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

Job Summary:

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. The Firearm Industry Partnership Coordinator will support the Pause to Protect (P2P) program, a program of the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative (FIPI). FIPI, directed by Dr. Marian Betz, coordinates, synergizes, and stimulates collaborative approaches to firearm injury prevention throughout the U.S. Pause to Protect supports firearm businesses and owners looking to learn more and engage in secure firearm storage, which can be impactful in preventing accidents, theft, suicide, and other firearm related injuries. The Pause to Protect Firearm Industry Partnership Coordinator is an outreach-focused position, best for an individual passionate about firearm suicide and injury prevention, with knowledge of military culture, who can effectively engage firearm-owning communities to partner in this lethal means safety program.

This position is focused on engaging the firearm business community, particularly near US military installations, as an active partner in firearm injury prevention. The individual hired for this position will be responsible for helping to identify, build, and maintain partnerships with firearm businesses and select military installations across the U.S. as active participants in the Pause to Protect program. 

Primary responsibilities include researching and identifying ideal partner candidates, traveling to establish and maintain relationships, initiating phone and email collaboration, managing timelines and milestones, and facilitating communication across university departments, firearm business partners, and funding sources. This role also includes public speaking, collaboration with other institutions and organizations focused on injury prevention, assistance with data collection, support of ongoing program development, and networking with an eye towards sustainability of the program.

This role will require willingness and ability to travel throughout Colorado, including occasional evenings and weekends, as needed. Must possess a valid driver's license and have access to reliable transportation for in-state travel (mileage reimbursed). Occasional national travel may also be required.

This is an open-rank role and candidates will be considered at the Intermediate, Senior or Principal level:

Key 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.

   

• The ideal candidate will approach this work with curiosity, empathy, and professionalism, creating opportunities for collaboration among partners with diverse perspectives and lived experience to advance firearm suicide and injury prevention.

Duties:

60%25 - Community Engagement and Research Program Partnership

• 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.

25%25 - Military Engagement and Relationship Management

• 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.

15%25 - Sustainability Networking and Engagement

• 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.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings, if hired inside of a 50-mile radius of the CU Anschutz campus.

Remote – this role is eligible to work remotely, if hired outside of a 50-mile radius of the CU Anschutz campus, but the employee must be in the United States.

Why Join Us:

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

• This role will require willingness and ability to travel throughout Colorado, including occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.

• Occasional national travel may also be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 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.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: EMED Human Resources at emed.humanresources@ucdenver.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by September 30, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as

• Intermediate Professional: $51,215 - $68,628

• Senior Professional: $55,367 – $74,193

• Principal Professional: $63,673 – $85,322

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz 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.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.