Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator

Ames, IA

Full time

R20141

Position Title:Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Special Required QualificationsValid U.S. Driver's License

Job Description:

The Institute for Design Research and Outreach (IDRO) in the College of Design is seeking an Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator (Program Specialist II) to oversee the day-to-day operations of the college’s community and partner engagement programs.

Success in this role requires strong project management and coordination skills, the ability to balance multiple projects and competing priorities, and a proactive, organized approach to completing tasks. The position also requires applying technical skills to community and local government issues, including analyzing trends, interpreting survey data, evaluating project goals, and using findings to inform recommendations and measure outcomes.

Examples of Duties:

• Coordinate day-to-day community engagement programs, including developing timelines, organizing events, tracking deliverables, and ensuring activities align with program goals.

• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to coordinate program activities, support project implementation, and advance community engagement initiatives.

• Provide technical assistance through site visits, workshops, reports, presentations, database development, and outreach materials to support project activities and partner needs.

• Identify and recruit community partners, including local governments, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector representatives, while maintaining effective working relationships.

• Assist with grant applications, funding opportunities, program development, and the expansion of community partnerships and outreach initiatives.

• Monitor project progress, analyze data and survey results, evaluate program outcomes, and document impact to inform reporting and continuous improvement.

• Coordinate follow-up activities with partners, faculty, and students to support project implementation, strengthen relationships, and achieve program objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, design, community development, public administration, or a related field.

• Experience in community engagement, partnership development, and stakeholder relationship management.

• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, including the ability to support and coordinate meetings, workshops, and group discussions.

• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional correspondence to elected officials, organize complex information, and present ideas clearly and effectively.

• Familiarity with Iowa local governments, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and community-based partnerships.

The Institute for Design Research and Outreach (IDRO) encompasses the research, extension, and outreach missions of the College of Design. Broadly defined, IDRO’s overall mission is to stimulate and support research, extension, and outreach efforts in areas of strength and relevance to the design disciplines.

The institute promotes interdisciplinary design research, facilitates communication with design professionals and the public, and responds to the needs of the people of Iowa in areas associated with the design disciplines. Projects often are conducted collaboratively, and individual faculty may be involved in several different programs at the same time. Through IDRO, faculty and students work together with citizen groups, businesses, communities, nonprofit organizations and government agencies in addressing problems to improve the quality of our built environment and our lives.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. The following application materials are required:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae

• Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans

• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

• Life insurance and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Various voluntary benefits and discounts

• Employee Assistance Program

• Wellbeing program

• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS807

Original Posting Date: November 4, 2026

Posting Close Date:November 11, 2026

Job Requisition Number:R20141

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub (https://www.myworkday.com/isu/d/task/2998$46522.htmld?reloadToken=892f884ef9c2fa7e5e6257ecf4e9e942f7aa1a12df75918c6ce41bc78e123167) .

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.