Grad Student Staff Assistant

How to Apply

Applicants who do not submit the following documents via the applicant portal will not be considered:

• A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached to the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. If you have previously held a staff position, internship, or student organization role tasked with engaging student communities, please highlight these experiences in your cover letter. In your cover letter, please ensure to include responses to the following: 
  • What is your University affiliation and year in graduate studies?
  • How do you understand the value of well-rounded teams in addressing public health issues? 
• Current resume 
• Current transcript (unofficial) 
• If selected as a finalist, we will request contact information (email and phone) for two professional references (one reference speaks to your academic performance/potential, and one reference speaks to your leadership potential)
• If selected as a finalist, we will first confirm that you are in good academic standing, not on fellowship support, and are approved for a 50% appointment

If selected as a finalist, we will schedule an interview with you.

Job Summary

The School of Public Health Dean's Office, Pathways to Public Health Program is seeking one (1) 50% (20 hours/week) Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA) pursuing an MPH, MS, or PhD in Public Health (or another health-related field) who has an interest in student services, and preparing the next generation of public health professionals. 

Pathways to Public Health has a mission to enhance public health literacy in all communities by intentionally increasing access to state-of-the-art public health education, training, and engagement opportunities to, thereby, create a well-positioned cadre of public health-engaged practitioners, researchers, educators, and populace that act as leaders and change agents to achieve health for all. As such, our office is committed to making public health education accessible to anyone who wants to help respond to the world's public health challenges.

Course Description

Responsibilities*

The candidate will assist the Director of Public Health Pathways (PPH) (and, at times, the PPH Program Manager) with administrative and student services tasks, including:

• Assist with writing and revisions of documents and other communications (e.g., website, social media) needed for programmatic support
• Support program evaluation through the development and implementation of assessment tools  (surveys, student interviews, etc.);
• Synthesize information for program reports (as needed)
• Data analysis and interpretation support (as needed)
• Assist with developing materials and modules for, and implementation of, each type of Pathway program and/or workshop (high school, undergraduate, outreach) 
• Working with students around student services, community building, and identifying resources 
• Other duties as assigned by PPH Director and PPH Program Manager.

Required Qualifications*

• Excellent organizational skills, critical thinking skills, attention to detail, prioritization, and follow-through
• Ability to effectively apply feedback protocols for work improvements
• Ability to work collaboratively or independently, as the task requires
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated competency with Microsoft and Google productivity tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation programs
• Familiar with video calling platforms (e.g., Zoom)

Desired Qualifications*

• Master's or Doctoral degree in Public Health or a health-related field
• (Preferred) Familiarity with, and/or involvement in, SPH Pathways to Public Health programs 
• Understanding of the needs of all students for effective learning, including  those from rural areas, first-generation college students, and low-income students
• Experience developing student engagement tools & programming 

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Compensation & Appointment:

Appointment Period: 2025-2026  Academic Year
Estimated FTE: 50% (20 hours per week)
Compensation: This appointment provides tuition, required fees, stipend (at the GEO negotiated GSSA monthly rate), GradCare health insurance, and dental insurance (Option 1).
Employee Evaluation: Employee will be evaluated at the end of each semester to determine adequate progress on goals and tasks. Continued appointment contingent upon satisfactory progress.

Educational Value / Learning Experience:

• Student Services
• Program management skills
• Mentoring skills
• Oral and visual presentation
• Program evaluation
• Workforce development

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position may be emailed to [email protected].

Decision Making Process

Dr. Simone Charles, Director of Pathways to Public Health, and Paula Vinales-Bowman, School of Public Health Pathways to Public Health Program Manager, will review all applicants and determine final selection regarding this hire.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for finalists.
 

Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by June 30, 2025.
 

GEO Contract Information

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.