Program Specialist (BOSS)

University of New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center invites applications for a term Program Specialist to support K-20+ C2C STEAM‑H pathways statewide. You will coordinate diverse programs, build partnerships, and help prepare grants and reports to ensure student success across New Mexico.

Ideal candidates bring experience in program planning, budget management, and stakeholder collaboration within education or health contexts, plus a track record of serving underrepresented communities.

Qualifications

• Experience planning and executing program goals and curricula.
• Ability to manage budgets and seek funding opportunities.
• Experience with K-12 educational programs and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute Communities to Careers and BOSS programs.
• Liaise with internal/external stakeholders and represent UNM locally and statewide.
• Develop budgets, grant proposals, and fundraising opportunities.
• Provide curriculum guidance and technical support to partners.
• Create educational presentations and training materials.
• Assist with data collection, reporting, and program evaluation.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Communications

Grant writing

Budget management

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Position Summary

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (HSC DEI) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and mission-driven individual to serve as a Program Specialist (BOSS) to support the HSC DEI K-20+ Communities to Careers (C2C) statewide STEAM-H (science, technology, engineering, art, math and health) K-12 pathway programming.

Since 1973, the HSC Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and its partners have developed and implemented a series of highly integrated K-20 programs across New Mexico that prepare underrepresented and under-resourced students for academic success and readiness to enter and graduate from higher education and health professions programs. These long-standing programs have strengthened the University’s impact on the diversity of New Mexico’s health professions workforce and contribute to addressing educational and health equity across the state.

Summary C2C is growing New Mexico’s diverse health care workforce through 13 program models offered at more than 50 locations around the state to over 900 elementary through graduate level participants per year. The Program Specialist will support a portfolio of these academic year and summer programming for elementary through high school students from across New Mexico. A subset of these programs, referred to as BOSS (Building Outstanding STEAM-H Students) focuses on increasing access to STEAM and health career pathways for students from communities that have been historically underrepresented in these fields, including Black and African American students.

The Program Specialist will help cultivate culturally responsive programming, partnerships, and resources that support student success and strengthen engagement with these communities.

This position requires experience with program recruitment, planning, development, implementation and leadership within educational or health care environments, and familiarity with the student populations that are the focus of the programs. The Program Specialist will represent the Communities to Careers team within and outside the University with community-based partnerships and outreach events, and will assist with preparing program and grant summary reports for internal and external stakeholders. This is a term position through June 30, 2027, contingent upon funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans and coordinates the development, implementation, and execution of programs, special projects, and other initiatives designed to achieve the overall mission, goals and objectives of Communities to Careers and the BOSS programs.
• Oversees and administers all facets of the day‑to‑day operations of a series of programs within HSC DEI relating to Communities to Careers programs and all related activities.
• Serves as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders on all matters related to Communities to Careers program activities; represents UNM with respect to program recruitment and activities on a local, regional, statewide, and/or national level.
• Assists with planning, developing, and implementing strategies for efficient use of program budgets and identifying and generating funding and/or resource opportunities for program activities, to include development of grant and other fundraising proposals.
• Provides and coordinates the provision of technical guidance and consultation on the program frameworks and curriculum with community, statewide and internal partners.
• Creates, produces, and delivers a wide range of promotional, educational, and informational presentations, classes/workshops, and/or resource materials related to the Communities to Careers program activities and initiatives that further student recruitment and partnership development.
• Supports the collection, compilation and basic analysis of program activity information and data, and assists with the development, writing, and presentation of comprehensive narrative program reports for institutional and funder requirements.
• Advises on operating goals and objectives for the Communities to Careers programs; identifies opportunities to enhance program operations in order to achieve greater efficiencies and effectiveness and to fulfill program objectives as outlined within grants.
• May supervise and/or lead staff and/or student employees, as assigned.
• May participate in special projects and other related initiatives designed to achieve the overall mission, goals and objectives of the HSC DEI pathway programs.
• May serve as Campus Security Authority as outlined by the Clery Act.
• Performs miscellaneous job‑related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience conducting all phases of the program planning and execution process (e.g., developing program goals and objectives, curriculum development, recruitment and enrolment of participants, student advisement, program assessment, and outcomes reporting).
• Experience with educational and career pipeline/pathway programs for elementary through high school students.
• Familiarity with STEAM and health career pathways.
• Experience overseeing multiple, complex tasks and meeting deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience in delivering presentations and facilitating instruction in professional and educational settings.
• Experience developing, implementing, or supporting educational, workforce, health, or community‑based programs that serve Black, African American, and other historically underrepresented populations in STEAM‑H fields.
• Experience with grant‑related programs and projects.
• Experience managing program budgets.
• Experience with project management.
• Ability to communicate in languages commonly spoken in New Mexico.

Conditions of Employment

• 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, the 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.

Benefits

This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additionally, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs.

Veteran Preference

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.

EEO Statement

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 to 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.