Program Specialist, Native Health Education

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah seeks a Native Health Education Specialist to design and implement coordinated educational pathways for Native communities, strengthening partnerships with Tribal Nations across Utah and the Mountain West.

The role focuses on strategic planning, program development, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure culturally grounded, sustainable initiatives aligned with university priorities. Exempt, full‑time position located on campus in Salt Lake City.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.
• Career-Level position in the General Professional track.
• Experience with community engagement focused on Indigenous education and health, or related area preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans for Native health education and tribal engagement across pathways and community partnerships.
• Lead pathway mapping across learner continuum from K–12 to medical education to support Native communities.
• Coordinate scholarships, stipends, travel support, and resources to reduce barriers to participation.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (6 years experience)

Master’s degree or equivalent (4 years experience)

Job description

Working Title: Native Health Education Specialist

Standard Hours per Week: 40

Full Time or Part Time?: Full Time

Shift: Day

Work Schedule Summary: Monday – Friday, business hours. This position is located on the U Health campu in Salt Lake City. Occasional weekend and evening hours with flex time. This is an exempt position, so schedule may periodically change and require working evenings, weekends, as well as some travel.

VP Area: U of U Health - Academics

Department: 01474 - SOM Ofc of Acad Culture&Comm

Location: Campus

City: Salt Lake City, UT

Pay Rate Range: $47,000-$57,000/annually

Job Summary: This position leads the design and implementation of a coordinated vision to strengthen educational pathways for members of federally-recognized tribes and learners committed to Native health education, while advancing long-term, reciprocal partnerships with Tribal Nations and Native-serving communities across Utah and the Mountain West.

This Program Specialist of Native Health Education is responsible for strategic planning, program development, pathway mapping, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure Native health-related programs, Tribal engagement efforts, pathway programming, and partnerships are aligned, sustainable, and responsive to institutional and community priorities.

Program Specialists

Design and implement one or more programs for the university that carry out the organization’s mission. Set goals for each program. Determine benchmarks for successful and effective programs that achieve intended goals. Ensure that the programs and services provided reflect the needs and expectations of the community. Collect feedback from members, volunteers, and staff to improve future programs/services. Responsibilities may include fundraising, budgeting, and community outreach for assigned program(s). May manage special events that publicize the organization and its programs to the community.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities: Role Specific:

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve strategic plans for Native health education, Tribal engagement, pathway initiatives, outreach programs, and culturally responsive educational programming. Establish program goals, timelines, success measures, and resource priorities. Identify and advise leadership on opportunities for program growth, expanded learner support, partnership development, emerging needs, and funding priorities. Ensure Native health education initiatives and partnerships reflect Indigenous knowledge, honor Tribal sovereignty and protocols, and are guided by community-defined priorities and culturally grounded approaches. Lead pathway mapping across the learner continuum to identify strengths, gaps, overlap, and opportunities for growth in outreach, recruitment, admissions, learner support, and community engagement. Develop and oversee pathway programs that support K–12, pre‑medical, medical student, trainee, and learners committed to Native health, Native education, and/or clinical practice with Native‑serving communities. Advance recruitment, readiness, retention, and workforce development strategies that support learners committed to Native health and education. Identify, coordinate, and advance scholarships, stipends, travel support, and other resources that reduce barriers to participation and advancement for eligible students and learners engaged in Native health education, pathway programs, and related professional development opportunities. Develop and sustain mentor and partner networks that strengthen belonging, professional identity development, and long‑term learner success. Build, cultivate, and sustain respectful partnerships with Tribal Nations, Native‑serving organizations, community partners, and university collaborators. Lead community‑engaged programming on and off campus, including outreach visits, workshops, convenings, cultural events, and health‑related activities. Coordinate signature programs and events that strengthen relationships, visibility, cultural connection, and educational opportunity. Represent the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine on committees, planning groups, conferences, and collaborative initiatives that advance Native health education, Tribal engagement, and community‑engaged priorities. Develop and implement assessment plans to track participation, engagement, learner outcomes, program impact, and progress toward strategic goals. Develop and maintain systems for program data, partnership activity, annual reporting metrics, and continuous improvement. Analyze data and evaluation findings to identify trends, inform program improvement, strengthen accountability, and support long‑term sustainability and impact. Develop reports, presentations, summaries, and grant‑related materials for leadership, partners, and institutional reporting.

Program Specialists, III Design and implement one or more programs for the university that carry out the organization’s mission. Set goals for each program. Determine benchmarks for successful and effective programs that achieve intended goals. Ensure that the programs and services provided reflect the needs and expectations of the community. Collect feedback from members, volunteers, and staff to improve future programs/services. Responsibilities may include fundraising, budgeting, and community outreach for assigned program(s). May manage special events that publicize the organization and its programs to the community. Considered highly skilled and proficient in discipline. Conducts complex, important work under minimal supervision and with wide latitude for independent judgment. Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience. This is a Career‑Level position in the General Professional track. Job Code: P23713 Grade: P15

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Program Specialists, III: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

• Experience with community engagement focused on Indigenous education and health, or related area preferred. Demonstrated expertise in Native health systems and Tribal Sovereignty. Experience in academic program development or health professions education.
• Experience working in partnership with Tribal Nations and/or Urban Indian organizations.
• Strong relationship‑building and strategic leadership skills.