The Colorado National Wastewater Surveillance System Center of Excellence (CO NWSS CoE) is a collaboration between the University of Denver (DU) and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Wastewater surveillance is a key public health tool providing notification of increasing disease trends, especially when combined with existing disease surveillance systems. As a National Center of Excellence, we serve to foster scientific inquiry and we provide industry-leading expertise and guidance in the field of wastewater surveillance. Our team of nationally recognized experts in multi-disciplinary fields seeks to grow and develop this critical public health tool.

Position Summary

Manages complex projects in wastewater-based epidemiology requiring technical expertise in public health, agile project management, and cross-sector collaboration. Champions all assigned projects by taking full ownership of outcomes, delivering results that meet or exceed expectations, and continuously evolving work based on new evidence and emerging needs. Leads diverse project teams and coordinates across internal and external partners to ensure all project deliverables are completed on time and within budget.

Essential Functions

Project Management (60%)

• Apply agile project management methodology to support flexible, responsive workflows aligned with evolving public health priorities, emerging pathogens of interest, and stakeholder input.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation (e.g., deliverable status reports, forms, checklists) that supports clear communication and accountability.
• Coordinate regularly with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to:
  • Develop and revise program goals and annual budgets that align with shared priorities and funding constraints.
  • Assign appropriate team members to key deliverables and provide clear expectations.
  • Monitor and ensure timely completion of milestones and deliverables that meet quality standards.
  • Identify and pursue unique contributions the CO NWSS CoE can make to national NWSS efforts led by CDC.
  • Provide regular status updates to CDPHE and the Principal Investigator; escalate risks and roadblocks early and appropriately.
  • Proactively identify potential delays or issues and guide team members toward timely resolution.
  • Translate high-level innovation goals from the Principal Investigator into actionable plans and operational outcomes.

Partner Engagement (10%)

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships across DU and with external stakeholders to foster innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community involvement.
• Maintain strong, cooperative relationships with CDPHE leadership through frequent communication and shared decision making.
• Coordinate all internal and external resources—personnel, materials, and vendors—to ensure successful project execution.

Team Management (10%)

• Recruit, hire, and establish performance expectations for new team members.
• Meet with individual staff and functional teams weekly to ensure engagement, alignment, and support.
• Solicit and integrate team feedback; foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Supervise all staff to ensure compliance with time reporting and grant requirements from both DU and CDPHE.

Deliverable Fulfillment (10%)

• Maintain and regularly update the NWSS CoE website.
• Monitor site performance, including SEO and accessibility, recommend and implement improvements to enhance visibility and inclusivity.

Event Coordination

• Plan and execute the annual in-person Advisory Board meeting, including venue, catering, and tech needs.
• Coordinate additional complex events such as webinars and virtual town halls with DU IT and other partners.

Business Administration (5%)

• Monitor and track spending against project budgets; reallocate resources strategically as needs shift.
• Identify and communicate potential budget risks to the PI and CDPHE; propose data-informed solutions.
• Submit monthly invoicing documentation to DU’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
• Resolve invoicing discrepancies with CDPHE and vendors efficiently.
• Manage all administrative aspects of personnel actions including hiring, separation, pay changes, and timesheet alignment with grant accounts.
• Guide team purchasing decisions to ensure proper budget allocations.
• Ensure timely payments to faculty, advisory board members, and other contributors.

Other Duties (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively and diplomatically with a variety of stakeholders in person, by phone, through written project materials, and by email.
• Ability to draft narrative reports and correspondence.
• Time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to be independently motivated to identify, research, and propose approaches to accomplish goals.
• Ability to take initiative to learn and share information.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate as needed.
• Ability to approach work with diverse communities with respect and humility as a listener and learner.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; Associates degree and/or work experience related to the position can be substituted on a year for year basis
• 3 or more years of experience coordinating and managing projects in a collaborative team environment.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office including significant experience in content development, formatting, editing, and creating aesthetic visual products and presentations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with various stakeholders on campus including Information Technology, Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety and laboratories.
• Experience using project management software such as Teamwork, Microsoft Teams, etc.
• Extensive knowledge of business processes and procedures in a higher education environment.

Working Environment

• Work in distributed teams in a remote work environment
• Occasional travel required, including twice yearly in-person meetings in Denver

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period
• Occasional travel required for projects

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This is a remote position. 

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 31, 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 12.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $73,000- $81,500.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.