Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst 

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region. 

Job Summary

The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI) Organizational and Community Solutions (OCS) Project Coordinator works closely with OCS Project Managers to ensure the smooth execution of a wide variety of projects focused on organizational capacity building, project management, instructional design and eLearning, events management, and nonprofit sustainability.

Essential Functions

• Supports OCS Project Managers to develop and manage project plans and timelines, ensures all project deliverables meet quality standards and are on time.
• Develops, produces, and assembles instructional materials, including PowerPoint presentations, guides, and other resources and provides Learning Management Systems (LMS) administration.
• Coordinates and helps facilitate meetings; prepares and disseminates agendas and meeting minutes; and communicates effectively with diverse stakeholders, including communities, the public, campus entities, and sponsors.
• Serves as central coordinator and provides logistical and administrative support for in-person and virtual events and trainings, including securing venues, managing attendance, ordering supplies, and hosting.
• Prepares and updates project documents and uses project management software to track progress.
• Assists with research-related client deliverables, including background research; development of data collection instruments; data analysis; and evaluation and assessment of project outcomes.
• Assists in developing grant applications, public relations content, and outreach materials, including drafting, copy-editing, and formatting.
• Updates and manages OCS web pages and implements social media outreach and other engagement plans.
• Organizes and maintains OCS and project-specific databases and prepares status reports.

Other Functions

• Participates in business unit and UMDI-wide initiatives as required. 
• Supports special projects and provides other administrative tasks as assigned.
• Performs all other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree.  
• 1+ year of client-focused professional experience in the nonprofit, education, human services, or public health sector, with strong client relationship and communication skills. 
• Proficiency with multiple data and presentation systems. 
• Ability to quickly master and utilize project management systems.  
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member and with varying amounts of support, as project assignments may require.
• Demonstrated ability/experience in:
  • time management and prioritization;  
  • organizational, analytical, writing, and communication skills;  
  • ability to think creatively and propose solutions; and
  • appropriate handling of confidential information and materials.   
• Experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and building networks among BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. 

• 3+ years of professional experience in the nonprofit, education, human services, or public health sector. 
• Spanish language proficiency including the ability to effectively conduct business, engage community members, and collect data in Spanish.
• Two years’ experience in grant writing or other professional writing. 
• Experience with research and analytics software such as SPSS or Qualtrics. 
• Proficient in social media web and presentation platforms.   

Physical Demands/Working Conditions 

• Home-based office environment must include high-speed internet access, sufficiently free of distractions, where the employee will be expected to maintain regular communication with supervising manager(s), clients, and colleagues.
• When on-site, environment and work demands are fast-paced and dynamic, including multiple interruptions and requests for assistance.
• Multiple hours in a stationary position, using office equipment and computers, attending meetings, working closely and collaboratively with others.
• Flexibility to travel occasionally to locations in Massachusetts, New England, and nationally.
• Some transporting of supplies and materials up to 20 pounds. 
• The physical/mental demands and work environment factors described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Additional Details

• This is a full-time, benefited position.
• Applicants must be work authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis.
• Any job offer is specifically conditioned upon the potential candidate consenting to and successfully completing a background review.

Work Schedule 

• The standard full-time work schedule consists of five, eight-hour days and 40 hours each week.
• Work performed in addition to regular hours may be necessary, as may be a change in availability at specific times, to accommodate for variations in work demands.     
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information 

Salary Level 25

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants 

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.