CAREERS AT EASTERN

Job Title:

Operations Manager - Dental Hygiene (E99984)

Location:

Spokane

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Work Schedule Type:

Regular

Work Schedule:

40 hours per week, typically Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, and will require some evening and weekend work for events. The individual selected for this position will work on-site and actively contribute to a collaborative and collegial office.

Term of Appointment:

12 Months

Job Summary:

Eastern Washington University (EWU) invites applications for an Operations Manager to join the Department of Dental Hygiene in the College of Health Science and Public Health. This position plays a critical leadership role in supporting the daily operations of EWU's nationally recognized Dental Hygiene Program and teaching clinic.

The Operations Manager reports to the Chair of the Dental Hygiene Department. This individual is the primary assistant to the Chair and future Dental Therapy Program Director and contact for the program. This is a managerial position with responsibilities for staff supervision, budget and resources management. The Operations Manager exercises independent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality and utilizes delegated authority to make and implement plans, decisions, and commitments in areas related to management policies and department business operations. This position has a comprehensive range of responsibilities, including planning, budget development, clinical billing, personnel, payroll, purchasing, special project support, and other administrative functions. Core Competencies for this position include professionalism, leadership, communication skills, organizational and analytical skills, and professional knowledge about the program.

The successful candidate will work on-site and join a collaborative and caring faculty and staff committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to excellence in serving the community.

EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

The salary for this position is $61,507 (minimum) up to $70.900. 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, 12 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 October 21, 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. 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 ’26 -’27 College of Distinction (CoD), the second consecutive year it has received the national recognition.

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.

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 is an Administrative Exempt position and is covered by EWU Policy 406- 01, Exempt Employment: https://inside.ewu.edu/policies/knowledge-base/ewu-406-01-exempt-employment/

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, preferably in management, business, or health sciences;
• 2+ years of dental experience,
• 3+ years of progressively responsible administrative experience.
• Must be self-directed, be able to work with minimum supervision and must be able to work both collaboratively and independently. 
  
  Additionally, candidate must demonstrate interest, ability and/or experience promoting cultural competency and/or diversity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Health Sciences Administration
• Experience working in Higher Education

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Special Instructions to the 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

Proposed Job Duties & Responsibilities

Office Management and Staff Supervision of the Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Department Programs (30%)

• Develop and implement office procedures, policies and systems
• Oversee billing for all clinic services
• Respond to client complaints; obtain information and data from records and appropriate clinic staff; compose report for review and resolution; or personally resolve complaints on non-clinical issues
• Respond to inquiries from clients, third-party payers and agencies, and other departments
• Analyze unpaid third-party claims to determine appropriate follow-up action to assure payment
• Analyze third-party contract reimbursement for accuracy
• Resolve credit balances through allowances, adjustments, or refunds to clients of third-party payers
• Assist in the development and maintenance of the Department Front Office Manual
• In collaboration with department chair implement and monitor compliance with customer service standards
• Coordinate and manage program student assessment efforts on an annual basis
• Independently think through complex projects (operationalizing a new program and issues, determine steps to completion and carry those out smoothly)
• Assist department Chair, Program Director, and search committees with the recruitment process on an ongoing basis
• Assist Department Chair and/or Program Director to hire, interview, select, supervise and train office staff. Evaluate and initiate corrective action when necessary
• Manage travel for faculty and staff
• Process textbook and equipment requests
• Approve clerical leave in collaboration with the Department Chair
• Approve timesheets
• Assign and review work of clerical staff and schedule hours
• Exercise independent judgment and decision-making skills to resolve problems
• Assist the Program Specialist II to schedule and coordinate classrooms with WSU personnel. Act as liaison between EWU&WSU
• Develop and maintain documentation and databases to facilitate ongoing operations and special projects

Assistant to the Department Chair and Dental Therapy Program Director (25%)

• Analyze problems and provide information, counsel and report to chair on action
• Develop management reports that include historical reviews and financial projections
• Evaluate administrative or procedural problems and recommend solutions to chair
• Represent the chair at meetings as determined by the chair
• Collect and distribute information as a policy resource person
• Prepare and provide analysis of enrollment reports
• Regularly attend faculty meetings to update faculty on front office issues.
• Coordinate and supervise administrative tasks
• Develop process and maintain departmental documents and materials
• Utilize delegated authority to make and implement plans, decisions and commitments in areas related to management policies and department business operations
• Interpret university and department policies
• Initiate and complete special projects

Budget Management (20%)

• Advise chair, program director and faculty in budget and resource planning.
• Oversee the department resources
• Develop and disseminate budget and workload analysis reports
• Forecast revenue and expenditures
• Grant management to include collecting grant data for proposals and decision
• making and reconciling of grant budgets
• Establish and manage equipment maintenance and replacement plans in cooperation with staff.
• Prepare ongoing monthly budget reports showing budgetary status and financial projections; ensure that budget spending is aligned with planned spending; take remedial action when spending deviates from planned expenditures
• Remain current on all University purchasing and travel rules
• Prepare fiscal summaries for the chair on an ongoing basis

Personnel Procedure Management (15%)

• Assist the Chair in the administration of personnel practices and procedures
• Direct supervisor for staff
• Coordinate procedures for searching and hiring in compliance with University policy
• Initiate, prepare and review all personnel action forms (PAFs)
• Maintain current personnel records and position information
• Review and study all new policies regarding personnel and inform Chair
• Develop notices and advertisements

Accreditation Data Management Systems (10%)

• Coordinate and manage accreditation process for the dental hygiene and dental therapy program including ongoing collection of data
• Design, maintain, and upgrade departmental filing system, including general office files, client files, assessment, accreditation files, travel documents, textbooks, and equipment and supplies inventory.
• Assistance in the development and maintenance of Departmental and Programs outcome data
• Assistance in development and maintenance of any CODA Accreditation filing, databases and program evaluation process for the dental hygiene and dental therapy programs.