Director of Wellness and Prevention
The University of Tennessee Southern, Pulaski, TN, United States
Duration: Full Time
Director of Wellness and Prevention
About the University
The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) is a small public university established in 2021 through the acquisition of Martin Methodist College, founded in 1870. Located in Pulaski, UT Southern stands as the fourth undergraduate campus in the UT System. It is the only public four-year institution of higher education between Chattanooga and Memphis, and situated along Tennessee’s southern border, the campus is conveniently located about 70 miles south of Nashville and 40 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama. The over 1,000 students enrolled at UT Southern enjoy a private, small-college experience at an affordable, public-university cost. Low student-teacher ratios, high classroom personalization, and the resources of a land-grant university system are among the many advantages students experience. Nearly 30 academic programs are available through the schools of business, education, arts and humanities, mathematics and sciences, nursing, and social sciences. The UT Southern Firehawks, competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference, have 19 nationally competitive athletic teams. Both the women’s and clay target programs have recently won national championships.
The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees recently approved UT Southern’s inaugural five-year strategic plan: Igniting Excellence. The strategic plan is built on three foundational pillars designed to guide UT Southern through its next phase of growth and development: enhance academic excellence and promote innovation; create transformational student experiences and foster student success; and establish greater connectedness and facilitate campus and community engagement.
The University of Tennessee Southern’s vision is to be the epicenter for education, community leadership, and workforce development in south-central Tennessee and a national model for higher education in rural America.
- The mission of the University of Tennessee Southern is to:
- provide undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences that are designed to prepare students for careers and lives of continued learning;
- promote a diverse and globally conscious learning community that nurtures intellectual, social, and personal growth; and
- serve the region through educational, social, and cultural programs and through community outreach and development.
The Opportunity
The University of Tennessee Southern is seeking a Director of Wellness and Prevention to oversee wellness and health promotion practices as part of a transformative student experience.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Student Engagement, the Director of Wellness and Prevention is primarily responsible for planning and implementing campus-wide interpersonal outreach initiatives to create an environment that promotes physical and mental health. This position is responsible for developing, coordinating, and evaluating substance misuse prevention programs/initiatives and recovery program(s) for students in all phases of recovery from addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs. The position will also grow the existing substance misuse prevention offerings, improve the assessment of their impact, and assist with campus reports related to alcohol and drug use.
Duties and responsibilities include,but are not limited to, the following:
• Implement campus-wide interpersonal outreach initiatives through multiple platforms including campus-wide campaigns, presentations, programs, trainings, and sexual assault prevention awareness and education events
• Manage, plan, and implement theory-based and evidence-informed health promotional strategies, programs, and services for the University in areas such as healthy relationships, communication, active bystander skills training, and consent
• Research, develop, and implement experiential wellness opportunities such as outdoor weekend excursions
• Train interpersonal wellness health educators to enhance, promote, and expand interpersonal wellness
• Design, implement, and evaluate campus activities (such as delivering presentations and other co-curricular programming, informal and formal discussions, film series, etc.) to educate about substance misuse and raise awareness of collegiate recovery
• Review research data, guidelines, and campus policy to ensure prevention education is in alignment with national trends
• Develop, implement, and evaluate educational, social, and service programs for a Collegiate Recovery Program, as well as oversee all aspects of the program, including promotion, recruitment, membership engagement, and recovery support
• Develop and assess programs, trainings, and initiatives that educate the campus on substance use/misuse, harm reduction, recovery, medical amnesty, and bystander intervention
• Identify short- and long-term goals measuring achievement in substance misuse prevention and recovery services
• Represent UT Southern's Collegiate Recovery Program across the UT System, Tennessee, and region
Required Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Public Health Education, Social Work or Closely Related Field, Master’s preferred
- 1-3 years’ experience working in a higher education setting, non-profit organization, community agency, or K -12 school system as a counselor, social worker, or case manager.
- Demonstrated public speaking; group facilitation; writing and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, coordinate and evaluate events and programs and incorporate sustainability practices in the management and design of programs.
- Knowledge of and/or experience with substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery.
- Knowledge of and/or experience with student wellness initiatives/programming/strategies.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekend and after hours programming.
- Demonstrated experience working with a multidisciplinary team and collaborating with other professionals.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities, including the ability to work across complex organizations, manage change, and direct student employees.
Application Process
For full consideration, candidates should apply electronically using the link below with a 1) cover letter addressing their interest in and qualifications for the role, 2) a CV/resume, and 3) a list of at least three professional references (include name, email, phone number, and nature of the relationship).