Program Coordinator, MSSP Program

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Program Coordinator, MSSP Program

Job Profile Title

Coordinator B

Job Description Summary

The Program Coordinator provides administrative and programmatic support to the M.S. in Social Policy (MSSP) and the MSSP with a Certificate in Data Analytics (MSSP+DA), as well as cross program initiatives within the school. This position is responsible for overall management assistance to the MSSP & MSSP+DA Associate Director in relation to program procedures and operations, practicum placements and partnerships, student advising, career development initiatives, and program development. Collaboration across the school is an essential element for all duties. Responsibilities include academic advising and practicum advising, developing and maintaining partnerships with organizations and practicum sites, maintaining practicum course operations, supporting admissions recruitment and operations, coordinating events, workshops, and career programming; managing programmatic communications, and supporting overall student success initiatives. The coordinator will support the Associate Director in implementing school wide initiatives such as the HUB model for practica, yield activities, and more as needed.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Provide overall administrative and programmatic support for MSSP faculty, students, staff, and Governance Committee. Coordinate and schedule meetings, write meeting minutes, and other documents; work with the finance department to request purchase orders, honoraria, and make departmental purchases using the Penn Marketplace and the departmental purchasing card; prepare hire letters for PT faculty, TAs, course assistants, temps. Assist the MSSP team with building the course schedule and providing orientation information to PT faculty/temporary staff. Provide logistical support with new curricular developments as needed. Answer the MSSP and MSSP Advising email and direct student inquiries, as needed.
• Provide overall management of the MSSP/+DA Practicum Program. Collaborate across the school in shared practica activities such as the HUB model. Advise students on the placement process, manage and maintain the SONIA database, working with HUB staff, manage and grow strategic partnerships in collaboration with HUB staff, manage course operations and approvals, and manage compliance processes in collaboration with MSSP staff and Penn ISSS. Develop best practices and improve processes for practicum program management, ensure accurate student data, and maintain effective practicum-related communications within the program, across the school and external to the school.

• Contribute to MSSP admissions initiatives, including assisting with recruitment, outreach, and admissions duties, meeting with prospective students, hosting open houses and informational sessions, representing the program at recruitment fairs and events, interviewing and assessing applicants, and providing recommendations regarding admission. Collaborate across the school in implementing school wide admission and yield activities.

• Coordinate logistics of all MSSP program events, including Social Policy Speaker Series, social events for MSSP students, alumni events, the Edmund W. Gordon annual lecture, new student orientation, graduation, and other potential events. Collaborate with other school departments such as IA and OSA to implement these activities.
• Provide academic advising to MSSP and/or MSSP+DA students to assist with course selection, degree planning, career development, and other related activities.
• Under the supervision and approval of the Associate Director, and working with SP2 Strategic Communications staff, coordinate communications initiatives, including creating and sending the weekly MSSP newsletter and monthly alumni newsletter, maintain website content, and aid in social media ad campaigns. In collaboration with school wide communications efforts, increase program visibility by creating and circulating flyers and brochures for events and courses to the SP2 community and across Penn. Develop additional communications initiatives as needed, in collaboration with school wide messaging efforts. Supervise graduate assistant worker.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned, including full participation in Commencement and Convocation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy or related discipline, along with 2-3 years of experience in public policy or project management, required. Master’s Degree strongly preferred, in Education, Policy, International Relations, or related disciplines. The position requires someone with excellent project management, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. Attention to detail and ability to work on multiple tasks and projects – and to be able to track those projects for MSSP staff – is required. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel. Prior experience working with faculty, students, and coordinating admissions initiatives preferred. A commitment to social justice and student-focused service is a must.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Social Policy and Practice

Pay Range

$55,962.00 - $63,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay