Program Specialist, AI & Emerging Technologies

Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah’s Academic and Professional Programs in Continuing Education seeks an innovative Program Specialist for AI and Emerging Technologies to expand applied AI education for adults and campus partners.

Reporting to the Senior Director, this role designs and delivers practical AI learning experiences, translating evolving AI tech into relevant offerings that advance institutional objectives and workforce capability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (computer science, information systems, education, business, instructional design, or related discipline).
• Three or more years of experience designing, developing, and delivering professional education, workforce training, higher education instruction, or corporate learning for adult learners.
• Demonstrated experience using generative AI technologies (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot) and applying AI tools in professional or educational settings.
• Experience teaching AI, digital transformation, technology, data, or related workforce development topics.
• Experience designing curriculum, workshops, and customized learning solutions for organizations, employers, or other stakeholder groups.
• Experience developing and delivering engaging learning experiences in online, hybrid, and in-person formats.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical, accessible learning experiences for diverse audiences.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external partners to assess learning needs, develop educational solutions, and build productive relationships.
• Knowledge of responsible AI practices, including privacy, security, governance, and ethical considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to learn emerging technologies quickly, adapt to a rapidly evolving AI landscape, and continuously improve educational offerings.

Responsibilities

• Designing and delivering AI workshops, courses and customized training in online, hybrid, and in-person formats.
• Delivering applied instruction in topics such as generative AI, prompt engineering, AI literacy, responsible AI use, workflow automation, and emerging workplace applications.
• Developing, evaluating, and continuously improving AI curriculum using learner, employer, and market feedback.
• Expanding the AI at Work Micro-credential and developing new offerings aligned with workforce needs.
• Collaborating with University departments, businesses, government agencies, and healthcare organizations to design customized AI education.
• Partnering across Academic and Professional Programs to identify opportunities, expand partnerships, and integrate AI into offerings.
• Monitoring AI technologies, workforce trends, and competitive landscape to keep programming relevant and ethically grounded.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Three+ years designing, developing, and delivering professional education for adult learners

Experience teaching AI, digital transformation, technology, or related workforce development topics

Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills

Experience collaborating with internal and external partners

Knowledge of responsible AI practices (privacy, security, governance, ethics)

Demonstrated ability to learn emerging technologies quickly

Job description

Details

Open Date 08/24/2026

Requisition Number PRN46007B

Job Title PS Academic Program Manager

Working Title Program Specialist, AI & Emerging Technologies

Career Progression Track E

FLSA Code Executive

Patient Sensitive Job Code? Yes

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with some evening hours as needed

VP Area Academic Affairs

Department 02202 - UCL Academic/Professionl Prgms

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $75,000-$84,250

Close Date 11/24/2026

Job Summary

Academic and Professional Programs ( APP ) at the University of Utah seeks an innovative and collaborative Program Specialist for AI and Emerging Technologies to expand the University’s portfolio of applied education for adult learners, campus partners, and organizations across Utah.

Reporting to the Senior Director of APP , this position designs, develops, and delivers practical, accessible AI learning experiences that help professionals and organizations apply emerging AI technologies responsibly and effectively. Working across academic and professional offerings, campus partnerships, and custom and private training, this program specialist translates rapidly evolving AI technologies into relevant educational experiences that build institutional capability, support economic and workforce development, and advance the University’s continuing education mission.

This is an exciting opportunity for an educator who enjoys designing innovative learning experiences, teaching, collaborating across disciplines, and helping shape the future of AI and emerging technologies education at the University of Utah.

Why Join Academic and Professional Programs in Continuing Education?

Academic and Professional Programs in Continuing Education connects learners with education that advances careers, strengthens organizations, and supports continuing education. As AI continues to transform every industry, this position offers a unique opportunity to shape how the University of Utah prepares professionals, employees, and organizations for the future of work.

We encourage you to apply if you are:

• Curious about emerging technologies and committed to continuous learning.
• Entrepreneurial and comfortable building new programs from concept to launch.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented across academic and external partners.
• Learner-centered, practical, and committed to making AI and emerging technologies useful and accessible.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and adapting as technologies evolve.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct needs assessments with employers and campus partners to identify emerging workforce needs and translate those needs into new educational offerings.
• Design and teach AI workshops, courses and customized training in online, hybrid, and in-person formats.
• Deliver applied instruction in topics such as generative AI, prompt engineering, AI literacy, responsible AI use, workflow automation, and emerging workplace applications.
• Develop, evaluate, and continuously improve AI curriculum using learner, employer, and market feedback to ensure programs remain relevant and scalable.
• Expand the AI at Work Micro-credential and develop new offerings aligned with workforce needs in areas such as healthcare, leadership, business, project management, and higher education.
• Partner with University departments, businesses, government agencies, and healthcare organizations to assess needs and design customized AI education that advances organizational goals and workforce capability.
• Collaborate across Academic and Professional Programs—including Custom and Private Training—to identify opportunities, expand organizational partnerships, and integrate AI into existing educational offerings.
• Monitor AI technologies, workforce trends, and the competitive landscape to ensure University programming remains relevant, distinctive, ethically grounded, and aligned with institutional priorities.

What You’ll Help Build

During the first one to three years, the Instructor of AI will help:

• Sustain, expand, and continuously refine the AI at Work Micro-credential.
• Develop new applied AI courses and programs in high-demand workforce sectors.
• Grow AI as a signature capability within APP’s Custom Training portfolio.
• Strengthen partnerships across the University and with employers to position Academic and Professional Programs as a trusted resource for practical AI education—for campus, industry, and community partners.

Teaching, Facilitation, Curriculum Design – 50%

Designing and updating courses, delivering courses and workshops, developing instructional materials

Consulting and Custom Training Development – 25%

Needs assessment, organizational consulting, employer engagement

Collaboration, Partnership Development, and Strategic Initiatives – 25%

Working with APP teams, campus departments, program managers, SMEs, strategic planning, representing APP , identifying opportunities

Across all responsibilities:

Maintain expertise in AI technologies, instructional practices, and workforce trends through ongoing research, professional learning, and engagement with emerging tools.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (computer science, information systems, education, business, instructional design, or a related discipline), or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Three or more years of experience designing, developing, and delivering professional education, workforce training, higher education instruction, or corporate learning for adult learners.

Demonstrated experience using generative AI technologies (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot) and applying AI tools in professional or educational settings.

Experience teaching AI, digital transformation, technology, data, or related workforce development topics.

• Experience designing curriculum, workshops, and customized learning solutions for organizations, employers, or other stakeholder groups.
• Experience developing and delivering engaging learning experiences in online, hybrid, and in-person formats.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical, accessible learning experiences for diverse audiences.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external partners to assess learning needs, develop educational solutions, and build productive relationships.
• Knowledge of responsible AI practices, including privacy, security, governance, and ethical considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to learn emerging technologies quickly, adapt to a rapidly evolving AI landscape, and continuously improve educational offerings.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the:University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

**https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/**This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.