Sr Dept Program Specialist, U.S.iFE

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

250 East River Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14623

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

250548 LLE-Laboratory for Laser Energ

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 112

Compensation Range:

$70,600.00 - $105,800.00

Responsibilities:

The Sr. Department Program Specialist manages nationally visible programs that support the growth, coordination, and effectiveness of the Laboratory's U.S. Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) initiatives. This role manages complex program activities including the annual U.S. IFE conference, undergraduate workforce development programs, outreach activities, scientific workshops, and collaborations involving universities, national laboratories, industry partners, and the DOE Office of Fusion Energy Sciences.

Working under limited supervision, the position is responsible for program management, stakeholder engagement, communications, and operational activities to support LLE's education, workforce development, and scientific mission. The role exercises independent judgment in coordinating program activities, resolving operational issues, and supporting the successful execution of nationally visible initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Program & Event Coordination

• Leads  the planning and execution of nationally visible scientific programs and events, including the annual U.S. IFE conference, workshops, workforce development activities, and scientific meetings involving participants from universities, national laboratories, industry, and federal agencies.
• Manage operational activities associated with conferences and scientific programs, including communications, website coordination, abstract management, scheduling, logistics, sponsorship support, registration systems, and on-site event coordination.
• Facilitates program committee activities by organizing meetings, preparing agendas, facilitating communications, coordinating speakers, and tracking follow-up actions supporting U.S. IFE initiatives.

Program Support & Continuous Improvement

• Oversees the implementation and continuous improvement of workforce development, outreach, and scientific engagement programs that strengthen the U.S. inertial fusion energy community.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the DOE Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, national laboratories, universities, industry collaborators, and sponsors to support workforce development, scientific collaboration, outreach activities, and conference participation.
• Coordinate activities that expand participation and engagement among students, early career researchers, universities, and partner institutions.

Cross Functional Coordination

• Coordinate activities among LLE divisions, DOE supported programs, national laboratories, universities, and industry collaborators participating in workforce development and scientific engagement activities.
• Organizes activities with scientific staff, program leadership, sponsors, students, administrative teams, and external stakeholders to support conferences, workshops, outreach activities, and workforce development initiatives.
• Drives implementation of program objectives through conferences, student programs, outreach activities, scientific meetings, and related communications.
• Recommend and implement improvements to operational processes and communication practices that enhance coordination, efficiency, continuity, and visibility of U.S. IFE activities, including website content and community communications.

Operational Support

• Coordinate logistics, scheduling, communications, and operational activities supporting leadership participation in national U.S. IFE initiatives, conferences, workshops, and program reviews.
• Organize and support scientific reviews, workshops, visiting collaborators, internal meetings, and external engagement activities.
• Prepare and coordinate reports, presentations, outreach materials, and other communications supporting U.S. IFE programs and workforce initiatives.
• Support workforce engagement and community building activities associated with undergraduate programs, outreach efforts, scientific meetings, and national community initiatives.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of relevant experience required
• Master's degree preferred
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong leadership and team management skills required
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills required
• Proficiency in program evaluation and data analysis required
• Advanced budget management and financial planning expertise preferred
• Demonstrated ability to independently coordinate and execute moderately complex programs and initiatives with limited supervision preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, stakeholder management, and project coordination skills preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high quality results in a dynamic research environment preferred.
• Experience working with federal agencies, national laboratories, universities, research institutions, or scientific organizations preferred.
• Experience coordinating scientific programs, conferences, workforce development initiatives, or outreach activities preferred.
• Experience supporting communications, website coordination, branding, or digital engagement platforms preferred.
• Experience coordinating collaborative activities involving multiple organizations and stakeholders preferred.

Scope & Impact

• Coordinates multiple concurrent programs that support the U.S. inertial fusion energy community.
• Exercises independent judgment in coordinating operational activities, stakeholder communications, and program execution while working under limited supervision.
• Collaborates with federal agencies, national laboratories, universities, industry partners, students, and scientific staff to support program objectives.
• Recommends and implements operational improvements that enhance the effectiveness and coordination of workforce development, outreach, conferences, and scientific engagement activities.
• Work directly supports students, researchers, sponsors, institutional partners, and scientific stakeholders participating in U.S. IFE programs and activities.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.