NSF NRT Project Coordinator

South Dakota Board of Regents; South Dakota; On-site; USD 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota Board of Regents seeks a Project Coordinator for SDSMT-Civil & Environmental Engineering to manage the NSF NRT program operations. You will coordinate recruitment, onboarding, seminars, and program activities across teams, ensuring timely delivery and compliant reporting.

You will interact with faculty, trainees, evaluators and external partners, while organizing data, documents, and communications to support high‑quality trainee experiences in AI, smart materials, and digital twins.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating multiple program activities and deadlines.
• Strong written English for reports, emails, and correspondence.
• Familiarity with office software, spreadsheets, databases and collaboration tools.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate trainee recruitment, selection logistics, onboarding and ongoing program participation.
• Plan and coordinate meetings, seminars, workshops and related logistics.
• Collect, organize, verify, and summarize program data for assessment and reporting.
• Prepare and edit professional reports, materials, and presentations.
• Maintain communications with faculty, trainees, partners, evaluators and external stakeholders.
• Track milestones, deadlines and deliverables to support NSF reporting and compliance.

Skills

Program coordination

Professional writing

Office productivity tools

Data tracking

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Database software

Virtual meeting tools

Job description

Department SDSMT-Civil & Environmental Engineering 1

Physical Location of Position (City)

Physical Location of Position (City) Rapid City

LOCATION : Civil & Environmental Engineering

Starting Hourly Rate: Minimum of $19.27 per hour, depending upon education and experience, GF

POSITION PURPOSE :

The Project Coordinator serves as the primary operational coordinator for projects including the South Dakota Mines’ NSF Research Traineeship ( NRT ) program, led through the 2D-Materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science, and Technology (2DBEST) Center. The position translates program leadership priorities into coordinated day-to-day implementation and helps ensure a consistent, high-quality trainee experience across an interdisciplinary program focused on AI, intelligent materials, microbiome engineering, and digital twins. The coordinator works closely with the Principal Investigator and program leadership to coordinate trainee recruitment and onboarding; seminars, workshops, meetings, and other program activities; assessment, data collection, documentation, and NSF reporting; communications among faculty, trainees, institutional partners, evaluators, and external stakeholders; and access to shared research and training resources. The position also tracks milestones, deadlines, and deliverables to support timely, organized, and compliant execution of the NRT program.

KNOWLEDGE , SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• principles and practices of project and program coordination, preferably in a higher-education, research, or grant-funded environment;
• professional written English, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and business correspondence;
• common office, productivity, collaboration, spreadsheet, database, and virtual-meeting software applications;
• recordkeeping, data tracking, document management, and basic sponsored-project reporting and confidentiality practices.

Ability to:

• coordinate multiple program activities, priorities, timelines, and deliverables simultaneously;
• support trainee recruitment, selection-process logistics, onboarding, and ongoing program participation;
• plan and coordinate meetings, seminars, workshops, training activities, and related logistics;
• collect, organize, verify, maintain, and summarize program data for assessment, reporting, and decision-making;
• prepare, proofread, and edit professional correspondence, program materials, reports, presentations, and other documents;
• communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with faculty, students, administrators, institutional partners, evaluators, and external stakeholders;
• read, interpret, and apply written program requirements, institutional procedures, and sponsor guidance;
• maintain accurate records and handle sensitive or confidential information with appropriate discretion;
• research and compile information and follow through on action items, deadlines, and requests;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships across interdisciplinary teams and with individuals from varied backgrounds;
• exercise sound judgment, tact, initiative, patience, and discretion in resolving routine program issues and coordinating competing needs;
• work independently with limited supervision while contributing effectively to a collaborative team and adapting to changing program needs.

South Dakota Mines is committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce and offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package for employees, spouses and dependents; retirement plans; paid holidays; and a generous vacation and sick day allowance. Human Resources can provide accommodation to the online application process and may be reached at [phone] or [e-mail] . Review of applications will begin August 20, 2026. Employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

We emphasize fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and convergence culture that values innovation, teamwork, professionalism, and service. The department is committed to excellence in research, education, and workforce development, and supports staff who contribute to a positive, respectful, and mission-driven environment.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment.

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. Ear Protection (including earplugs), Eye Protection, Latex Gloves, Other, Protective Clothing, Respirator

If other protection is used please identify

Accessories needed to maintain a clean room

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position

Please designate the physical requirements of this position Carrying, Driving, Lifting light, Pushing/Pulling, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating)

Describe any of the conditions selected

Position may involve giving demos of instruments and equpiment, prolonged computer work, routine walking between offices and laboratories, and occasional lifting or carrying of light materials (<25 lbs).

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position.

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Distant Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Changes of Temperature, Chemical Hazards, Exposure to Dust, Exposure to Noise, Working Around Machinery

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Primary duties performed in an office setting, with periodic work in laboratories and classrooms to support training activities and equipment access.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Public Job Posting
  • Internal Job Posting
  • Agency Referral
  • Advertisement/Publication
  • Personal Referral
  • Website
  • Other

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference List

Optional Documents

The South Dakota Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Board of Regents will take Aff­irmative Action to ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination. In addition, the Board of Regents fully supports incorporation of non-discrimination and Aff­irmative Action rules and regulations into all of its employment practices. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting the appropriate Human Resources office. Please see the Contact Us section of this webpage for more information.

Notice to all applicants: If you are selected as a finalist, job references and a background check may be conducted.

South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E. Capital Ave, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3455