Professional Staff Assistant to the Physician Assistant Program Director

ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

Title (Function): Professional Staff
Assistant to the Physician Assistant Program Director
Department: Kinesiology
Reporting To: Director / Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Program
FLSA Status: Exempt
Compensation: $46,000.00-48,000.00. Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!
Open Date: 07/18/2025
Close Date: 08/03/2025 11:59 PM MST

SECTION
I - OUR VALUES CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE

At CMU, we believe
in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to
form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the
pursuit of new possibilities. It's this courage that enables the Mavily to explore
new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no
perfect idea.

From this place of humility and courage, we've built a culture of resilience.
We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming
challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is
constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless
curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing
opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community
rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities
for growth and advancement.

Inspired by the soul of the West-the spirit that our region embodies-we emerge
as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a
Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared
vision of the world we aspire to create.

Colorado Mesa University Core Values
Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and
others
Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and
believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
Humility - Suspending one's ego and pride to recognize that no idea
is perfect and being open to the input of others
Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes,
overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity
Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to
achieve our goals

SECTION
II - THE SEAT

At CMU, we look at
every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat
contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and
accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships
that support the well-being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric
organization, a priority is to ensure we have the "right seats" in our
organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are
defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the
seats.

The
Professional Staff Assistant to the Physician Assistant Program Director is a
key role to the Bechtel Physician Assistant Program. This position is
responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the program.
The Professional Staff Assistant will develop, direct, and coordinate the daily
operations and public relations of the Physician Assistant Program by providing
administrative assistance to the Program Director, responding to student and
faculty concerns, maintaining course records, assisting with admissions, and
assisting with preparation of course material in order to meet programmatic,
administrative, supervised clinical practice experiences, and capstone
requirements. Additional responsibilities of the Professional Staff
Assistant will be to research and understand regulatory policies for placement
of students to maintain compliance, collect and maintain data on inventory and
other key areas of the department, project and event management, and other
duties as assigned. The ideal candidate will be excited to work with students,
faculty and staff, maintain a high attention to detail, and demonstrate experience
in administrative assistance or project management.

OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS

• Provides professional assistant to the Physician Assistant Program Director, Head of Kinesiology, and program faculty in the overall administration of the Physician Assistant Program. Includes the authority to make and commit to administrative decisions on behalf of the program director and department head, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  
• Researches regulatory policy of the state Medical Board, all Physician Assistant accreditation agencies, external grant agencies, and clinical agencies for placement of physician assistant program students to maintain compliance.
  
• Supervises and manages the daily operations of the Physician Assistant Program office. Schedules and monitors appointments, prepares reports for meetings, answers routine inquiries, and provides assistance in ensuring the image of the University and the Kinesiology department, specifically that the program is upheld to exemplary standards.
  
• Responds to student and faculty questions and concerns according to departmental and university policies and procedures. Takes the appropriate steps to investigate, resolves or appropriately addresses issues using independent judgment.
  
• Participates in all assigned meetings, takes minutes, and transcribes in a promptly fashion for dissemination to program attendees.
  
• Independently plans and prepares reports necessary for data collection of program inventory. Secures necessary program materials via fax, postal service or university procurement. Follows program budget, maintains and documents all program invoices for equipment, office materials and classroom supplies. Orders and tracks all departmental supplies as well as assist faculty with obtaining needed classroom supplies and materials.
  
• Plans, organizes and prepares major projects and activities for the Physician Assistant Program. This includes research, analysis, development of drafts or materials, and monitoring of projects.
  
• Handles incoming and outgoing telephone calls as well as independently follows up on phone, written, and email correspondence with related departments throughout the university and with the public.
  
• Establishes and maintains courteous, cooperative, service-oriented relationships, with the public and other members of the department. Demonstrates effective problem-solving skills and professional behavior.
  
• Independently reviews student applications for completeness via the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants(CASPA) and communicates with the program director on any concerns related to these data.
  
• Participate in organizing materials and creating documents necessary for initial and ongoing accreditation
  
• Serves as a resource for public, students, faculty, and other departments. Controls office workflow, exercising substantial judgement and working with minimal supervision.
  
• Maintains all student files including any electronic records according to ARC-PA policies.
  
• Ensures FERPA polices are followed for any communication regarding students. Reviews, analyzes, and comprehends sensitive and legal/confidential materials in the function of this office (e.g., FERPA). Advises and handles dissemination and coordination of such matters, utilizing correct protocols. Understands the role of FERPA in this environment.
  
• Plans, organizes, and arranges for the hosting of various meetings, events, or activities sponsored by, or involving, the Physician Assistant program. This includes arranging for facilities, orientations, hosting events with the department for potential students and fieldwork sites.
  
• Ensures speakers and faculty have functional IT equipment and problem solves how to obtain assistance in the case of malfunction. Plans and organizes room accommodations, meals, and general coordination of the specific events or activities.
  
• Manages travel arrangements for the program director and faculty, including making travel plans and preparation of travel budget forms as necessary.
  
• Ensures all program workspace and classrooms are properly organized including course materials and equipment being properly stored and locked at the end of every workday.
  
• Other duties as assigned.

  
  SECTION
  III - OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT

  For the success of
  our mission and our teams, we desire to have individuals who are a "Right Fit"
  in our seats. We define "Right Fit" as those who embrace our culture,
  demonstrate our values, understand the seat and what is required. We seek
  individuals who want this seat, desire to be a part of a bigger vision and have
  the capacity to be a successful member of our CMU team.

  ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FOR RIGHT FIT
  

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or
  university or a minimum of 5 years of progressive office experience in the
  health care field, in budget management and/or executive support.
  
• Minimum of one year of related experience in office/project management.
  
• Proficient with all Microsoft Office Suite applications to include, Word,
  Excel, Outlook and Adobe Acrobat.
  
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential
  situations.
  
• Excellent organizational skills
  
• Must be detail-oriented and have the ability to communicate effectively and
  clearly both verbally and in writing.
  
• Experience in a direct support relationship in an institution of higher
  education or similar type organization is preferred.
  
  Reasonable
  accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
  the essential functions.
  
  DISCLAIMER - This position description is only a summary of the typical
  functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and
  areas of accountability.
  
  DIRECT INQUIRIES
  CONTACT: Daniel Millward, dmillward@coloradomesa.edu
  
  HOW TO APPLY: Applicants will be
  asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then
  providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared
  to upload a:
  
• Cover letter
  
• Resume
  
• Include the name,
  phone number, email address and relationship of at least three professional
  references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying
  for. Professional references should include at least one current or former
  supervisor. Professional reference may also include current or former
  employers, colleagues or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge and
  can recommend you for employment.
  
• Copy of
  transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social
  security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading
  the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire)

  ABOUT
  COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY

  A comprehensive
  university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional
  educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado's
  largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction,
  its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via
  online offerings.

  Colorado Mesa
  University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western
  Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and
  international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling
  10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.
  
  At the heart of
  the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher
  education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to
  challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and
  thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain
  the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in
  life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong
  liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment
  needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce
  demands.
  
  The Grand Valley is
  home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you
  will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the
  Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class
  mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that's
  less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country
  skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one
  of Colorado's best kept secrets.
  
  Colorado Mesa
  University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working
  with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment
  to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students
  within higher education.
  
  Colorado Mesa
  University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living
  community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all
  final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations
  include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when
  appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able
  to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal
  Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and
  student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a
  disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided
  reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an
  employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU
  Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide
  additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional
  limitations and the type of accommodation needed.

  
  Colorado Mesa University
  
  Attn: Human Resources Office
  
  1100 North Avenue
  
  Grand Junction, CO 81501

  
  970.248.1820