Program Specialist

The Program Specialist plans, manages, and coordinates activities for the statewide New Mexico Immunization Coalition (NMIC). This position oversees the implementation of immunization-related programs, events, and outreach initiatives in collaboration with the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), UNM Health Sciences Center partners, community organizations, and healthcare providers.

The Program Specialist is responsible for coordinating meetings, trainings, and large-scale events; developing and managing outreach and educational materials; supporting grant- and contract-funded activities; and serving as a key liaison between NMIC and internal and external stakeholders, with support from the Senior Program Manager and OCH administrative team and leadership. The position requires strong organizational, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, and regularly represents NMIC in professional and public settings. Knowledge of immunization and vaccine issues, news, and science is key.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Planning, Coordination, and Operations

Plan, coordinate, and manage NMIC programs, initiatives, and special projects aligned with statewide immunization goals.

Oversee day-to-day operations of coalition activities, ensuring compliance with UNM policies and NMDOH contractual requirements.

Coordinate quarterly and annual meetings, including NMIC Steering Committee meetings, IPAC meetings, NMDOH Immunization Coordinators meetings (by public health region), webinars, and annual immunization trainings.

Organize NMICs Annual Meeting and support planning for the annual Vaccine Advisory Special Team (VAST) meeting related to school vaccine requirements.

Meeting, Training, and Event Management

Plan and coordinate in-person and virtual meetings, trainings, and events, including agenda development, speaker recruitment, travel coordination, honoraria, and venue logistics.

Submit and manage Continuing Medical Education (CME) applications for NMIC webinars and trainings.

Coordinate contracts, food services, materials, and on-site logistics in accordance with UNM administrative and purchasing policies.

Present information to groups as needed and support facilitation of meetings and trainings.

Outreach, Communications, and Relationship Management

Serve as a liaison between NMIC and internal and external partners, including NMDOH Immunization Program staff, healthcare providers, managed care organizations, UNM Health Sciences Center departments, and community-based organizations.

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to advance immunization efforts, particularly in areas where NMIC serves as a trusted intermediary for activities NMDOH cannot undertake directly.

Communicate regularly with partners via email, phone, and in-person meetings to coordinate activities and follow up on program needs.

Marketing, Education, and Materials Development

Design, produce, and manage NMIC marketing and educational materials in accordance with UNM and NMDOH branding and graphic design standards.

Develop newsletters, brochures, posters, flyers, invitations, save-the-date announcements, billboards, social media content, and other outreach materials.

Write, edit, coordinate, and translate materials as needed, including producing materials in Spanish and working with external writers and translators.

Coordinate approval processes with NMDOH for use of official logos and messaging.

Fiscal and Administrative Support

Utilize UNM purchasing card (PCard) to manage program-related purchases, including travel, incentives, honoraria, event costs, office supplies, and equipment.

Coordinate travel and reimbursement for NMIC staff, speakers, and guests.

Work with vendors and printers to manage ordering, specifications, timelines, and budgets for outreach materials and incentives.

Ensure compliance with UNM fiscal, contractual, and approval processes.

Campaigns and Special Projects

Coordinate NMICs annual Got Shots back-to-school vaccination campaign, including working with managed care organizations to organize and distribute incentives.

Support immunization-related initiatives such as adult vaccine promotion, respiratory season outreach (flu, RSV, COVID-19), VFC provider recruitment, and special OCH projects (e.g., SDOH initiatives, special events, and newsletters).

Contribute to the development of immunization requirement charts and educational tools, including Spanish-language versions.