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Policy and Program Officer - Pittsburgh Scholar House

POSITION:  Policy and Program Officer

LOCATION:  Pittsburgh Scholar House

REPORTS TO:  Managing Director of Programs and Operations

WORK SCHEDULE:  Fully Remote

About The Role:
The Policy and Program Officer plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of Pittsburgh Scholar House (PSH) to empower single-parent, income-eligible families and adult learners to achieve post-secondary educational attainment by addressing socio-economic and motivational barriers hindering their academic success. The position contributes to the creation of policies and procedures that provide a supportive community and coordinates resources that promote self-sufficiency and overall family well-being. This position will be responsible for building strong collaborative relationships leading to degree completion. Other duties may be assigned as practicable and appropriate.

Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in business, education, public policy or professional counseling is required.
  • Act 33/34 Clearances are required
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience working with need-based populations.
  • Valid Driver's License with reliable transportation.
  • High level of cultural competence and prior experience in nonprofit, social services, and/or academic support.
  • Desired expertise in program development, budget management, and fundraising.
  • Proficiency in research, computer, and technology skills. Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Experience with Salesforce and other databases is a plus.
  • Strong analytical abilities with effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated leadership ability to build capacity within a team.
  • Dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Educational Support Strengthening:

The PSH Policy and Program Officer will build on the existing family advocacy work, with a specific focus on enhancing educational support for families enrolled in degree programs. This includes social support elements to address various challenges. The officer will ensure families receive appropriate guidance to enroll in and successfully complete degree programs, aligned with PSH's commitment to facilitating educational access.

    • Design, implement, and oversee higher education programs that meet the needs of scholars.
    • Provide guidance and support to scholars, assisting with academic planning, career development, and personal challenges.
    • Develop and facilitate workshops, seminars, and events aimed at enhancing scholars’ academic and personal skills.
    • Monitor scholars’ progress and provide individualized support to help them achieve their educational goals.

Collaboration with Higher Education Institutions:

Collaborate closely with higher education institutions to develop strategies that facilitate the seamless enrollment and progression of PSH scholars in their academic programs. This involves fostering partnerships and advocating for the unique needs of students with parental responsibilities.

    • Establish and maintain partnerships with higher education institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
    • Coordinate with partner organizations to provide resources and opportunities for scholars.
    • Act as the primary point of contact for external partners, ensuring clear communication and collaboration.

Program Development and Management – process vs. people management

The Policy and Program Officer will manage the outreach and education process ensuring that program delivery aligns with the mission and vision of PSH. Develop and implement strategies to mitigate barriers that hinder degree completion through an educational navigation approach grounded in a holistic advisory model. This will involve identifying and addressing challenges related to academics, personal well-being, and family support. These strategies will be used and scaled appropriately based on the PSH programing.

    • Develop and maintain a detailed program schedule, ensuring timely delivery of services and activities.
    • Continuously evaluate program effectiveness and adjust as needed to improve outcomes.
    • Work closely with other staff members to ensure a cohesive approach to scholar support and program delivery.
    • Participate in organizational meetings and contribute to the overall strategic direction of Pittsburgh Scholar House.
    • Deliver culturally competent case management, academic coaching, and resource navigation.

Coordinated Services Delivery:

Work to establish a comprehensive network of supportive services, both internal and external, that connects scholars to resources promoting self-sufficiency and socio-economic empowerment during their pursuit of post-secondary education. This includes harnessing knowledge of human-services resources and creating a coherent service coordination strategy within the broader continuum of care.

    • Foster and maintain collaborative relationships with partners to ensure comprehensive support for scholars.
    • Work in collaboration with the family success team to ensure that families are matched with the most suitable services and resources based on their individual needs.
    • Work in collaboration with the family success team on the scholar psychosocial assessment process to identify needs and determine appropriate services and referrals.
    • Work with the family success team to implement policies and procedures for social service delivery and referral processes. 
    • Ensure staff are knowledgeable about available services, referral processes, and best practices in social service delivery.
    • Provide direct support and intervention when necessary to resolve complex cases or barriers to service access.

Data Management and Program Effectiveness:

Oversee the maintenance of programmatic data integrity to attract funders and partners, ensuring the effectiveness of PSH programs. Compile statistics and outcomes to communicate the results of the PSH program model. Identify and prepare funding requests to support resource delivery efforts.

    • Collect and analyze data related to program participation and outcomes.
    • Prepare regular reports on program performance, including metrics on scholar success and partnership effectiveness.
    • Use data to inform program improvements and strategic planning.

The Policy and Program Officer is expected to work cross-collaboratively with various departments and teams within the organization. Successful performance of duties requires effective communication, teamwork, and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals. Adaptability and a collaborative mindset are essential components of this role.

 

Qualified applicants should forward a cover letter and resume via email to HROffice@pointpark.edu (preferred) or mail to:  
Point Park University
Human Resources Office
201 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

When responding via email please reference - POLICY AND PROGRAM OFFICER  - in the subject line.

Please submit documents in Rich Text (.txt) Word document (.doc) or Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf).

All emails submitted will receive an automatic confirmation email.  Due to some junk mail filters, the confirmation email may not reach you.  To ensure receipt of the confirmation email, utilize the return receipt option built into your email program when sending your information. 

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.  Due to the high volume of resumes received, Point Park University will not be able to respond to inquiries regarding the status of your resume. If we determine that your skills and experience match the position requirements, we will contact you to discuss the opportunity further. If you do not hear from us, we encourage you to revisit our website at www.pointpark.edu for the status of the position and future opportunities. 

                                                                                               

Pittsburgh Scholar House is an Equal Opportunity Employer.