(Open Rank – Intermediate, Senior, Principal) Firearm Industry Partnership Coordinator

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Emergency Medicine is seeking an Open Rank (Intermediate, Senior, Principal) Program Research Professional to serve as the Firearm Industry Partnership Coordinator. This role supports the Pause to Protect (P2P) program, a component of the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative (FIPI). FIPI aims to coordinate and stimulate collaborative approaches to firearm injury prevention across the U.S. The Pause to Protect program assists firearm businesses and owners in learning about and engaging in secure firearm storage practices, which can help prevent accidents, theft, suicide, and other firearm-related injuries. The coordinator position is outreach-focused, ideal for someone passionate about firearm suicide and injury prevention, with an understanding of military culture, who can effectively engage firearm-owning communities in this lethal means safety program. The primary focus is on engaging the firearm business community, particularly near U.S. military installations, as active partners in firearm injury prevention. The individual will be responsible for identifying, building, and maintaining partnerships with firearm businesses and select military installations nationwide as participants in the Pause to Protect program. Key duties include researching potential partners, traveling to establish and maintain relationships, initiating communication, managing project timelines, and facilitating communication among university departments, firearm business partners, and funding sources. The role also involves public speaking, collaborating with other injury prevention organizations, assisting with data collection, supporting program development, and networking for program sustainability.

Requirements

Intermediate Professional: Bachelor's degree in any field
One (1) year of program research or related experience
Senior Professional: Bachelor's degree in any field
Two (2) years of program research or related experience
Principal Professional: Bachelor's degree in any field
Three (3) years of program research or related experience
A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences and build trust across communities.
Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences.
Skill in facilitating conversations on complex or sensitive topics with professionalism, empathy, and cultural humility.
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners, coalitions, and stakeholders.
Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to work independently in remote and community-based settings while managing multiple priorities.
Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.
Strong organizational and documentation skills, with the ability to maintain accurate records, prepare reports, and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Ability to document outreach activities, partnerships, and program outcomes in a timely, organized, and accurate manner.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other collaboration and data management tools (e.g., Teams, Excel, SharePoint, or similar platforms).
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
Outstanding customer service skills.

Nice To Haves

Military service (or other relevant firearms-related professional experience) is strongly preferred.
Bachelors degree in public health, social/behavioral sciences or a related field.
At least two years of professional experience in mental health promotion, suicide prevention, firearm injury prevention, or related public health programming.
Background in the armed forces, law enforcement, and/or other positions that provided hands-on experience with firearms and/or secure handling and storage of firearms.
Interest and experience in public health and firearm injury prevention topics.
Experience in community outreach and/or working with coalitions and communities impacted by firearm injury and violence.
3+ years of professional experience in mental health promotion, suicide prevention, firearm injury prevention, or related public health programming.

Responsibilities

Research and identify prospective firearm industry partners and stakeholders.
Establish, cultivate, and maintain relationships through phone, email, and virtual meetings, as well as travel to select sites across the US.
Coordinate communication across internal (e.g., university personnel and departments) and external (e.g., firearm industry partners, funding organizations) stakeholders.
Work with project team to manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to support successful program implementation and evaluation.
Deliver presentations and represent P2P and FIPI at meetings, conferences, and community events.
Collaborate with local, state, and national organizations working in suicide prevention, firearm injury prevention, and related fields.
Assist with data collection, documentation, and reporting to support program evaluation, grant requirements, and funding applications.
Contribute to ongoing program development, continuous improvement, and strategic planning.
Build and sustain partnerships to support the long-term growth and sustainability of the Pause to Protect program.
Assist in development of research briefs, reports, presentations, and executive summaries to communicate findings to stakeholders.
Monitor program performance metrics and evaluate outcomes to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, subject matter experts, and external partners to support research initiatives and strategic projects.
Translate research findings into evidence-based strategies, program enhancements, and decision-making frameworks.
Ensure research activities comply with organizational standards, regulations, and ethical guidelines.
Present research results to leadership teams, committees, and external stakeholders, providing strategic recommendations.
Create and maintain databases, tracking tools, and reporting systems to support ongoing program evaluation and research efforts.
Collaborate with the team in developing surveys, interview guides, focus groups, and assessment tools to collect stakeholder feedback and measure program impact.
Identify prospective firearm businesses as Pause to Protect grows and maintains its network in the US.
Initiate contact with prospective firearm business partners to engage key decision makers and educate them about the Pause to Protect Program, including traveling for in-person meetings.
Collaborate with CU team to collectively guide new firearm business partners through the university procurement and onboarding process in step with project milestones.
Provide ongoing technical assistance to firearm businesses that have been onboarded, keeping their engagement and enthusiasm level high by identifying challenges and providing solutions.
Help maintain existing firearm business partner relationships through regular phone, email, and in-person communication where applicable.
Identify and act on opportunities to partner with other organizations to engage firearm community partners as active participants in firearm injury prevention efforts.
Respond to community training needs/requests as they arise through P2P and the larger FIPI network.
Assist in identifying and establishing connections with the appropriate prevention and command team members on military installations where Pause to Protect has firearm business partners operating adjacent.
Maintain relationships and connect installation prevention teams to Pause to Protect firearm business partners as the program develops in each catchment area.
Continue to develop and maintain partnership with DSPO/federal agencies.
Participate in strategic planning and execution associated with general sustainability for the Pause to Protect program, including thought leadership both internally and externally on pathways forward.
Establish and leverage external firearm industry and lethal means safety organizational relationships to further the initiative and goals for growth and maintenance.
Contribute to potential fundraising efforts as they arise.