Program Assistant - Environmental Health

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Program Assistant - Environmental Health

$ 24.96 - $33.44 / Posted Thru: 7/1/2026

Location: Remote/Virtual - Occasional in-person at Lansing, MI office required (1 day per week min) - Must Live and Work in Michigan

Position Schedule: The hiring team is open to considering candidates seeking part-time or a full-time (32 hours per week) schedule. The schedule will be discussed during the interview process.

Purpose:The purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive administrative, technical, and operational support that ensures the smooth, efficient functioning of the Bureau Operations Office, including the Office of Science and Consultation, the Office of Strategy Section, and the Employee Engagement and Operations Section. This role independently coordinates complex administrative tasks, manages critical information and tracking systems, supports meetings and projects, and assists with tracking data, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and processing legislative requests. This role exists to provide dependable, detail-focused support that enhances communication, strengthens organizational efficiency, and enables Bureau leadership and staff to carry out their work effectively. The ideal candidate brings creativity, strong organizational skills, technical proficiency, and a proactive, service-oriented approach-along with an understanding of health equity principles and a commitment to supporting work that advances equitable outcomes and inclusive collaboration across the Bureau and for the people of Michigan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duty #1 - Administrative Support

• Coordinates weekly Directors' Report updates.
• Coordinates document review for the Bureau Operations Office.
• Coordinates and provides clerical support for Bureau Operations Office meetings - including scheduling, development of agendas, recording of minutes, anticipating and coordinating needs for meetings.
• Edits documents as requested; prepares drafts with limited support when appropriate, including memoranda of understanding, forms, and internal correspondence as requested.
• Completes, submits and tracks purchase orders and requests for contractual services and resulting expenditures.
• Provides event planning services for conferences, in-service days, and special meetings, including arrangements for in- and out-of-state travel/conference attendance, coordinating with private and federal agencies as needed.
• Tracks renewal dates and prepares forms for the procurement of software licenses, contractor ID badges, VPNs, etc. on behalf of the Bureau Operations Office.
• Oversees quarterly updates of the Environmental Health Bureau's contacts and programs directory for external partners.
• Supports Bureau administrative team as needed.
• Supports a culture of continued improvement, implementation, and growth.

Duty #2 - Data Entry and Information Management

• Maintains Bureau Policy and Process System - including developing, identifying, tracking, and notifying of any updates Bureau and Department-wide.
• Assists with organizing and cleaning data and the design of effective spreadsheets to improve tracking, compilation, and analysis.
• Prepares charts, graphs and data-driven content for reports, presentations and educational materials for Bureau Operations Office.
• Conducts scientific literature reviews, develops and provides summaries per the request of members of the Bureau Operations Office.

Duty #3 - Health Equity and DEI Workgroup Support

• Supports planning and coordination of Health Equity and diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) Workgroup meetings, including scheduling, preparing agendas, documenting minutes, and tracking action items to ensure consistent progress on equity related initiatives.
• Maintains organized files, resources, and reference materials related to health equity and DEI, including guidance documents, training materials, project updates, and data summaries. Assists with collecting and compiling information needed for reports or presentations.
• Assists with drafting internal communications, updates, and announcements that highlight equity focused work; help coordinate and track staff participation in DEI activities or trainings; and ensure materials and messages are distributed to relevant sections across the Bureau.

Duty #4 - FOIA and Legislative Bill Analysis Support

• Assists with the tracking of FOIA requests, including collection of documents on behalf of the Bureau Operations Office as requested by EHB's FOIA Coordinator.
• Supports the Bureau Operations Office's Legislative Bill Analysis Liaison with tracking and coordination of bill comment and analysis process.

Duty #5 - Division Resource Management & Bureau Support

• Tracks and maintains Bureau iPad inventory - managing and ensuring timely deployment of updates.
• Maintains records and coordinates Bureau Operations Office IT needs - included computer hardware inventory, software purchases, and other computer-related services and commodities.
• Supports Bureau Secretary as needed with maintenance of general office equipment including printer/copy machines and confidential shred bins.
• Supports Bureau Secretary as needed with inventory management of office supplies, printer paper, etc. purchased through the approved State of Michigan vendor.
• Supports Bureau Secretary as needed with scheduling and tracking annual maintenance and/or calibration of specialized division equipment.

Duty #6 - Other bureau support, as needed.

• Additional assignments to support the success of Bureau Operations Office and Environmental Health Bureau.
• Always represent the best interests of MDHHS and MPHI.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education:Education typically acquired through completion of high school. An Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.

Experience: Five years of office experience involving administrative support practices, demonstrating growth and advancement of duties during that time.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• This position requires a highly organized, detail oriented individual who excels at managing complex administrative workflows and balancing multiple priorities with accuracy and discretion.
• Excellent attention to detail and reliability in managing critical information, tracking systems, and time-sensitive processes.
• Clear, professional communication skills, including the ability to prepare, edit, and support a variety of written materials.
• Solid technical proficiency with office software, data systems, and tools used for tracking, documentation, and meeting support.
• Proactive, service-oriented approach with the ability to anticipate needs, solve problems, and support staff across multiple sections.
• Creative thinking and adaptability in a diverse, evolving work environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and maintain effective working relationships with leadership and staff.
• An understanding of health equity principles and a commitment to supporting work that advances equitable outcomes and inclusive collaboration across the Bureau and for the people of Michigan.
• Above all, this person will be a collaborative, adaptable team member who ensures smooth operations and consistent, high quality support for the Bureau Operations Office.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: This position is hybrid, with at least one day/week required in our Lansing office. If a candidate chooses to include remote work, they should be able to self-furnish a standard office environment - including desk, chair, and ensure a professional appearance. Physical effort will be typical of an office position, including computer work, and receipt and dissemination of work materials and meeting supplies, which may be bulky and weigh up to 40lbs.

On occasion, work may be necessary outside of regular hours if necessary for the support of a response effort, Bureau sponsored event or project.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: No assigned responsibility.

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS

Performs as a critical member to support a team of professionals working collaboratively to investigate environmental exposures within the State of Michigan.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION

Contact Person/Group	Purpose	Frequency
Bureau Operations Office Director	Management & Oversight of Position	Daily
Strategy Section Manager	Assignment and coordination of daily tasks	Daily
Operations and Engagement Section Manager	Assignment and coordination of daily tasks	Daily
Bureau Operations Office Staff	Collaboration and coordination of daily tasks	Daily
Environmental Health Bureau Administrative Staff	Collaboration and coordination of tasks	Daily to Weekly

For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Non-Exempt" from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act.

MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

MPHI is an EEO employer that participates with e-verify.