Description

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
RECREATION AND WELL-BEING

Health Promotion Specialist, Peer Education

The VCU Recreation and Well-Being (RecWell) Health Promotion Specialist, Peer Education is responsible for the health promotion program areas that align with the mission of RecWell, which is to advance student success by empowering the VCU community to prioritize well-being, connect with others, and learn through play. The Health Promotion Specialist, Peer Education collaborates with the Health Promotion team and other RecWell team members to develop, implement, and evaluate health promotion programs, events, and services for a diverse student body of 30,000 across two main campuses, with an emphasis on First and Second Year student programming. The Health Promotion Specialist, Peer Education is primarily responsible for leading health promotion peer leadership programs on topics such as sexual and mental health, nutrition, alcohol and other drugs, and other health and well-being topics most impacting students' success. This position directly supervises and provides leadership to health promotion student leaders, including Peer Health Educators, and reports to the Assistant Director for Health Promotion. HS 21231Y.

Responsibilities include:

Personnel Management (30%)

• Facilitate the hiring, ongoing training, supervision, and mentorship to develop peer educators into more effective, healthful leaders and team members in all aspects of their lives.
• Create opportunities for health promotion student staff to engage in applied/integrated student leadership opportunities that align with VCU REAL.
• Effectively prepare university students and RecWell student employees to identify risks and make critically sound decisions that uphold the department's shared values.
• Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for students to increase levels of responsibility, develop new skills, and advance as professionals.
• Advise the Peer Health Education program, including training, coursework, membership, recruitment, and attending all meetings.
• Create employee training materials and operating manuals, and revise annually.
• Effectively communicate department, Division, and University mission, vision, values and goals to staff, with special attention to areas regarding health promotion and well-being.
• Ensure consistent and quality service standards are met.
• Ensure compliance with all departmental and University guidelines and procedures.
• Regularly monitor staff time and verify payroll.

Program Management (40%)

• Lead the ongoing planning, implementation, and evaluation of an accessible and welcoming health promotion and education program, minimizing risk while focusing on fun, educational and positive experiences for participants.
• Participate in the development of department and program area-specific strategic plans, goals, and measurable outcomes to guide and evaluate all peer leader/educator activities.
• Work with other RecWell staff to assess and report strategic outcomes.
• Lead programming for first and second-year student initiatives such as New Student Orientation, Ram Camp, Weeks of Welcome, Health Promotion Living-Learning Communities, and alcohol-alternative events.
• Facilitate collaboration with key stakeholders on and off campus to develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to well-being that addresses key issues, such as belonging and connectedness.
• Work with key stakeholders to integrate health promotion into academic and other learning environments, potentially instructing courses in partnership with academic departments.
• Work through the established channels to engage in dynamic and purposeful marketing and promotion of emergent health issues through the collaborative development of digital, print, social, and other media.
• Attend university and health promotion events, conferences, and professional networks to support student leader activities and develop relationships with peers and other key partners.
• Work with others to develop innovative models that remove barriers to student engagement while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the health promotion and peer health education program.
• Advocate for most effective policies and programs in specific program area(s).

Administration (30%)

• Ensure health promotion student employees complete all appropriate forms and documents to maintain consistency with university guidelines.
• Provide responsible and ethical management of resources within designated program area(s), including developing, managing, and reconciling program budgets.
• Create, revise, and implement standard operating procedures for peer education and leadership programs.
• Ensure compliance with departmental and program area risk management plans that includes staff training, certification requirements, program management, regular audits, emergency action plans, and appropriate documentation.
• Collaborate and develop strong partnerships with campus and community partners in specific program area(s) related to university student health and well-being.
• Actively contribute to shared knowledge in this growing field by participating in professional organizations.
• Participate in Division, University-wide, and community events and committees as needed.
• Assist with daily operations of the department as needed.
• Serve as part of the onsite/on-call team, providing regular evening and weekend supervisory support.
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION: This position is a full-time twelve-month University and Academic Professional position

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.