Program Coordinator I

Overview

The starting pay range for this position is $33.80 to $53.93 per hour depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

 

This position is scheduled to close on 8/31/2026 at 11:00 am (PST) and is open to internal and external candidates.

 

Researchers in the San Diego State University Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and the School of Public Health (via the San Diego State University Research Foundation) is seeking a part-time Administrative Program Coordinator (20 hours/week) to support the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) External Scientific Peer Review Program (ESPR). All CalEPA organizations are required under state law to obtain an external scientific peer review when proposing a rule that contains a scientific element or is based in science. The ESPR provides CalEPA organization employees the resources and services necessary to meet this statutory requirement during the rulemaking process. The California State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) oversees and administers the ESPR on behalf of CalEPA organizations. SDSURF will implement the ESPR as a contractor to the Water Board from July 1, 2026 until July 1 2031. SDSURF’s responsibilities as a contractor include identifying highly qualified external experts to perform impartial, independent peer reviews when requested by a CalEPA organization.

 

Under general supervision, the Administrative Program Coordinator will provide high-level administrative, operational, and coordination support for a statewide external scientific peer review program conducted under agreement with CalEPA and the State Water Resources Control Board. This position will support the Principal Investigators, Peer Review Program Advisors, internal and external peer reviewers, and SDSU Research Foundation administrative staff in carrying out contract deliverables. The position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, professionalism, discretion, and the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive tasks in a confidential environment.

 

The Administrative Program Coordinator will coordinate communications, maintain project files and tracking systems, support peer reviewer candidate documentation, assist with conflict-of-interest (COI) and subcontracting workflows, prepare meeting summaries and annual summaries, and help ensure that deliverables are completed on schedule and in compliance with applicable agreement requirements.

Responsibilities

The Administrative Program Coordinator is responsible for the following tasks (subject to minor variation depending on project needs):

 

PROGRAM COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT — 35%

• Serves as a central administrative point of support for the CalEPA External Scientific Peer Review Program.
• Coordinates routine communications among SDSURF project personnel and subcontractors, including the Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigators, Peer Review Program Advisors, internal and external contracted peer reviewers, and the State Water Resources Control Board’s Program contacts.
• Tracks incoming communications from the Program and supports timely acknowledgment of receipt within required contract timelines.
• Schedules and supports project meetings, prepares agendas as needed, and drafts written meeting summaries identifying decisions, next steps, and key procedural or substantive points.
• Maintains internal tracking tools for peer review requests, deadlines, deliverables, reviewer status, COI documentation, subcontract status, and completed peer reviews.
• Assists with preparation of written annual summaries of work completed, peer reviewers used, and project activity during the prior state fiscal year.
• Supports coordination of project workflows during regular business hours and helps ensure project activities and deliverables are completed and submitted on time.

PEER REVIEW PROCESS SUPPORT — 30%

• Assists the project team in preparing peer review request letters, compiling review materials, and collecting information and related documentation for peer reviewer candidates.
• Supports the identification and documentation process for peer reviewer candidates, including collection and organization of contact information, institutional affiliations, titles, curriculum vitae, summaries of expertise, and COI forms.
• Helps maintain a table for each review request that documents how peer reviewer candidates’ areas of expertise align with the materials to be reviewed.
• Coordinates administrative communications with peer reviewer candidates and approved peer reviewers, including sending approved directions, tracking responses, and supporting the timely completion of reviews.
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