Description

TITLE: Athlete and Family Project Specialist (Part-Time)

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Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a community of more than 55,000 traditional athletes, Young Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and more. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year-round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. As a part of the Special Olympics Illinois team, you’ll join an energetic and hard-working group of individuals committed to transforming the lives of those we serve.

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Position Overview

The Athlete and Family Project Specialist (PT) is primarily responsible for providing administrative and logistical support for various projects and initiatives with the Athlete and Family Initiatives team. A successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with our team to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports and community engagement. This part-time position has the potential to lead into a full-time role based on performance and organizational needs.

Project & Support Team Member Core Roles:

• Classification Criteria and Scope of Responsibility: Entry-level position. Work is directly related to specific business operations and independent judgment is often necessary. Team Member performs assigned tasks under immediate supervision and work is generally routine, administrative in nature and/or customer service oriented. Team Member is responsible for basic organizational duties required of a particular department, function or project within a department of the organization. Team Member contributes to the organization with assistance from more senior positions.
• Conduct: Support Team Members must demonstrate the mission, vision and values of Special Olympics Illinois through consistent adherence to Special Olympics Illinois’ SO Way; by exercising a high level of cooperative, friendly and effective teamwork skills; by resolving conflict directly, effectively and professionally; and by committing to support and be helpful to other Team Members and departments within the organization.
• Performance: Satisfactory work performance requires consistently strong work product output, including the successful execution and completion of all job duties and goals; autonomy, ownership, competence and excellence of work product; innovation and process improvement; effective resource management; professional development; and compliance with accepted organizational and legal rules, regulations and policies.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively works with Director-Athlete & Family Initiatives to achieve strategic goals to ensure progress toward organization objectives and to protect the financial integrity of the organization
• Assists with driving program Athlete Leadership and Families initiatives 
• Assist with the planning, coordination, and execution of events, leadership trainings, and other Special Olympics programs.
• Assist with volunteer recruitment, training, communication and coordination for events and programs.
• Provide administrative support including data entry, filing, scheduling meetings, and preparing documents.
• Help manage communication channels such as email, phone calls, and social media platforms.
• Collaborate with team members to implement marketing and outreach strategies to promote Special Olympics programs.
• Support the evaluation and reporting of program outcomes and impact.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall mission and goals of Special Olympics Illinois.

Requirements

Qualifications/Skills and Knowledge Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.
•  Previous experience in administrative support, event planning, or project coordination preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to operate telephone, photocopier, fax machine, mail machines and computer workstation
• Passion for the mission and values of Special Olympics.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Customer focus

Essential Functions/Work Schedule:

• Based at the Special Olympics Illinois headquarters in Normal, IL
• Reports to Director-Athlete & Family Initiatives
• Part-time, 30 hours/week
• Monday through Friday with frequent evenings and weekends as position demands, not to exceed 30 hours/week
• Occasional independent in-state travel may be required, including possible overnight or weekend travel 
• The position offers competitive compensation and the opportunity for growth within the organization.
• Physical mobility required: must be able to climb stairs, assist in set-up and breakdown at events, stand or sit for long periods of time, and load and unload vehicles
• Medium work required, which involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds; includes sedentary and light work
• Close visual acuity required to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines; operating motor vehicles
• First Aid/CPR Training and Certification required or willing to obtain; must be able and willing to effectively administer First Aid/CPR on-site during events
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance required
• Offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a background check

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to building a diverse, creative, engaged, collaborative, and hard-working team that is dedicated to our athletes, our communities, and each other. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we aim to create a positive atmosphere where employees feel valued and fulfilled. We truly want people to love working here, and we strive to create a culture that allows for growth, opportunity, and fun.

Special Olympics Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.