Location: College Station,TX, USA
Job Title
Project Specialist I
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Horticultural Sciences
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
College Station, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Job Description Summary :
The project specialist is responsible for assisting in the planning and executing of research and outreach programs for the Plants, Nature, and Health Initiative (PNHI) and the Ellison Endowed Chair in Horticultural Sciences, including meetings, workshops, and conferences, while managing related communications and educational materials. They analyze data from various sources, create reports and presentations, and manage online dashboards to support academic and industry decision-making. Additionally, the specialist oversees video content management and website development and maintenance, ensuring effective team communication through e-newsletters and social media. They also provide administrative support, liaising between various stakeholders and coordinating logistical arrangements for meetings and outreach.
Qualifications
Required Education:
Bachelor's Degree. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Preferred Experience:
Experience in public health and/or plant/nature benefits.
Experience in project management.
Required Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong project management skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to plan, organize, and lead in-person and online meetings effectively.
Proficient in Excel spreadsheets, including a working knowledge of pivot tables, statistics, and graphing.
Proficient in PowerPoint presentation development.
Proficient in Word and medium-level desktop publishing.
Proficient in online meeting platforms (Teams, Zoom) and calendaring tools (Doodle)
Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
Preferred special knowledge, abilities and skills:
Proficient in video and photo editing.
Proficient in website management software (e.g., WordPress).
Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat PDF form generation, fi le editing, and e-signature capabilities.
Familiarity with data management and survey tools (e.g., Qualtrics)
Familiarity with Interfolio, Maestro, and travel management software.
Familiarity with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Fathom).
Job Responsibilities
Project Management Responsibilities:
* Assist in planning and conducting outreach programs including workshops, conferences, and symposia, particularly regarding programmatic activities of the Plants, Nature, and Health Initiative (PNHI). Develop informational and promotional materials, as well as managing correspondence with speakers, facilities representatives, and vendors.
* Download and generate descriptive statistics of data from selected government databases and other health and green industry-related websites; develop pivot tables in Excel spreadsheets for data analysis; aid in the preparation of industry trends reports, infographics, and PowerPoint presentations, and manage an online dashboard of economic and health-related metrics for decision-making by industry clientele.
* Develop surveys in Qualtrics (or similar programs) and manage the data debugging process, generate exportable data fi les for analysis, and assist in report generation.
* Assist in video editing and uploading of videos to YouTube and Vimeo related to programmatic eff orts of the Plants, Nature, and Health Initiative. Use selected Artificial Intelligence tools for drafting language for reports, grants, and correspondence, as well as other applicable tasks.
* Work with college audio-visual and marketing staff to develop, maintain, and revise/update websites as needed or as templates are updated. Conduct routine checks of website performance and maintain records of website usage. Develop and post news of research and outreach projects and accomplishments on social media platforms for the chair and department. Develop a website for the new Plants, Nature, and Health Initiative, as well a plan for maintaining the site.
* Set up, attend, record, and monitor online meetings with internal TAMU and agency faculty via Teams and/or Zoom software. Utilize online calendaring tools (e.g., Doodle, Calendly, etc.) to set up meetings internally and with external constituents. Record meetings and use AI transcripts to develop notes for follow-up and action plans.
* Develop, edit, and distribute an informational e-newsletter for advisory committee members, internal faculty and staff that are part of the PNHI, as well as external clientele. This correspondence includes materials such as recent publications, department and initiative updates, website performance metrics, and other related news as appropriate, as well as using these data and other resources to populate the newsletter.
Administrative Responsibilities:
* Report to the project/program administrators and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment in providing administrative support to the program.
* Act as liaison between the chairholder and advisory committee, department head and business office personnel, the PNHI steering committee, and any other constituency groups regarding PNHI and Chair programmatic activities and assist in resolving complex, sensitive and/or confidential administrative matters. Respond to routine information requests vis mail, phone, or other electronic means.
* Make administrative and logistical arrangements for Chair and PNHI-related meetings including Zoom or Teams arrangements, hotel blocks and reservations, meeting area(s), meals, and parking, creating itineraries, agenda, activity and financial reports and handouts, presentations, and other communication materials.
* Make administrative and logistical arrangements for the distinguished lecturers and/or seminar speakers including travel and hotel for guest speakers, location of lecture, and distributions of lecture announcement to faculty, students, staff , industry leaders, and publication editors, and preparing documents for reimbursements to guest speakers.
* Other support activities as required.
Restrictions and Other
Does this employee customarily and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment and have the authority to make important decisions?
Yes
If Yes, give percentage of time spent in this capacity:
25%
Machines or equipment used in the performance of essential duties:
Computer: 20 hrs
Telephone: 1 hr
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.