Project Assistant

Posting Details

Posting Details

Logo Institution South Dakota State University Working Title Project Assistant Posting Number CSA02766P Department SDSU-Graduate Nursing Physical Location of Position (City) Unspecified Posting Text

Join the Population Health Evaluation Center (PHEC) as a Project Assistant and play a key role in engagement participants in public health projects, including coordinating and managing survey data and supporting project operations. This position works across multiple projects to ensure high-quality data collection, protect participant confidentiality, and support project operations through strong organizational, communication, and administrative skills.

This position is annually grant funded, and contingent upon future funding.

The Population Health Evaluation Center (PHEC) is a service center in the College of Nursing providing evaluation, assessment, and surveillance services. The center gathers and interprets data to help organizations understand the impact of their work and realize new opportunities to improve their quality of service and expand their reach. Many of its projects focus on efforts to improve the health and quality of life in rural Midwestern communities.

This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities:

• Conduct participant data collection through telephone interviews and managing online and mail survey responses
• Manage participant data by tracking progress, entering and verifying data, and ensuring accuracy and completeness of survey responses.
• Coordinate participant recruitment and project activities, including preparing recruitment materials, scheduling interviews and focus groups, and maintaining organized project documentation.
• Protect confidential information by following all privacy, security, and project protocols when handling protected health information and project data.
• Provide administrative and operational support by coordinating meetings, tracking project outcomes and purchasing, preparing billing information, and editing project documents.
• Assist with training and mentoring student project assistants by providing guidance on data collection procedures, participant tracking, and quality standards.

Benefits:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university's guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Data collection processes used in surveillance or research settings
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Professional written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated proficiency in grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Modern office equipment procedures
• Database management
• Computer systems and software applications

Skill & Ability to:

• Provide professional and accurate information to project participants and PHEC clients.
• Manage data classified as protected health information, following all privacy and security requirements
• Accurately follow outlined procedures and processes across multiple projects
• Research, compile, and assess information (including data)
• Solve problems independently
• Learn new computer systems and software
• Prioritize work and meet competing deadlines
• Formulate logical and reasonable conclusions from available information

Required License:

Valid drivers license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Application Procedures:

This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university's verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check. SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date 07/15/2026 Closing Date 07/22/2026 Open Until Filled No First Consideration Date Advertised Salary $19.27-$21.67/hour, depending upon qualifications, plus benefits Duration of the Term 12 months If Other, describe duration Appointment Percent 100 Work Hours

8am-5pm

Typical Hours Worked Per Week Appointment Type Regular Scope of Search External (includes Internal) If internal, define scope of search This position requires Valid Drivers License If other, please indicate Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state's largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

Contact Information

For additional information regarding this position or questions about the online application process, please contact Human Resources at 605-688-4128.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position. Analyzing, Comprehend, Logic, Pace-average, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. If other protection is used please identify

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Use of Either Hand, Independently Describe any of the conditions selected

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

Working Environment

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. Office Environment If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Where did you hear about this position?
• LinkedIn
• SDBOR Employment Site
• South Dakota Department of Labor
• Employee Referral
• Department Announcement / Inside State
• Handshake
• Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
• Industry Conference
• Search Engine - Please specify
• Employment Agency - Please specify
• Newspaper - Please specify
• HigherEdJobs.com
• Chronicle of Higher Education
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
• Radio - Please specify
• APLU
• List Servs - Please specify
• Alumni
• Other - Please specify

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Reference List