Project specialists provide project management support to deliver projects within the established budget and time line. These specialists are key members of the project team, and they participate in program and project development, disseminate project information and serve as active participants in project-related work groups and committees.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Working in conjunction with project staff, the project specialist assists with the implementation of programs and projects. Typical duties include planning, developing, implementing and evaluating programs and projects, coordinating project activities, collaborating with project team members, developing measurable project goals and objectives, and monitoring progress toward achievement.

Project specialists prepare agendas for meetings, document key decisions and collaborate with team members to develop project collateral. They write and disseminate work plans and project documents, including procedures, proposals, progress reports and presentations.

Communications and Collaboration

Project specialists actively participate in project work groups and committees, and they provide recommendations to achieve goals. They facilitate meetings, contribute to planning and decision making, coordinate project resources and liaise with project stakeholders to collect and disseminate project information.

Project specialists communicate effectively in both oral and written forms to a variety of stakeholders. They deliver engaging, informative and well-organized presentations, provide status reports and progress updates as needed and communicate difficult or sensitive information tactfully.

Financial Management

The fiscal responsibilities of project specialists include developing project budgets and preparing contracts. They may also manage the budget for small projects or components of large programs under the general direction of the program manager. Project specialists complete these duties drawing from a working knowledge of basic revenue models, profit-and-loss and cost-to-completion projections.

Skills and Experience

Individuals interested in pursuing the position of project specialist should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Employers typically require one to two years of experience with the planning, management and delivery of successful programs and projects. Candidates with subject-matter expertise in at least two of the following areas are desirable: information technology management, systems administration, training, software development, contract management and proposal development, budgeting, financial management, project management and business research.

Salary

As of April 2014, the median expected salary for a typical project specialist in the United States is $54, 831, according to Glassdoor.