Program Associate-Rural Health Initiatives

About CT State

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) was launched on July 1, 2023, through the consolidation of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges. With campuses and satellite locations statewide, CT State serves all 169 towns and neighboring states. As the largest community college in New England, CT State is committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible education that supports students’ academic, career, and personal success.

For more information about CT State Community College and the campus please visit Home - CT State 

Position Details

Posted: September 23, 2026
Level: Community College Professional 17, 12-month, Special Appointment
Employment Type: Temporary position, non-tenure track position (Grant-Funded)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Anticipated Start Date: December 2026
Work Location: CT State Northwestern (Park Pl, Winsted, CT 06098)
Work Modality: On site; Position is not remote
Closing Date: Open until filled, with priority consideration given to applicants who submit materials by Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Position Summary

The Connecticut State Office of Rural Health (CT-ORH), housed at CT State Northwestern, receives funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and works to improve access to quality health care for rural residents across the state through collaboration, technical assistance, policy support, and targeted investments. The CT-ORH anticipates a grant through the CT Department of Social Services (CT DSS) as part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The Program Associate supports the implementation of a Community Health Navigator Program, a regional pilot initiative to connect rural residents with essential health and preventive services. This is a full-time, durational position (up to 5 years), contingent upon the receipt and continuation of federal funding.

The Program Associate coordinates grant-funded activities, monitors sub-awards to external vendors, supports compliance and reporting requirements, assists with stakeholder engagement across the grant period, as well as other responsibilities as needed. The position will also dedicate 20% effort to supporting the CT-ORH Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the CT Office of Rural Health Director, the Program Associate of Rural Health Initiatives is accountable for the following duties through the effective performance in these essential duties:

Key responsibilities include:

• Program Coordination
• Grant Management and Reporting
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
• CT State Office of Rural Health Grant Program

Additional responsibilities include:

• Attendance and participation at convocation and commencement ceremonies
• Service on assigned committees and task forces
• Attendance and participation at committee, staff, informational and professional meetings which may occur during evenings and weekends.

This posting outlines qualifications, experience, and skills but is not limited to the full specifications in the official job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a health-related field with two (2) or more years of experience, ideally in a grant-funded program in health, public health or human services; or a combination of education, training and experience which would lead to the competencies required for successful performance of the position’s essential duties.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with grant writing, monitoring, and grants management.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Knowledge of state and federal health care delivery systems, particularly rural health issues
• Ability to work independently and establish effective cooperative working relationships with key stakeholders, public and private health care providers, state officials, community members, and other groups
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health (MPH) or a related field
• Experience with federal or state grant reporting and sub-award or vendor monitoring for health, public health, or human services programs
• Experience working with health or social service organizations that serve rural communities

Salary and Benefits

• Salary $72,097 approximate annual
• This Grant Funded position has the potential of renewal through September 30, 2031. 

CT State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave policies
• Multiple retirement plan options
• Comprehensive health insurance choices
• Supplemental benefits for retirement and family protection
• Tuition reimbursement (if applicable)

For more information, visit: CSCU - Human Resources - Future Employees.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following:

• A cover letter
• A current resume

In your cover letter, you must clearly address how your experience and skills align with each of the required and preferred qualifications.  The cover letter may be entered as text in the application system or uploaded as a single combined file with the resume.

Your resume must include the names of three (3) current professional references, including their titles, email addresses, and telephone numbers.

Important Notes:

• Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered
• Links to external resume or profile sites will not be accepted
• Apply online at: www.ct.edu/hr/jobs
• CT State Community College cannot sponsor work visas.
• Applicants must be authorized to work full-time in the United States

Selection Process

After the closing date, applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be those who best meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and who submitted all required materials by the deadline.

The selection process may include interviews and practical exercises (e.g., written, technical, or simulation exercises). Finalists will be recommended to the Hiring Manager for final selection.

Background Screening

Employment offers are contingent upon:

• Proof of eligibility to work under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
• Successful completion of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification, reference checks, criminal history, and, when applicable, credit or driving history checks

CT State is committed to maintaining a safe campus community.

Equity Statement

Connecticut State Community College commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CT State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, intellectual disability, physical disability (including but not limited to blindness), present or past history of mental disability, prior criminal record, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion, veteran status, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or trafficking or any other federal or state protected class in its employment, programs, and activities, unless the provisions of Section 46a-80(b) or 46a-81(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes are controlling or there are bona fide occupational qualifications excluding persons in one of the above protected groups. 

For information regarding the nondiscrimination, disability, and Title IX policies/procedures, contact: Nicholas D'Agostino, Director of Equity and Civil Rights, CT State Community College, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051, 860-612-7075 or [email protected].

CSCC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.