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Pennsylvania State University

Engineering- Part-Time Program Administrator for COPA-STEP and LPE

🇺🇸 University Park, PA

🕑 Part-Time

💰 TBD

💻 Administrator

🗓️ October 27th, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring an Engineering Part-Time Program Administrator for the COPA-STEP and Law, Policy and Engineering (LPE) programs. The role involves administering the COPA-STEP program, supporting fellows and affiliates, maintaining and growing relationships with funders and partners, developing training programs, and representing the program at conferences. The position requires strong organizational and communication skills and entails collaboration with university and external stakeholders.

Highlights
  • Administer the COPA-STEP program, including supporting fellows, trainees, and affiliates.
  • Maintain and expand relationships with potential funders and apply for funding to support program activities.
  • Develop and sustain partnerships and collaborations at university, local, state, and national levels.
  • Create, promote, and facilitate training and technical education programs, and document outcomes for grant applications.
  • Communicate with internal and external stakeholders and represent COPA-STEP at national conferences.
  • Occasional travel to Harrisburg and State College is required.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills in spoken and written English are mandatory.
  • Experience in leadership roles, grant proposal preparation, philanthropic funding, and interactions with policymakers is preferred.
  • Position is part-time, initially for one year with possible extension contingent on funding and performance.
  • Employment requires successful completion of background checks according to university policies.

Engineering- Part-Time Program Administrator for COPA-STEP and LPE Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

 
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants
 
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Law, Policy and Engineering (LPE) Program at Penn State is recruiting a talented administrator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Science and Technology Policy (COPA-STEP) Program. COPA-STEP supports science-policy pathways for early career scientists at Penn State and beyond including through a year-long, full-time, legislative fellowship program. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Kirchhoff, Associate Professor in the School of Engineering Design and Innovation (SEDI) and the COPA-STEP Advisory Board to administer the program and support COPA-STEP Fellows, Trainees, and affiliates and all aspects of the COPA-STEP. The shared mission of COPA-STEP, Penn State, and SEDI includes (1) facilitating opportunities for public service to support the citizens of the Commonwealth; (2) offering innovative and inter- and transdisciplinary educational programs and experiences; and (3) communicating the role and value of science, engineering, and innovation for society.
This part-time Program Administrator position is expected to initially be for a year, with the possibility of continuing for a second year, contingent on funding and satisfactory performance.
Penn State is a top-ranked research university and Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution, founded with a mission of high-quality teaching, expert research, and global service—driven to make a difference. LPE is an interdisciplinary initiative intended to impact the Commonwealth, nation and world through transdisciplinary research, education, engagement, and service at the interface of law, policy and engineering. A key pillar of LPE is science and technology policy including cultivating opportunities to advance policy, regulatory, and decision relevant research, as well as facilitating opportunities for public service, and training the next generation interested in working at the interface of LPE, and science policy more broadly.

Primary job functions and responsibilities are:
  • COPA-STEP program administration
  • Maintaining and growing relationships with potential funders and apply for funding to support COPA-STEP, training and/or engagement efforts, and related activities
  • Maintain and grow partnerships and collaborations at the university, local, state, or national level to benefit COPA-STEP, science-policy collaborations, and the Commonwealth and generate periodic summaries of partnerships/collaborations for future grant applications and outreach
  • Develop, promote, and facilitate training and technical education programs, document learners and learning, and generate summaries of events for future grant applications and outreach
  • Communicate with internal and external stakeholders, develop and deliver web and other COPA-STEP content, and represent COPA-STEP at national conferences and with internal and external stakeholders
  • Occasional travel to Harrisburg and State College
  • Work towards the successful completion of other tasks as appropriate

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills (including spoken/written English) are required. The ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others is crucial. Experience with leadership roles, with grant proposal preparation/philanthropic funding, and experience interacting with decision- or policymakers is preferred.

Applications should include 1) a statement of interest that describes your background, fit for the position, and career goals, 2) CV, and 3) names and contact information for three referees that can speak to your qualifications and fit with our work. The position will remain open until filled and applications will be reviewed upon receipt. The anticipated start date is November 2025.  The start date is negotiable. For any questions, contact Dr. Christine Kirchhoff at cxk475@psu.edu.
 
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
 
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
 
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

 The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.