Program Specialist- COPH - req# 30504 - University of New Mexico

The College of Population is seeking an enthusiastic Program Specialist to support the administrative and community engagement needs of the Transdisciplinary Research, Equity and Engagement Center at UNM as the sponsoring space and operational and research administrative structure for the WEAVE NM project (Wide Engagement for Assessing Vaccine Equity New Mexico). This person will assist the administrative, research team members and affiliated community partners/investigators with milestone compliance of the project and support the work of the Sr. Program Manager and scientific research lead (mPI) of the TREE Center with financial, administrative tasks and logistical support and technical assistance with community engagement strategies and events. The Program Specialist will make PCard purchases and track compliance for incentives, travel and other supplies and materials needed for the project and assist with organizing the logistics for community events and meetings. This person will work with the Sr. Program Manager and mPI of the TREE Center to assist with day-to-day operations including project spending and tracking of budgets.

Plans and implements a contract/grant-funded program initiative for an operational entity of the University. Participates in the generation of program resources and in the design and development of program operating goals, objectives, and protocols. Responsible for the appropriate use of programmatic funds within the parameters of the contract/grant, up to approximately $250,000 per fiscal year. Represents the program to both internal and external constituencies with respect to program implementation and operational matters, and provides technical/professional and programmatic guidance, consultation, and support to community research partners and other client constituencies as appropriate. This is typically a term position tied to the contract/grant funding period, which requires approval by Human Resources prior to use.

The Program

The Transdisciplinary Research Equity and Engagement Center is among twelve research centers of excellence (COEs) funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Collectively, these centers play a vital role in realizing NIMHDs mission to support research in minority health and health disparities, promote the training of a diverse research workforce, disseminate research findings, and foster innovative collaborations and partnerships. Housed at the University of New Mexico, the TREE Center cultivates the collective passion and responsibility among local state, tribal and national stakeholders to create opportunities for transformative impact to:

1) Improve health equity among diverse communities;

2) Nurture community/academic ways of knowing; and

3) Prepare the next generation for conducting transdisciplinary multi-level intervention research.

The WEAVE New Mexico is a multi-level intervention, Heart Health and Nutrition for Life (HHNL) is designed to advance the science of community engaged health disparities research across multi-cultural populations, ensuring high rigor and reproducibility. Using a multi-phase randomized control design, we will examine whether patients diagnosed with hypertension that receive standard clinical care plus community health workers/promotores and community-based interventions will show improvements in clinical patient reported outcomes compared to a control group receiving only standard clinical care.

The specific aims of this community-engaged, mixed method project are:

Aim 1. Engage with community partners in the development, implementation and translation and dissemination of a multi-level clinical-community and food security interventions in order to reduce the biomedical, socio-cultural and environmental risks and cardio-vascular disease (hypertension) among Latinos, Native American, African American and Asian American communities living in the rural and metropolitan areas of Albuquerque, New Mexico;

Aim 2. Assess the effectiveness of the community health worker and community-based intervention in enhancing cardio-vascular disease (hypertension) treatment efforts;

Aim 3. Develop culturally aligned and community-based environmental interventions across four multi-cultural groups to reduce the environmental and structural risks of food insecurity as a pathway to hypertension; and

Aim 4. Translate and disseminate the results and outcomes from Aims 2 and 3 in order to replicate best practices for managing cardiovascular disease and the complex related conditions affecting multi-cultural populations in other Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Plans and coordinates the development, implementation, and execution of sub-programs, special projects, and other initiatives designed to achieve the overall mission, goals, and objectives of the TREE Center.
2. Oversees and administers all facets of the day-to-day operations of the various programs and activities related to the position.
3. Serves as a liaison with internal and external constituencies on all matters relating to program activities; represents the University with respect to program activities on a local, regional, and/or national basis.
4. Plans, develops, and implements strategies for identifying and generating funding and/or resource opportunities for program activities, to include development of grant and other fundraising proposals.
5. Provides and/or coordinates the provision of technical guidance, consultation, related support to clientele within area of program focus; provides day-to-day problem solving as necessary on day-to-day program-related needs and issues.
6. Creates, produces, and delivers a range of promotional, educational, and informational presentations, and/or resource materials related to program activities and initiatives.
7. Oversees and/or coordinates the collection, compilation, and analysis of program activity data; develops, writes, edits, and presents comprehensive statistical and narrative program reports and evaluations.
8. Advises on operating goals and objectives for the program; identifies opportunities to enhance program operations in order to achieve greater efficiencies and effectiveness and to fulfill program objectives outlined within the contract/grant.
9. May supervise and/or lead staff and/or student employees, as assigned.
10. May serve as Campus Security Authority as outlined by the Clery Act.
11. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• If located at the UNM Children's Campus, successful candidate must pass a comprehensive post-offer, pre-employment criminal and New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) fingerprint background check, and a continued successful status will be verified by periodic future background checks.

High school diploma or GED; at least 6 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures.
• Skill in the use of computers, preferably in a PC, Windows-based operating environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Experience with community engagement including work with community health workers, tribal community health representatives and promotores de salud
• Skill in UNM PCard purchasing, processing travel, processing invoices, reconciling PCard purchases, and general fiscal management.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Ability to serve on task forces and/or committees.
• Program planning and implementation skills.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques.

Only applications submitted throughthe official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this jobadvertisement on a 3rd party site, pleasevisit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.