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Virginia Commonwealth University is hiring: Health Promotion Specialist, Peer Ed

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States, 23214

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Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Job Code 21231Y Recruitment Pool All Applicants Posting Number req8130 Unit Student Affairs (Vice Provost) MBU Department Recreation and Well-Being Department Website Link https://recwell.vcu.edu/ Location VCU Address 101 S Linden St, Richmond, VA 23220 USA Duties & Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in health sciences, psychology, social work or other health and human services-related industry, or relevant professional experience.
  • At least two (2) years of experience related to health promotion or working in a student affairs setting.
  • Availability to work some evenings and weekends.
  • Ability to collaborate with others in a fluid and complex environment.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, facilitation skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to work collaboratively.
  • Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
  • Demonstrated experience in personnel management and ability to motivate students.
  • Demonstrated experience facilitating health education or student programming in a variety of modalities such as in-person, hybrid, and virtual settings.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-informed health promotion and student development models.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree or Master’s in progress in health promotion, college student affairs, counseling, public health, higher education, or a related field.
  • Familiarity with ACHA standards of practice and the demonstrated ability to incorporate the standards into this role.
  • Experience providing education on topics such as mental health, sexual health, alcohol and other drug issues, and physical health/nutrition.
  • Experience supervising college student peer programs.
  • Experience using Fusion software system, Mentimeter, and Canvas.
  • Assessment and research skills (e.g., research design, survey development, environmental assessment, focus group design and facilitation, data analysis and interpretation, etc.).
  • Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or related certification.
  • American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor certification.


FLSA University Employee Job FTE 1.0 Exemption Status Exempt Restricted Position No E-Class UF - University Employee FT Job Category University Employee ORP Eligible Yes Salary Range $48,000-$52,000 Compensation Type Salaried Target Hire Date 10/25/2025 Contact Information for Candidates

Dr. Trisha Saunders

trsaunders@vcu.edu

(804) 827-0323

Documents Needed to Apply

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Mid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Other

  • Industries

    Higher Education

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