Job Description

Hiring Salary: $60,000 - $65,000 annually

The Program Operations & Educational Experiences Specialist supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of youth and adult programs within the Office of Youth Experiences. This role combines program operations, registration management, and direct educational engagement with participants. The ideal candidate brings significant classroom teaching experience, substantial experience working in youth camps or enrichment programs, and the ability to contribute creatively and operationally across a wide range of programs. This position plays a key role in creating engaging, well-organized, and high-quality participant experiences, while also supporting the behind-the-scenes systems and logistics that make programs successful.

This position combines operational, instructional, and participant support responsibilities, including oversight of registration systems and participant data processes; support for summer camps, field trips, after-school programs, and special events; facilitation of educational and enrichment activities for youth; communication with families, instructors, and university partners; contribution to curriculum development and program improvement efforts; and collaboration on departmental operations, special projects, and new initiatives.

Reporting to the Assistant Director for Operations, the Operations and Education Specialist will ensure that the goals and objectives of specific YXP programs are accomplished through daily operational management. The Operations and Education Specialist will provide timely, accessible, quality data and information to fulfill the reporting requests of YXP stakeholders, the USF System, and others.

Job Responsibilities:

• Oversee youth participant registration systems, reporting, and related data management processes. Coordinate program setup, enrollment tracking, participant records, roster generation, and reporting functions across youth programs and related systems. Troubleshoot registration and participant data issues, support data accuracy and integrity, and assist in identifying improvements to operational workflows and user experience. Collaborate with internal staff and university partners to support the effective collection, organization, and use of program and participant information.
• Collaborate with internal teams on the planning, coordination, and day-to-day operation of youth programs, including summer camps, field trips, after-school programs, and special events. Assist with scheduling, logistics, materials preparation, participant supervision, operational communication, and implementation of program procedures. Support program delivery through on-site coordination and operational problem-solving while helping ensure programs operate effectively and in alignment with university policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Facilitate engaging educational and enrichment activities for youth participants using strong instructional and classroom management practices. Lead and support hands-on learning experiences, classroom-style instruction, small group activities, and enrichment programming tailored to a variety of age groups and program formats. Utilize developmentally appropriate instructional strategies to promote participant engagement, positive group dynamics, and successful learning experiences in both classroom and informal educational environments.
• Communicate effectively with families, participants, instructors, university partners, and external stakeholders to support successful program delivery. Provide program information, respond to participant and family questions, assist with registration and operational inquiries, and support ongoing communication related to scheduling, logistics, and participant needs. Maintain effective working relationships with program staff, instructors, and university partners to support coordinated and responsive program operations.
• Contribute to curriculum development, program improvement, and the creation of welcoming and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for youth. Assist in the design, adaptation, coordination, and evaluation of educational activities, instructional materials, and enrichment experiences aligned to program goals and participant needs. Provide feedback regarding program operations, curriculum effectiveness, participant engagement, and opportunities for continuous improvement across youth programs and learning experiences.
• Collaborate with team members on operational needs, special projects, and new initiatives across the Office of Youth Experiences. Support departmental projects and cross-functional initiatives as assigned, including program development, outreach activities, operational planning, and administrative support functions.
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment by assisting with evolving organizational priorities and supporting the successful implementation of new programs and services.
• Perform other duties as required in support of the department or program.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in K-12 education, with two years of experience in related positions. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications:

5+ years' K-12 classroom teaching experience. Solid understanding and expertise in e-learning tools, teaching methodologies, principles, and techniques. Possess writing skills related to content development and instructional materials development. Experience in an academic center/institute, non-for-profit, or private sector organization.
Teaching certification in any K-12 discipline with ESOL, Reading, ESE, or Gifted endorsement is preferred.

Special Skills/Training:

Strong organizational, project management, and data analytical skills are required. Must have excellent writing and communication skills with the ability to create specialized documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Experience as a facilitator and learning/instructional designer, particularly for youth. Proficiency in creating multimedia assets for digital learning. Must be a team player with the ability to present related topics to diverse constituents and articulate technical subject matter to non-technical audiences.

Special Requirements:
Employment with the Florida Center for Instructional Technology requires you to complete a level one background check. Facilitation of youth programming at USF requires a level 2 background check. Failure to complete this requirement will be taken as a refusal of any job offer.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.