or large-scale community data collection.
• Experience developing or maintaining websites, dashboards, databases, digital forms, or workflow tools.
• Experience with Esri platforms, REDCap, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and related data-management systems.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting tablets, smartphones, mobile applications, connectivity, and user accounts.
• Experience providing technical support and creating user guides, training materials, or standard operating procedures.
• Experience supervising staff, leading field teams, conducting interviews, or collecting survey data.
• Experience working with people experiencing homelessness and diverse communities, including individuals with limited English proficiency.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and high data-quality expectations.
• Knowledge of Los Angeles County geography and Service Planning Areas; bilingual English-Spanish competency preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to configure, test, support, and troubleshoot web-based systems, mobile applications, tablets, devices, connectivity, user accounts, and data synchronization.
• Ability to create clear technical documentation and explain procedures to users with varying levels of technical experience.
• Proficiency with computers, tablets, smartphones, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and related workplace technology.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage technical, administrative, equipment, and field responsibilities simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality, confidentiality, accurate documentation, and research protocols.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, meet deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing field conditions.
• Ability to lead and support diverse staff and communicate effectively with project personnel, community partners, and research participants.
• Ability to discuss homelessness, health, violence, trauma, and other sensitive topics professionally, respectfully, and ethically.
• Willingness to work in office, community, and outdoor settings, including occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel throughout Los Angeles County.

Working Conditions

This position requires regular work in an office environment and frequent work in community and outdoor field settings. Field conditions may include walking for extended periods, entering encampment areas, working near vehicles or roadways, exposure to weather conditions, and interacting with individuals experiencing housing instability or other vulnerabilities.

The employee must follow all USC, project, research, data-security, and field-safety protocols. The employee may be required to transport and lift tablets, equipment, survey materials, and other project supplies.

This is not a remote or hybrid position. The employee is expected to report to the project office and field locations as assigned.

Appointment Terms

This position is a full-time, fixed-term, grant-funded appointment for a one-year period. Continuation or renewal is contingent upon project needs, satisfactory performance, and the availability of funding.

Compensation

This position is budgeted at the max $34.00/Hr. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, and external market and organizational considerations.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D( opens in new window) for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

Required Application Documents

• Cover letter
• Resume or curriculum vitae

Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree

Additional Education Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:
2 years

Minimum Skills:
Directly related education and experience to be able to advise on project procedures and analysis techniques.


Preferred Education:
Master's degree

Preferred Experience:
3 years

                                                  

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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