Program Specialist 2 - Dental Hygiene

Term of Appointment:

12 Months

Job Summary:

The Program Specialist 2 is responsible for student-facing workflows for the Dental Hygiene Department and is responsible for dental hygiene program and the future dental therapy admissions including but not limited to reviewing transcripts, managing holistic admissions, provides recommendations to students to improve their application, co-ordinates admission interviews, assists with information sessions for future applicants, manages onboarding requirements and documents for accepted students, and provides administrative assistance to the department chair and future dental therapy program director. This position requires performance of tasks and application of knowledge unique to the programs. The supervisor for this position is the Department of Dental Hygiene Chairperson.

Position oversees day-to-day program operations and resolves problems within assigned scope of authority. Position plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates operations of the assigned programs as delegated by the Chair and/or Program Director. The position interprets, reviews and applies program policies and procedures, and develops plans for carrying out program activities. Position assesses the needs of the programs and makes recommendations to the Department Chair and/or Program Director. Position serves as the program liaison, has extensive contact with program participants, and provides advising and consultation to students, faculty, and outside entities regarding the programs.

The Dental Hygiene department is housed in the College of Health Science and Public Health (CHSPH), based on Eastern's downtown Spokane campus. The college and department prepare students to help meet the growing market demand in the critical fields of health care and education. The college is home to several nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate programs with an increased focus on inter-professional education (IPE). As a premier college serving the educational needs of the health care practitioners, CHSPH includes nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, communication sciences and disorders, public health and health administration, wellness and movement sciences, dental hygiene, and Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE). The Dental Hygiene program has served the region for more than 50 years, offering the only Bachelor of Science degree in Washington State. The Dental Hygiene department also operates a clinic which provides care to more than 2,000 underserved people each year.

The salary for this position is $46,836 (minimum) up to $53,952. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on qualifications, education, experience, and skills.

In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 13 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits-briefing/benefits/insurance/

Applications are open and accepted until the posting is closed. Screening of applications will begin on September 8, 2026.

Eastern Washington University provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence.

About Eastern Washington University:

Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the region's polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWU's 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington's second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelor's and master's degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a '24-'25 College of Distinction (CoD).

Money magazine recently named EWU as one of its Best Colleges in America 2024.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement

At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land.

Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community.

At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes.

From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.

Conditions of Employment:

This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa currently. Sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

This position is covered by the Washington Federation of State Employees' Collective Bargaining Agreement: https://in.ewu.edu/hr/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/WFSE-EWU-CBA-Barg.-Units-1-and-2-2025-2027_2024-12-02.pdf

After starting employment, employees will complete the required training via Canvas. The Office of Employee Belonging, Development, and Leadership will reach out to you concerning Workplace Belonging training and asynchronous New Employee Orientation.

Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). If so, candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.

Physical Demands:

Contact Human Resources at jobs@ewu.edu to obtain a copy of the Essential Functions Analysis which will describe conditions of employment, such as physical demands.

Protective Equipment:

University, local, regional, and state mandates for public and personal protection should be followed as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications Studies, Health Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, or health services related field
• Work experience in higher education involving one or more of the following:
  • Working in an administrative capacity
  • Providing program management or program support beyond entry level work
  • Working in a capacity involving student services

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's Degree in Health Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, or health-related field.

• Experience in using Banner Student Management System.
• Experience in one or more of the following:
  • Student recruitment
  • Web-design
  • Program management

Special Instructions to Applicants:

It is strongly recommended that you print a copy of these instructions and the position posting before you begin to complete the online application, as the instructions will not be viewable once you begin the application process.

Required documentation includes all of the items listed below.

1. Attach a detailed Cover Letter in which you explain how you meet each of the required minimum qualifications [and preferred qualifications, if applicable]. It is preferred that you provide that information in a bulleted list or within a table within your cover letter.
2. Attach a chronological Resume including work experience, education, and applicable certifications.
3. Complete the Online Application form and respond to the online questions.
4. References List - name, title, place of employment, address, phone number, email address, and relation to the applicant of at least 3 professional references. (Other Document #1).
5. Mission Statement Response - EWU's mission is to provide an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence. We are committed to serving first-generation, Pell-eligible students. How would you contribute to this mission?

Proposed Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Planning, Organization and Coordination (35%):

• Coordinate program services and resources for two programs: BSDH, Future MSDT
• Develop plans for carrying out program activities.
• Respond to potential applicant inquiries and resolve student issues related to program requirements.
• Assess needs of the programs and make recommendations to the Department Chair and/or Program Director.
• Interpret, review and apply program policies and procedures.
• Serve as the program liaison and have extensive contact with program participants.
• Develop website contents and maintain changes for BSDH and MSDT programs.
• Assist with updating student information documents such as catalog, handbooks, transfer guides, and application materials.
• Support the Dental Hygiene Department Chair and Director of the MSDT program
• Prepare minutes of entry level and master's degree faculty meetings.
• Provide department support, including, but not limited to:
  • Files, scans, and copies paperwork for Department Chair and Program Director
  • Schedule meeting rooms for Department Chair and Program Director
  • Enter dental hygiene and dental therapy classes into CLSS
  • Provides administrative/clerical support as needed to the Department Chair and Program Director.

Admissions (30%):

• Manage the Admission process for the BSDH and MSDT programs.
• Arrange and participate in programmatic Information Sessions.
• Assist with holistic admissions process
• Coordinate Admission Interview Day for BSDH Entry Level and MSDT program
• Assist with evaluating transfer transcripts from other academic institutions for equivalencies and application to degree programs.
• Assist students on academic, career, and personal issues; identifies the educational and career options appropriate for each student and assists with the analysis of each option.
• Communicate with Cheney campus staff to update Degree Works audits, receiving applications, declaring majors, clearing holds, updating registration status.
• Interpret and explain college and university policies and procedures; participates in preparation of orientations and presents academic information to new students.
• Track student progress through EWU admission process.

Student Support (20%):

• Support students in the BSDH and MSDT programs
• Facilitate pre-matriculation documents for students admitted into the BSDH Entry Level and MSDT programs.
• Maintain student files and records for students; documents all pertinent student information; updates computerized information system regarding changes to student status;
• Tracks student documents in EWU and department systems such as Canvas, Complio, etc.
• Assist students with the use of the university registration program using BANNER, clear holds, track payments, fees.

Recruitment (15%):

• Assist in recruiting potential students to the BSDH and MSDT programs.
• Guide potential students on academic requirements; describes courses and curriculum, disseminates information regarding registration procedures and prepares recruitment packets.
• Develop marketing materials; website, social media accounts, postcards, newsletters, brochures, PowerPoints and PDF fillable documents.
• Travel to in-state and out-of-state conferences and career fairs to recruit for programs.

To apply, visit https://jobs.ewu.edu/jobs/program-specialist-2-dental-hygiene-c99350-spokane-washington-united-states