Professional Research Assistant Level 2

Job Summary:

The Center for Health Work and Environment (CHWE) is seeking a part-time (50%FTE) 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 regions 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 Masters 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 haveAMAZINGbenefits and offerexceptional 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% 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 Bachelors 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 should be directed to: Emily Ivanich

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:

$26266 $34516 for 0.50 FTE

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the Universitys 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: 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 .

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 othervaccine 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 addition if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties you must enroll in theoccupational health medical surveillance program.