How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as 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.
Who We Are
At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.
The Center for Ergonomics (C4E) operates within the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE) in the College of Engineering. Our mission is to make workplaces and organizations safe, efficient, productive, and enjoyable. We are dedicated to gaining and sharing a better understanding of how tools, technologies, and work practices affect health and performance and how they can be improved through human-centered design. Our research also advances basic knowledge about people's psychological and physical abilities and limitations.
Job Summary
The Assistant Director provides administrative and programmatic leadership for the Center for Occupational Health and Safety Engineering's continuing education portfolio. This position is responsible for managing the development, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of short courses and outreach initiatives for occupational health and safety professionals, workers, engineers, human resource professionals, managers, and others (including K-12 students). The Assistant Director exercises independent judgment in coordinating complex program activities, developing external partnerships, preparing reports and proposals, and recommending strategies to strengthen program quality, visibility, and sustainability.
The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Continuing Education and Outreach.
Responsibilities*
Continuing Education Program Leadership and Operations - 20%
- Lead the development, planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of continuing education and professional development courses for occupational health and safety professionals.
- Manage course timelines, instructional needs, participant communications, partner coordination, logistics, evaluation processes, and continuous improvement efforts to ensure high-quality program delivery.
Outreach, Marketing, Communications, and External Engagement - 20%
- Develop, implement, and assess outreach strategies, events, and engagement activities designed to expand the Center's visibility, strengthen professional relationships, support enrollment and participation goals, and advance the Center's continuing education mission.
- Contribute to marketing and communications strategy by developing or overseeing promotional materials, course announcements, stakeholder communications, audience-specific outreach campaigns, and related content.
- Represent the Center in university, professional, and external meetings or settings.
Reporting, Data Analysis, Evaluation, and Strategic Recommendations - 15%
- Analyze continuing education, outreach, enrollment, financial, participation, and outcomes data and prepare comprehensive reports for internal leadership, advisors, federal and state agencies, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
- Use data and evaluation results to inform program planning, budget decisions, grant reporting, strategic recommendations, and program improvements based on participant feedback, market trends, professional standards, and stakeholder needs.
Partnership Development, Sponsorships, Proposals, and Compliance Alignment - 25%
- Establish, cultivate, and maintain strategic relationships and alliances with co-sponsors, federal and state agencies, professional organizations, industry partners, academic units, corporate sponsors, and other external stakeholders.
- Identify funding, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities and lead or coordinate the preparation of proposals, sponsorship requests, and related materials. Prepare proposals for potential project sponsors.
- Interpret sponsor, agency, institutional, and university requirements related to continuing education programming, reporting, proposals, outreach activities, and partner engagement; ensure alignment with Center and university procedures.
Professional Service, Subject-Matter Engagement, and Special Projects - 20%
- Manage special projects and contribute to professional service and development activities that enhance the Center's reputation and subject-matter engagement, including manuscript review or preparation, committee participation, review of current research, attendance at professional webinars or conferences, engagement with relevant professional organizations, and other strategic initiatives assigned by the Director.
- Other duties, as assigned.
Required Qualifications*
- Master's degree or higher in occupational safety & health, public health, ergonomics, or a related field.
- Previous experience in occupational safety and/or public health.
- Excellent oral/written communication, interpersonal, administrative, presentation and computer skills are essential, including the ability to communicate with a broad range of people (K-12 students, production workers, and managers).
- Highly motivated and able to work independently.
- Able to set priorities, exercise initiative, work collaboratively and meet deadlines while working on multiple projects.
- Driver's license and ability to have a flexible work schedule. Occasional schedule flexing will be required for morning/evening/weekend events and overnight travel.
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience with event planning.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with local, state, and federal agencies/organizations.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Maternity and Parental Leave
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
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
- Requires extended periods of desk-based work, including sitting and using a computer; the employee may move about as needed to complete work duties.
- Requires occasional travel to worksites and walking through facilities to assess potential workplace safety and ergonomic hazards; may include taking photographs or video recordings to support consultations, assistance, documentation, or research projects.
- Occasionally transports and moves materials and equipment, including audio/visual equipment up to 50 lbs and books or class materials up to 20 lbs, across campus, event venues, classrooms, workplaces, and other locations.
- Occasionally moves throughout buildings and worksites, including ascending/descending stairs and accessing files, equipment, classrooms, event spaces, and meeting locations; may occasionally carry items weighing up to 50 lbs while using stairs.
- Requires regular communication, public speaking, and teaching, including presenting information at events and meetings and communicating with students regarding research, career goals, job opportunities, and professional networking.
- Requires travel to various locations to conduct work, deliver materials, attend events, and support program activities; domestic and international travel may be required.
- May require work outside standard business hours, including early mornings, evenings, nights, and/or weekends.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.