Colorado Mesa University logo
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, Colorado

Assistant Professor/Assistant Program Director for the Bechtel Physician Assistant Program

Physician AssistantFull-Time

Listed compensation

$125k-$130k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Announcment of Position Vacancy

ABOUT THIS POSITION

Summary

Colorado Mesa University invites applications for the position of Assistant Program Director to lead and teach in the Bechtel Physician Assistant Program. This is a full-time, in person, 12-month position, with the option of flipping to the clinical track.

Courses may be assigned as in-person, or hybrid. Professional development in the discipline, involvement with advising, and service to the department and profession are expected.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Duties as Assistant Program Director

  • Assume the role of Interim Program Director in the absence of the Program Director.
  • Organize and moderate faculty meetings in the absence of the Program Director.
  • Conduct an annual overview of the curriculum to ensure it aligns with the current PANCE blueprint.
  • Oversee course curriculum delivery and maintain syllabi consistent with University and ARC-PA standards.
  • Make recommendations for curriculum change as needed.
  • Provide oversight and monitoring of the program’s assessment and evaluation processes.
  • Mentor and onboard new faculty.
  • Review and approve semester schedules.
  • Review and provide guidance on the clinical-year curriculum in partnership with the Medical Director and Director(s) of Clinical Education.
  • Represent the PA program at administrative meetings as deemed appropriate by the Program Director.
  • Assist the Program Director in performing an annual review and update of the student handbook.
  • Assist in the Program’s self-study and accreditation process, ensuring that accreditation standards related to the Program curriculum are appropriately addressed, and assist in compiling and completing documentation for the accreditation process.

Oversee the Course Fee Budget

  • Update the program ARC-PA portal as required by the ARC-PA.
  • Participate in preparing documents for accreditation application, self-study, and site visit activities
  • Recruit and advise adjunct faculty
  • Providing leadership and support to didactic students and on-campus faculty

Develop and coordinate course design, course delivery, and participate in the evaluation of didactic and clinical curriculum.

Duties as Faculty Member

  • Participate in the admissions process and the applicant screening process.
  • Teach assigned courses in the PA program.
  • Provide student academic advising and evaluation.
  • Assist in clinical site visits.
  • Complete professional development activities and service to the University and community.

REQUIRED EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications Required:

Physician Assistant with the following: Master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant program. Current certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Licensed or eligible for licensure as a Physician Assistant in the State of Colorado.

Minimum of three years of full-time higher education experience

Preferred Qualifications

Active in community services and participation/leadership in local, regional, or national Physician Assistant or other medical organizations.

An earned academic doctoral degree in an appropriate discipline.

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Salary

$125,000 - $130,000

Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!

How to Apply

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared to upload a:

Cover letter

CV

Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed. If your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire.

Names and contact information for three references.

Direct Inquiries Contact: Dan Millward, dmillward@coloradomesa.edu

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment.

Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility.

Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email.

You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.

Key Responsibilities

The Assistant Program Director will oversee curriculum delivery, accreditation standards, and faculty mentorship within the Physician Assistant program. Additionally, the role involves teaching courses, participating in student admissions, and providing academic advising.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant program and possess current NCCPA certification. A minimum of three years of full-time higher education experience is required, along with eligibility for licensure in Colorado.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Curriculum developmentStudent assessmentProgram managementRegulatory complianceBudget oversight

Physician Assistant Career Context

Of the 50 active Physician Assistant listings this role was benchmarked against, 4% are remote, 68% have no call, 72% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Colorado is 103.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$128k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $124k in an average-cost state. 60.9% of Colorado clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Physician Assistant market look like in Colorado?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$125k–$130kPhysician Assistant median $150k (middle half $120k–$170k)12 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$124k in purchasing powerColorado index 103.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Physician Assistant listings in Colorado71 active4,583 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 4% remote · 68% no call · 72% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Physician Assistant Jobs

48 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

48 jobs · 39 employers
15
<$140k
9
$140k-160k
14
$160k-180k
9
$180k-200k
1
$205k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

44 jobs · 39 employers
401k / retirement match
91% this job
CME allowance
73%
Sign-on bonus
59%
Loan repayment
25%
Relocation assistance
18%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Physiatry (PM&R) Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant

Iconic Care · Los Angeles, California

$175k-$205k
#2

Family Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Sign-On Bonus Available

One Medical · Sunnyvale, California

$165k-$197k
#3

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (Cow Hollow) - Sign-On Bonus Available

$165k-$197k
#4

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) / Physician Assistant (PA) – Mobile Primary Care

$185k-$195k
+ 46 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 1.5
Below most Physician Assistant roles listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 4,566 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
Colorado Mesa University logo

About Colorado Mesa University

Higher Education
Grand Junction, Colorado

Benefits & Perks

Health insurance
Retirement benefits

Living in Grand Junction

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$409k≈ 3.3× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,783/mo≈ 17% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
16 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
95.5
State income tax
Up to 4.4%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Grand Junction, CO metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.