Professional Research Assistant Level 2

Job Summary:

The Center for Health, Work, and Environment (CHWE) is seeking a part-time (50%25FTE)  Professional Research Assistant (PRA) – Level  2 position. This position will  serve as an essential liaison and trusted bridge between the Mountain West Hub research team and local residents in Alamosa, CO. As part of a landmark clean air and health resilience study, the PRA is responsible for conducting community-based recruitment, securing informed consent, conducting structured home visits, placing indoor air filtration units, and collecting longitudinal health and environmental metrics across participating households.

Community Outreach & Recruitment

·         Local Outreach & Engagement: Conduct direct outreach across Alamosa County to engage residents in the Clean Air Study. Represent the study at community meetings, local events, and public hubs to build awareness and trust.

·         Participant Recruitment Waves: Reach out to households identified through randomized address sampling and community sign-up lists, maintaining respectful, multi-modal contact attempts (phone, in-person, email).

·         Recruitment Tracking: Maintain accurate, real-time records of all participant contact attempts, eligibility screenings, and recruitment dispositions using REDCap and shared tracking logs.

Informed Consent & Participant Onboarding

·         Study Explanation & Screening: Clearly explain study objectives, household eligibility criteria (year-round SLV residence, no existing air cleaner, adult 18+ household consent), and participation benefits ($200 incentive + free air filter).

·         Consent Administration: Guide participants through the informed consent process (via phone, Zoom link, or in person) and collect child assents during initial visits in accordance with IRB protocols.

Home Visits & Environmental / Health Data Collection

·         In-Home Monitoring & Equipment Setup: Perform initial, quarterly/midpoint, and endpoint home visits to measure indoor air quality, record room dimensions, and set up DIY box-fan air cleaners (DIYacs) and UPAS air quality monitors.

·         Health Measurement Collection: Collect baseline and follow-up clinical and survey measures, including resting blood pressure, lung function testing (spirometry/PEF), survey responses, and urine sample coordination for designated sub-cohorts.

·         Equipment Maintenance & Inspection: Inspect air filter units and sensors during routine visits, ensuring proper placement in participant bedrooms or primary living areas and supplying replacement filters as needed.

Acute Air Quality Event & Longitudinal Support

·         Poor Air Quality Event Follow-Up: Assist participants during text-alerted poor air quality events (wildfire smoke or dust events) by supporting short 3-day daily surveys and lung function measurements.

·         Ongoing Participant Support: Serve as the primary local point of contact for participating Alamosa households, delivering plain-language air quality/health results summaries and addressing participant questions.

Training, Logistics & Compliance

·         Required Study Trainings: Complete mandatory pre-study onboarding, including CITI Human Subjects Training, REDCap data collection training, recruitment protocol review, and the 8-hour Full Study Training.

·         Team Meetings & Administrative Reporting: Participate in bi-weekly (and subsequent monthly) study team check-ins, coordinate with local couriers for sample/hardware handoffs, and submit monthly invoices and mileage logs to the CN Manager.

Work Location:

Remote – this role is eligible to work remotely, but the employee must be in the United States.

Why Join Us:

The Colorado School of Public Health is a collaborative endeavor involving the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz), Colorado State University (CSU), and the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). The Colorado School of Public Health is the first and only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain Region, attracting top-tier faculty and students from across the country and providing vital contributions towards ensuring our region’s health and well-being. Collaboratively formed in 2008 by CU Anschutz, CSU, and UNC, the Colorado School of Public Health provides education programs, including a Master’s concentration in global health, innovative research that places the School in the top 20 in NIH funding among Schools of Public Health, and community service that addresses public health issues including chronic disease, healthcare access, climate, and environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, population mental health, ONE HEALTH and injuries for the Rocky Mountain region, nationally and globally.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

·         Medical: Multiple plan options

·         Dental: Multiple plan options

·         Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

·         Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay

·         Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year (based on percentage of time)

·         Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

·         Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

·         Holiday Days: 11/year

·         Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

·         ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

·         Must have Bachelor’s degree and 1+ year experience, community health, research coordination, or public service outreach, preferably in rural health initiatives

·         Bilingual in English and Spanish

·         Basic computer and mobile technology literacy (e.g., using smartphones, tablets, Zoom, Google Sheets, and web-based survey software like REDCap).

·         Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Conditions of Employment

Must be available to work year-round in Alamosa, CO, and have the ability to travel for local home visits across Alamosa County. Flexible work schedule requiring some evening and weekend hours to accommodate participant home visit availability.

Preferred Qualifications:

·         Community Health / Outreach Experience: Prior experience working as a Community Health Worker (CHW), Promotora, patient navigator, research assistant, or community outreach worker in rural health or environmental health programs.

·         Established Local Networks: Established relationships with local community organizations, clinics, schools, agricultural groups, or public hubs in Alamosa and the San Luis Valley.

·         Field Data Collection Experience: Prior experience conducting structured home visits, administering surveys, or collecting basic health measurements (e.g., resting blood pressure or peak flow lung function)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

·         Community Dynamics: Deep familiarity with local geography, rural cultural norms, and community resources in Alamosa County and surrounding Valley communities.

·         Interpersonal & Cultural Responsiveness: Strong active listening and trust-building skills; ability to communicate warmly and respectfully with varied rural populations.

·         Technical & Equipment Handling: Practical aptitude to set up, demonstrate, and inspect household air cleaning hardware (DIY box-fan air cleaners / DIYacs) and air quality monitoring devices (UPAS units).

·         Digital & Survey Literacy: Proficiency in using smartphones, tablets, or computers for field data collection, including entering survey responses into REDCap, updating Google Sheets tracking logs, and participating in Zoom team check-ins.

·         Organizational & Outreach Management: Strong time management skills to schedule home visits, track up to 5 contact attempts per household, and maintain accurate activity logs.

·         Plain Language Communication: Ability to translate study procedures, health results, and air quality concepts into clear, accessible, jargon-free language.

·         Field Autonomy & Collaboration: Ability to work independently during local home visits while maintaining consistent communication with the research leadership.

·         Physical & Equipment Capability: Ability to carry, transport, and assemble light study hardware (such as box fans, filters, and monitors) into participant homes.

·         Adaptability & De-escalation: Ability to respond supportively during acute poor air quality alerts and handle participant questions or hesitations with empathy and patience.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.    A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2.    Curriculum vitae / Resume

3.    Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Questions should be directed to: Emily Ivanich, Emily.ivanich@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by 10/5/2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

$26,266 – $34,516 for 0.50 FTE

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.