Program Coord II - Chemistry IRSE

Staff Vacancy Announcement

The Chemistry Department invites applications for a Program Coordinator II to join their team. This position works administratively with the Indigenous Research and STEM Education (IRSE) program by providing leadership and management of personnel and finances associated with the operations of the IRSE. This position is part time, 0.5 FTE and can be flexible in terms of scheduling hours and days of the week. The incumbent will work with director to schedule work hours.

This position ensures that this program completes the requirements and goals set forth by the Director through the implementation of proposed programs. These programs may include research grants, scholarships and fellowships, recruitment and retention, outreach, and K-12 activities. The Program Coordinator II acts as a liaison to the Director when interfacing with undergraduate and graduate students, K-12 students and teachers, university members, state, federal, and tribal agencies, university and national organizations, industry, and the public. The person in this position may be tasked with supervising student workers as needed.

Key responsibilities of this position includes, but are not limited to:

Ensuring the success of IRSE’s projects and programs:

• Collaborating with the Director by conceptualizing, designing, critiquing, deliberating, selecting, and administering program projects to realize the goals of IRSE;
• Helping identify funding agencies and assisting in proposal preparation;
• Organizing and monitoring plans to inform students, Tribal agencies, interested individuals, and organizations throughout the nation about the programs;
• Overseeing and implementing the plan to identify and recruit participants, assessing individual program needs, monitoring the progress of students and other projects, and making recommendations to the Director as needed;
• Assist with developing protocol and documenting policies for the implementation of projects and outlaying of funds;
• Providing effective and efficient administration of the project(s), including, but not limited to, financial management, student records management, personnel management, and report writing;
• Meeting planned timelines for accomplishing critical elements of IRSE programs;
• Coordinating and using program resources and personnel to achieve program objectives and to coordinate programs with other organizations
• Interfacing with students, university administrators, university and national organizations, state and federal agencies, Tribal agencies, industry, elementary and secondary personnel, and the public to achieve IRSE’s goals;
• Maintaining regular and routine contact with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Ensure the effective and efficient Financial Management of the Programs by:

• Maintaining and monitoring the project’s budget through a soft ledger system;
• Reviewing budgets and ensuring that funds are allocated properly and being spent according to proposal guidelines;
• Maintaining all necessary backup documentation for all expenses;
• Maintaining transparent project operations;
• Developing itemized budgets and projections to submit to the Director and funding agencies for analysis by allocating funds and formulating itemized budgets by project
• Ensuring expenditures remain within projected budgets.

Ensure the effective and efficient Record Management of the Programs by:

• Implementing the grant’s evaluation plan as stipulated in approved proposals;
• Evaluating, quantitatively and qualitatively, the program’s success in achieving its process and outcome objectives according to each proposal;
• Maintaining filing and record systems of program activities and participants;
• Collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data;
• Preparing, submitting and presenting reports.

Ensure accountability for the Project:

• Monitoring relevant laws, regulations, and program practices;
• Identifying and developing administrative procedures to comply with federal and state laws and regulations, Regents and university policies, and generally accepted externally sponsored programs practices; and
• Justifying administrative actions by citing relevant authorizing rules, regulations,

Assist in the recruitment and retention of participants in the Programs

• Traveling to tribal schools, conferences, and other institutions to promote the program, identify participants, and build relationships; and
• Work closely with students that are a part of the program in helping them to complete requirements.

Contribute to Team Effort:

• Carrying out special projects or performing other duties as assigned by the Director;
• Maintaining open and ongoing communications with colleagues and supervisors;
• Participating in professional development activities;
• Being punctual and professional as a representative of Indigenous Research and STEM Education
• Acting for the Director in his/her absence;
• Representing the Director and at meetings.

Upon completion of training, the incumbent will have developed a working knowledge of:

• Ability to navigate UM's financial systems along with Banner to support work with students and other programs
• Skills and knowledge necessary to effectively work with tribal colleges and K-12 within tribal communities
• Local, state and federal laws relating to the program/project area
• Computer operation and effective use of software programs
• Skills necessary for program planning and implementation
• Ability to conduct independent research
• Skills required to effectively design and conducti training programs
• Ability to serve as a liaison with customer/provider groups
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally, in writing, and by telephone; balance and coordinate a workload for multiple projects

Required Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills and positive attitude.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Ability to exercise diplomacy and good judgment.
• Basic knowledge of budgeting.
• Ability to develop, recommend, and evaluate program procedures and recommend changes
• Ability to develop technical written materials such as policies, technical manuals or rules/regulations, and proposals
• Ability to devise solutions to problems, write concise reports, and develop and evaluate policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and display professionalism.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people, including the undergraduate and graduate students, public, faculty, elementary and secondary students and teachers, staff, Tribal groups, etc.
• Ability to travel, work weekends, and after regular business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related area and two (2) or more years of related work experience; or Master’s degree in related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling 6+ years.

About the Chemistry Department and UM

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers undergraduate and graduate study leading to the B.S., M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. The diverse interests of the faculty allow graduate students to pursue research in any of the following areas: environmental, biochemistry, organic, organometallic, analytical or physical chemistry in addition to chemical education. Undergraduate students frequently join our research teams as they work toward B.S. degrees in a number of specializations.

Indigenous Research and STEM Education (IRSE) is dedicated to the advancement of Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and First Nation students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academic disciplines and professions.

The University of Montana is a flagship, research institution with over 9,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “ top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000 ” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “ The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014 . Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life . Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.



To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
• Video: UM Lifestyles
• University Highlights

Position Details

Position Title: Program Coordinator II

Position Number: 912A04

Department: Chemistry

Work Schedule: Part-time 0.5 FTE (20 Hours a week). Scheduling can be flexible.

Salary: $16.25/hr –Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation: FOCUS-MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).


How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Monday, September 27, 2021 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by the ‘Priority Application Date’ will be guaranteed consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below.

*Please note, only five (5) attachments allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Part-Time