Program Coordinator

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Grainger College of Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for a 53% FTE Program Coordinator position. This position provides management coordination of activities to enable the efficient performance of research and outreach activities of the industry-sponsored Fabricated Geomembrane Institute.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise graduate students working on various FGI laboratory testing, research, specifications, and guidelines.
• Coordinate material sample delivery for research and certification laboratory testing.
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students in continuously improving FGI (Fabricated Geomembrane Institute) website, including updating layout, appearance, design, and functionality.
• Facilitate the creation of technology transfer including: webinars, podcasts, certification programs, short courses, safety sheets, test method videos, geomembrane specifications and guidelines, and other research projects.
• Continuously create and post content to the FGI website including webinars, audio podcasts, video podcasts, press releases, photos, videos, and articles regarding FGI member news, industry involvement, research results, and conference reviews.
• Organize and coordinate technical webinars, conferences, audio and video podcasts and short courses; including: scheduling, securing speakers, preparing PowerPoint files for each presentation with videos and animation, creating agenda, managing all aspects of attendee registration, payments and refunds, creating USB drives that contain short presentations and information for attendees, creating and maintaining Constant Contact lists for promotion and registration, and creating and distributing promotional flyers.
• Collaborate with other leading geosynthetics industry organizations on the creation of webinars, short courses, research projects, and publications.
• Administer program for awarding innovative projects that use fabricated geomembranes, Assist FGI member companies in writing of articles for industry publications, Manage all aspects of member dues payments including invoicing; preparing and distributing receipts; and maintaining financial spreadsheet and database, Coordinate material sample delivery for research laboratory testing, Maintain research database of materials, test methods, and results, Supervise graduate students working on various FGI research and publication projects including laboratory testing, website design, research publication, video creation, AutoCad drawings, etc., Coordinate annual Material Survey to membership including drafting and distributing the survey, collecting responses, distributing results, as well as writing and releasing press release, Draft and publish quarterly FGI Newsletter.
• Create and maintain all aspects of social networking, including the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, as well as the Women in Geosynthetics Group. This includes creating content, posting content, and addressing questions on all social media accounts.
• Draft monthly agenda for both member and board of director teleconferences, as well as write, distribute, and post teleconference minutes to FGI website.
• Maintain all email distribution lists for members and industry contacts. Assume additional appropriate related duties to further the mission of the Institute

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A total of two (2) years (24 months) experience in coordinating administrative and operational activities for a technical research program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. Degree
• Experience in Marketing and website maintenance and operation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and organization skills.
• Proficient in social network administration including LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook
• Proficient in MS Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This is a 53% FTE Civil Service Program Coordinator position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $31,005 - $36,173. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization..

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on March 9, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Stacie Mertes at smertes@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.