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Wellbeing Educator
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Position Number: 5805534
Location: Amherst, MA
Position Type: Health - Health Education & Promotion

Wellbeing Educator

Amherst Campus
Full Time
JR5598

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Wellbeing Educator position. The Wellbeing Educator is a full-time, year-round position, starting at $64,100 per year - commensurate with experience. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

Working as part of the Residential Engagement and Wellbeing Team (REWT), the Wellbeing Educator (WBE) will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to build on and advance the connection of our students to their environment and each other. This team is part of the larger structure in student affairs that is working to center wellbeing in the living and learning environment of Amherst College. The REWT bases its work in the tenants of the Okanagan Charter for Health Promoting Colleges and Universities. The WBE works at all levels of the socio-ecological model and utilizes a public health approach rooted in social justice to improve the health and wellbeing of our campus community.

Under the direction of the Associate Director of Health and Wellbeing, the (WBE) works as part of a team to advance a culture of wellbeing by developing, implementing, and assessing a theory-based, evidence- and trauma-informed, comprehensive campus-wide strategy to improve wellbeing. The REWT Wellbeing Educator focuses on sexual respect, alcohol and other substance misuse and prevention, sexuality and safer sex, and related topics related to skill development and environmental change. Other topics prioritized by the REWT include sleep, body image, belonging, connection, and coping mechanisms. Working together, the WBEs create offerings and initiatives that are supportive of and build skills to enhance wellbeing, reduce harm, and build a positive campus culture. The WBEs will design health promotion initiatives that are responsive to the needs of our student population and recognize the many factors that influence their collective abilities to maintain and access health. The WBEs' work should foster students' ability to achieve a balanced, self-aware, and health-enhancing state that allows for full engagement in their collegiate experience.

The work of the REWT is to create opportunities for our community to engage with and understand the intersections and connections of identity(ies), social justice, and culture and how they impact health and wellbeing. This work is rooted in addressing the needs of historically marginalized populations. We take a broad view of wellbeing and incorporate the dynamics of a diverse community, and address intersections of identity including, but not limited to, gender, race, economic status, and gender and sexual identity. The REWT collaborates with a variety of campus partners to enhance student experiences on campus in shaping their education beyond the curriculum. In addition, the WBEs supervise peer educators who provide education and skill-building programs to the Amherst College Community.

This position contributes to the creation of a campus community that centers wellbeing and promotes a culture of respect, self-awareness, and healthy decision making. The work encourages and supports our students to grow and learn academically, socially, and emotionally. In collaboration with other members of the REWT and other campus partners, the WBEs will respond to emergent health concerns and crisis situations.

The WBE takes appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Some weekend and evening hours are required.

Examples of Specialty Areas Responsibilities:

Healthy Sexuality and Wellbeing Focus

Coordinate the safer sex supply distribution to campus constituents
Working with Peer Educators to create relevant and impactful programming that centers on healthy sexuality
Coordinate Wellbeing Wednesday' initiatives

Alcohol and Other Drugs Focus

Conduct BASICS/CASICS sessions
Work to build capacity, respond to student needs, and develop harm reduction initiatives related to AOD issues and topics
Working with Peer Educators to create relevant and impactful programming related to AOD issues, including recovery
Work with Campus Partners to create opportunities for substance-free activities

Sexual Respect Focus

Coordinate resources/programs related to survivor support, including the Survivor Support Group
Working with Peer Educators to create relevant and impactful programs related to sexual violence prevention and healthy relationships
Implement and evaluate bystander intervention training
Assist in the creation and implementation of climate assessments related to campus sexual violence as mandated by federal guidance in collaboration with the Civil Rights and Title IX Office

Summary of Responsibilities:

Preventative Initiatives

Integrate best practices and incorporate an evidence-based, theory-informed approach to health promotion efforts
Utilizing current data, the WBE creates targeted interventions that address Amherst College's specific needs and environment
Work as part of a team to make the campus community healthier by contributing to the creation of structures and settings that prioritize wellbeing
Conduct needs assessments such as surveys, questionnaires, and focus groups on health promotion topics
Responsible for analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to help determine team priorities
Contribute to the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy for addressing specific wellbeing issues and topics for the College
Work may focus on sexual violence prevention, alcohol and other drug misuse, recovery, or other topic
Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate programming, education/trainings, and outreach efforts around topics of community relevance
Oversee the hiring, training, development, and supervision of peer educators
Recommend, implement, and assess comprehensive strategies to intentionally create a college that centers wellbeing, the creation of positive communities, and addresses specific health issues and their intersections with other issues of identity and important health and behavior outcomes
Engage and expand campus and community partnerships to support the wellbeing of students
Provide direct training to diverse staff and student leaders related to specialty areas, collaborating with other Wellbeing Educators on topics that intersect to increase impact
Coordinate with campus stakeholders to increase opportunities for capacity building, advancement of strategic priorities, and overall support of student wellbeing. This coordination includes building social connections and increasing empathy and compassion for others
Assist the REWT with responsibilities and development of content for New Student Orientation
Reviews education and intervention strategies and current status of climate on campus; proposes changes to educational strategies, intervention and policy, and procedures in consultation with other relevant staff
Develop educational materials that are trauma-informed and meet best practices in health communications
Provides targeted prevention programming, including comprehensive programming for all incoming students, student athletes, student leaders, and historically marginalized populations (e.g. students of color, international students, LGBTQ+ students, and students living with disabilities)
Ensures that planning and programming is inclusive and effective for the diverse community and multiple identities represented within the Amherst College community and provides active outreach

Intervention

Collaborate with Community Standards and the Civil Rights and Title IX Office to implement evidence-based interventions
Administer online pre-matriculation courses for all incoming students and selected cohorts of returning students related to health and wellbeing
Administer Brief Alcohol Screening and Interventions for College Students (BASICS) and Cannabis Screening for College Students (CASICS) sessions for sanctioned students, as well as for students who request support outside of the community standards process
Provide consultation and referral services for individual students on health topics
Implement and evaluate bystander intervention training, programming, and social norming campaigns to prevent sexual violence and apply skills in addressing a range of health and safety concerns
Liaise with community organizations and colleges to further partnerships and ensure students are aware of community resources and programs
Work to ensure that the college is in compliance with Federal and State Law in regards to sexual violence educational initiatives, including first-year orientation and student athlete training

Student Affairs Generalist

Collaborate with the Director of the REWT to develop an end of the year report on accomplishments and recommendations for the program and campus/community program stakeholders
Contribute to relevant reports, including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 Biennial Report and the College's Clery report, and keep records of programs and evaluations of all initiatives
Oversee budget and other administrative tasks as required
Collaborate with the Orientation Implementation Committee to integrate a positive framework that reduces the risk of harm associated with health behaviors for new students
Maintain and develop skills via participation in continuing education opportunities, membership in professional associations, attendance at conferences, 5-College meetings, regional organizations and committees, and New England Health Educators Network (NEHEN) meetings
Advise student groups as requested
Works to ensure that the college is in compliance with relevant federal and state laws
Contributes to the REWT website, social media accounts, and other communication platforms as appropriate
Serve on committees and task forces as appointed/assigned

Qualifications:

Required

Master's degree required in Health Education, Public Health, Health Promotion, Community Health, Higher Education Administration, or related field
At least two years of experience in college health, health promotion, prevention, student affairs administration, community health, leadership development, and/or training and technical experience in the aforementioned areas desired
Experience working in Higher Education is preferred
Experience working with and creating content that will engage a diverse community
Program planning, including needs assessment, evaluation, and facilitation
Strong time-management, organizational, verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
Robust understanding of academic priorities, the educational mission of institutions, and ways in which on-campus living/learning communities and functions can promote student engagement, advance student learning, and contribute to achieving desired learning goals
Commitment to working with a diverse and inclusive community

Preferred

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) or similar
Developing, facilitating, and coordinating educational programs for college students and professionals
Substance abuse prevention, sexual violence prevention, or other related work with college-age students
Developing educational and communication tools, e.g. web, print, and social media
Peer education facilitation, training, and assessment
Experience, certification or training in Brief Alcohol Screening and Interventions for College Students (BASICS), Motivational Interviewing, Cannabis Screening and Interventions for College Students (CASICS), CHOICES, Marijuana Prevention Program (MAP), Tobacco Cessation, and/or Recovery Coaching, Wellbeing or Wellness Coaching, Rape Crisis Counseling or similar

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

To apply, visit https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Amherst_Jobs/job/Amherst-Campus/Wellbeing-Educator_JR5598-1