Student Wellness Specialist

Community Health Educator Position

Penn State's Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW) is seeking a Community Health Educator (Student Wellness Specialist - Intermediate Professional) to direct, plan, assess and evaluate a culturally sensitive and inclusive health and wellness peer education program.The role will also be responsible for creating and implementing new initiatives to support the mental health and well-being of undergraduate and graduate students. HPW provides health promotion services, programs, and health communication materials for a diverse group of students.The office is committed to supporting a safe and inclusive environment that fosters academic, social, cultural, and personal well-being.The Community Health Educator reports to an Assistant Director.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee HealthWorks, a peer health education program.

• Guide the recruitment and selection of students for a peer health education program

• Plan and implement training for peer educators using evidence-based approaches

• Supervise the activities of peer educators which include individual wellness services, mental health coaching, outreach tables and educational workshops

• Evaluate peer educators and provide feedback to enhance their work

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate inclusive and culturally sensitive health promotion and wellness initiatives to support the health and well-being of undergraduate and graduate students.

• Initiatives include educational programming, health communication materials, and community health initiatives

• Topics include general well-being (including mindfulness, resilience, flourishing), stress, healthy eating, sexual health and relationships, sleep, and alcohol, cannabis, and other substance use

• Support the overall mission of Health Promotion and Wellness through the following activities.

• Assist with the implementation and assessment of strategic health and wellness initiatives identified by Students Affairs and HPW

• Manage the staffing and operation of HPW wellness space

• Manage and coordinate outreach events

• Serve on and participate in committees

• Complete other duties as assigned.

Typical Education and Experience Requirements:

• Minimally requires a Master's degree or higher plus 1 year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Preferred Education, Experience, or Certifications:

• Experience teaching undergraduate students.

• Experience leading a peer education program.

• Knowledge of college health promotion topics as well as health promotion theory and practice.

• CHES certification is preferred, but not required.

Additional Required Competencies:

• A commitment to working with diverse populations is essential.

• Ability tomaintain high standards for evidence-based practice set by relevant professional organizations.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills are essential.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Ethical decision-making and the ability to be a flexible and collaborative team member.

Benefits for full-time employees at Penn State include (visit https://hr.psu.edu/benefits for more detailed information):

• Medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans

• Tuition discounts (including for a spouse and dependent children up to the age of 26)

• Generous vacation time and sick time

• 15 paid holidays/campus closure days

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.