University of Colorado Denver
Anschutz Medical Campus
Department of Community and Behavioral Health
Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center (RMPRC)
Professional Research Assistant
(Physical Education Academy Site Coordinator)
OVERVIEW
The Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center (RMPRC) in the Colorado School of Public Health (CSPH) has
an opening for two Professional Research Assistants (Physical Education Academy Site Coordinators) located
in southeastern Colorado. Both positions will begin on June 15, 2014 and end on May 31, 2016.
The RMPRC's mission is to advance healthy lifestyles and prevent chronic disease among residents and
communities in the Rocky Mountain region by conducting, disseminating, and serving as a resource for
community-based prevention research and policy. The RMPRC is committed to community-engaged research
in which community partners are equitably involved in the research process and assist with informing
decisions about the direction and scope of our research projects.
The RMPRC was awarded a three-year grant from The Colorado Health Foundation titled "Healthy Eaters,
Lifelong Movers” (HELM). HELM's goal is to increase student access to healthy foods, quality physical
education, and physical activity in rural, low-income K-12 schools.
The Physical Education Academy is a professional development initiative for 34 elementary school physical
education teachers and principals located in Southeast Colorado. It consists of the following components to
increase students’ moderate to vigorous activity in physical education:
1. An evidence-based physical education curriculum (SPARK) and equipment;
2. Workshops, booster sessions, and professional learning communities that support physical education
teaching, assessment, observation, and reflection skills; and
3. Peer coaching provided by master physical education teachers called “Site Coordinators” who visit schools
12-18 times over two years to mentor teachers and principals on high quality physical education and its
impact on achievement and lifelong activity.
NATURE OF WORK
We are hiring two Physical Education Site Coordinators who will reside in Southeast Colorado. The
Professional Research Assistants, (Site Coordinators) will work under the direction of the Physical Education
Academy Project Manager and the Denver-based Principal Investigators. The PRAs will provide peer coaching
to physical education teachers and principals and ensure all components of the Academy are successfully
delivered in Southeast Colorado.
The job requires extensive daily travel by automobile and occasional overnight hotel stays. See minimum
qualifications for more detail.
Each Site Coordinator will support approximately 17 teachers over the two-year period to help improve the
quality of instruction and the level of student physical activity during physical education class. Over the course
of the school year, each Site Coordinator will visit each teacher in their school approximately 6-9 times for up
to a day each time and visit with each school principal approximately 4 times per year. The goal of these visits
is to:
 Assist teachers in implementing the SPARK curriculum and SPARK teaching principles;




Assist teachers in becoming highly effective in 7 areas including curriculum and lesson planning;
management; communication; learning environment; movement; skill instruction and assessment; and
program and professional development;
Provide teachers and principals with information on high quality physical education and its impact on
students’ enjoyment of physical education, academic achievement, and preparation for lifelong physical
activity;
Increase the amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity students get during physical education by
working closely with the teachers to further improve their instructional practices; and
Enhance principals’ skills to effectively evaluate and support the teachers.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
The Site Coordinator is the primary public face of the Physical Education Academy and will use the Academy
materials to empower teachers and principals to provide highly effective elementary physical education
programs.
The Site Coordinator will undertake the following major roles and responsibilities:
Academy Programming
 Build and maintain strong relationships based on trust and professionalism between the RMPRC and
Southeast Colorado teachers and principals;
 Attend SPARK Institutes (up to 5 days) in San Diego, CA, in Summer 2014;
 Review SPARK website and curriculum manuals, attend SPARK webinars, etc.;
 Assist the Academy Project Manager with the organization and implementation of SPARK workshops
and booster sessions in Southeast Colorado and additional Academy professional development
initiatives (e.g., workshops and professional learning communities with Southeast Colorado teachers);
 Use Academy materials to conduct monthly 1:1 peer coaching/mentoring visits with elementary
teachers at their schools to build their skills and confidence in implementing SPARK, integrating best
instructional practices, and delivering high quality physical education. In addition, use these monthly
visits to ensure adherence to SPARK via lesson observation and follow- up meetings;
 Conduct quarterly 1:1 school consultation meetings with principals at their schools to build their
knowledge about evidence-based physical education, Colorado state standards, and SB 191; build skills
around observing physical education classes and evaluating their program and curriculum; and
ensuring adherence to SPARK;
 Track and document peer coaching/mentoring visits and principal meetings by completing tracking and
log forms using strong attention to detail; and
 Communicate Physical Education Academy activities (i.e., teacher/principal visits, workshops, etc.) to
key stakeholders (e.g., HELM Principal Investigators and Project Managers, HELM Steering Committee,
BOCES, COAHPERD, etc.).
Minimum Qualifications:
 Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education (and/or Curriculum and Instruction, Education, Supervision);
Colorado State (or other state) Teaching Certificate in Physical Education;
 The Site Coordinator will be an experienced physical educator (i.e., at least 5 years of teaching
experience), with a proven track record of providing quality physical education programs that
incorporate effective curricular and instructional practices to increase student achievement; and
 Extensive travel by automobile including overnight hotel stays within Southeast Colorado will be
required. Current Colorado motor vehicle operator’s license, automobile insurance required by the
State of Colorado, and access to transportation in order to meet the duties and responsibilities of the
job. Mileage reimbursement will be paid at the current Colorado State Travel Management Program
rate.
Preferred Qualifications:
 Master’s degree in Physical Education, Kinesiology, or related field preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
The successful candidate will have:
 At least five years physical education teaching experience (ideally in rural environments);
 Experience implementing SPARK or other evidence-based PE curriculum;
 Knowledge of Colorado state standards and National Association of Sport and Physical Education
(NASPE) standards and best practices;
 Strong interpersonal skills;
 Excellent oral and written communication;
 Ability to interact with diverse populations;
 Attention to detail;
 Strong computer skills (i.e., Skype, Go To Meeting, virtual desktop, Excel);
 Public speaking skills; and
 Experience managing flexible schedules and timelines.
Salary range
The Site Coordinator will work full time (100% FTE) for ten months per year and 50% FTE for two months per
year. The salary range for this position is $43,600 - $51,300 for 100% FTE and will be adjusted according to the
actual FTE in the summer months. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, skills, and experience. The
University of Colorado offers a full benefits package. Information on University benefits programs, including
eligibility, is located at http://www.cu.edu/employee-services
Application procedures:
Applications are accepted electronically at https://www.jobsatcu.com. Review of applications will begin
immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Please do not submit any of your application material (via email) to the job posting contact.
Applicants must include:
1) A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
2) A current CV/resume
3) The names, addresses, daytime telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for three professional
references, in a separate document if not already listed on resume.
Questions should be directed to [email protected].
The University of Colorado Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty,
staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all
prospective employees prior to their employment.
The University of Colorado Denver is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty
and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication
and understanding.