Outdoor Program Coordinator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

• This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after August 21, 2026.
• The salary for this position is $5,858.67 - $9,347.58 depending upon qualifications and internal equities and is non-negotiable.
• This position works an on-site schedule.
• Please note that due to the potential for the contamination of study samples, the incumbent must be able to confirm that they are not exposed to active use or residue from tobacco, electronic cigarettes, oral nicotine, or cannabis.

San Diego State University’s Center for Tobacco and the Environment (CTE), co-directed by Georg E. Matt, PhD, and Thomas Novotny, MD, MPH, is an extramurally funded center established in 2022. CTE’s mission is to prevent, reduce, and eliminate the toxic legacy of environmental pollution and harm to human health caused by decades of commercial tobacco sales and use. CTE is an open, community-engaged, inter- and transdisciplinary research center that serves the diverse communities affected by the environmental impacts of commercial tobacco. CTE provides an organizational platform for the next generation of research that seeks solutions to environmental contamination and human exposure resulting from decades of tobacco use, and contributes to California’s comprehensive policy initiatives to end commercial tobacco sales and use by 2035.

CTE is home to a well-established group of multi-disciplinary scholars from different colleges at SDSU, including Sciences, Health and Human Services, Arts & Letters, and Professional Studies & Fine Arts, whose work focuses on the environmental impacts of commercial tobacco use. Researchers at CTE conduct multiple extramurally funded research projects focused on tobacco and the indoor and outdoor environment, including the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center and the Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment. Established in 2019, the mission of the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center is to disseminate thirdhand smoke-related information to the general public, stakeholders, and tobacco control advocates. The Resource Center’s interactive website is the primary dissemination channel, supported by a robust social media presence (i.e., Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram), webinars, and print material such as newsletter articles and press releases. The Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment, established in 2023, has two main policy goals: (1) reduce tobacco product waste to protect the environment from microplastics pollution and chemical leaching and (2) protect indoor environments from thirdhand smoke residue. Both centers are funded by California’s Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program.

Under the general direction of CTE’s Director and Co-Directors, the Program Coordinator II will provide in-person day-to-day oversight of Center activities, including but not limited to operations, purchasing, and budgeting; planning, implementing, and disseminating research projects; supervision of staff and interns; community outreach and education; and preparing reports for policymakers and funders.

Operations: 40%

• Oversee day-to-day operations of CTE, including Policy Research Center and the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center.
• Participate/prepare reports for recurring administrative team meetings.
• Run regular staff meetings.
• Provide supervision of direct reports and interns.
• Oversee operations of (e.g., timelines, resources, deliverables) of Center projects including rapid response research projects and DIY thirdhand smoke testing services.
• Support administration of expenses, purchases, and other back-office duties.
• Coordinate website, social media, and other communication operations.
• Support development and tracking of annual budgets.

Planning: 30%

• Oversee planning for and execution of all rapid response research projects, pilot projects, educational programming, community events, dissemination, outreach, resources, and other activities, including DIY testing.
• Oversee community outreach and engagement, including dissemination of results to relevant policy-makers and other stakeholders.
• Oversee tracking of grant milestones and goals.

Program Administration: 20%

• Plan and coordinate recurring events such as the Community Advisory Board and Scientific Advisory Committee.
• Plan and coordinate community events such as educational webinars and town hall meetings with policymakers.
• Oversee other program planning necessary for the implementation of research projects, such as IRB applications and preparation of community meetings.

Other Duties as Assigned:10%

• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Center Director.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training and administration work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.
• Six years of progressively responsible experience in office or administrative environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s, DPH, or PhD in relevant field (e.g., psychology, public or environmental health).
• Knowledge of environmental and health harms of commercial tobacco.
• Experience in tobacco prevention or advocacy.
• Experience running multiple research, evaluation, or service projects.

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.