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Job Description
Job Title:
Graduate Assistant for the Department of Public Health and Health Sciences.
Full or Part Time:
Part time
Hours:
20
Exempt:
No Supervisory Org:
Public Health and Health Sciences (JM-SE)
Job Description:
JOB TITLE
Graduate Assistant for the Department of Public Health and Health Sciences.
DEPARTMENT
Public Health and Health Sciences WAGE:
$15.52
JOB SUMMARY:
At Saginaw Valley State University, the Department of Public Health and Health Sciences is committed to advancing public health, healthcare leadership, and community well-being through applied learning, research, and professional collaboration. The Department seeks to host one Graduate Assistant (GA) to support research initiatives and programmatic needs across the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Health Administration (MHA) programs. This position is designed to enhance faculty research productivity while supporting accreditation, assessment, and program development efforts. This position provides hands-on experience in public health and health administration research, data management, program assessment, and higher education operations. The Graduate Assistant will contribute to faculty research projects, accreditation activities, assessment initiatives, and grant development while developing professional skills in research methodology, collaboration, communication, and program evaluation. This appointment is for a maximum of two calendar years. Work must include in-person hours during standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM), with some flexibility in scheduling. Graduate Assistants are required to work a minimum of 10 hours per week. During the fall and winter semesters, work hours may not exceed 24 hours per week. During the spring and summer semesters, Graduate Assistants may work up to, but not exceed, 40 hours per week.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist faculty with ongoing and developing research projects related to public health and health administration. Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and support scholarly research activities. Coordinate research activities, project timelines, and related documentation. Support Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, compliance processes, and research protocols. Perform data collection, entry, cleaning, organization, and statistical analysis activities. Assist with preparation of research reports, conference materials, scholarly presentations, and manuscripts for publication. Contribute to faculty and student grant writing efforts and proposal development. Assist with accreditation-related activities, including CEPH documentation, reporting, and program review processes. Support program assessment initiatives through data tracking, analysis, reporting, and continuous quality improvement activities. Assist with departmental projects, strategic initiatives, and program development efforts across the MPH and MHA programs. Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and community partners on research and programmatic initiatives. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling research, student, and university information. Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
General supervision is received from the Chair of the MPH program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in a related field. Currently admitted to a graduate program at SVSU or eligible and intending to apply upon accepting the offer. Graduate programs qualifying for this position include the Master of Public Health (MPH) or Master of Health Administration/Public Health (MHA/MPH). Foundational understanding of research design and methodology. Strong academic writing, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, students, and community partners. Experience with or willingness to learn statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS). Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly. Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community. Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism. Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Prior experience with research, assessment, or data analysis. Coursework or experience in grant writing. Familiarity with accreditation, program assessment, or continuous quality improvement processes. Experience with statistical analysis software or research databases. Experience working in healthcare, public health, research, or higher education environments.
TUITION ELIGIBILITY & TAX IMPLICATIONS
Graduate Assistantships include a tuition and fee waiver of up to 12 credit hours per semester (maximum 30 per academic year), funded by the SVSU central budget. Full-time enrollment (9 credits or more) is required in the Fall and Winter semesters, with minimal exceptions available. Per IRS regulations, tuition waivers may be considered taxable income. Amounts exceeding $5,250 annually are generally taxable and will be included in compensation. Employees should consult a tax advisor for guidance.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions. All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan. This position is an on-campus position and does not qualify for remote work. The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.
About SVSU:
Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a "Great College to Work For" for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024). SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation. SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students' performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels. SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed. More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website , http://www.svsu.edu .
