Project Administrator

New York State Psychiatry Institute; New York (NY); On-site; USD 68,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. seeks a full-time Project Administrator to support the Columbia Lighthouse Project’s mission of public health initiatives, including suicide risk assessment protocols and data management across projects.

The role oversees project operations, travel coordination, training materials, and conference support, with a strong emphasis on program evaluation and data reporting for grant programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 1 year of administrative experience in a complex organization required; or
• Associate's degree and 3 years of administrative experience in a complex organization required; or
• 5+ years of administrative experience in a complex organization required.

Responsibilities

• Support literature reviews and data collection for public health research projects.
• Assist with qualitative and quantitative program evaluation, including data entry and database management.
• Maintain project records, generate reports, and manage the contact management system.

Skills

Administrative experience

Data entry

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

5+ years administrative experience

Job description

Job Title: Project Administrator

Grade: 18

Salary: $67,552-$81,257

The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a full-time Project Administrator position. The Columbia Lighthouse Project at the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc and Columbia University Department of Psychiatry is seeking a full-time Project Administrator to support all activities connected to the Project's mission of implementing broad scale public health initiatives across the globe, with a particular emphasis on implementing suicide risk assessment protocols. The Columbia Lighthouse Project focuses on implementing suicide risk assessments across all public health contexts using the evidence-based Columbia‑Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C‑SSRS). This tool is used as part of a broad‑based public health effort to help individuals, peers, family members, organizations, etc. identify suicide risk and develop appropriate next steps based on that level of risk. The Columbia Lighthouse Project offers technical assistance, training, policy guidance and support for synergistic methods to identify suicide risk seamlessly within the context of existing program efforts.

The Project Administrator will be responsible for the organization and management of the work necessary for the smooth running of the operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties may include but are not limited to:

RESEARCH & PROGRAM EVALUATION

• Conduct literature reviews and data collection to support public health research projects, grant‑funded initiatives, and evidence‑based program development.
• Assist with qualitative and quantitative program evaluation activities, including data entry and database management.
• Review public health literature, government publications, policies, and existing programs to identify emerging trends, best practices, funding opportunities, and implementation strategies.
• Support preparation of grant applications and reports, technical assistance materials, educational resources, policy guidance documents, manuscripts, and presentations.

PROJECT & DATA MANAGEMENT

• Maintain organizational databases, perform data entry, and support the ongoing management of the organization's contact management system.
• Implement and oversee a project/task tracking tool for The Columbia Lighthouse Project's work, tracking incoming requests, team assignments, follow‑ups, outcomes, and all related project data and program partner data.
• Generate reports and maintain accurate project records to support program operations, planning, and internal tracking

TRAVEL & MEETING COORDINATION

• Coordinate scheduling, calendars, and meetings in support of grant program partnerships and related project activities.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and logistics for grant‑funded activities, trainings, meetings, and select program initiatives.
• Prepare and process internal travel authorizations, travel vouchers, and related documentation in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Work flexible hours and travel, as needed, for program events.

CONFERENCES, TRAININGS & OUTREACH MATERIALS

• Collaborate with internal staff, vendors, and event organizers to ensure timely production and delivery of conference and outreach materials.
• Provide post‑training support by responding to participant requests and distributing certificates of participation, presentation materials, and other training resources.
• Attend conferences and events, as needed, to coordinate and staff The Columbia Lighthouse Project exhibit table and support outreach activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and (1) year of administrative experience in a complex organization required or;
• Associate's degree and (3) years of administrative experience in a complex organization required or;
• (5) plus, years of administrative experience in a complex organization required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in psychology, public health, or related field preferred.
• Executive assistant work experience preferred.
• Work experience in higher education, health care, policy or a research organization and demonstrated research/grants experience preferred.

Work Location:

1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032

The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The Research Foundation is a private not‑for‑profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Aff…