Health Promotion Specialist

CSU Careers•Sacramento, CA

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Director of CARES, Basic Needs & Wellness in Student Health and Counseling & Wellness Services (SHCWS), the Health Promotion Specialist develops, implements, plans, and evaluates health education programs and initiatives that promote student well-being and healthy lifestyle choices within the university community. The specialist collaborates with university departments, student organizations, external partners, the Health and Wellness Promotion department team, SHCWS staff, and campus partners to coordinate the Peer Health Educator Program, provide student health education, and advance campus policy, systems, and environmental changes that support wellness. The role provides leadership in identifying goals and addressing short- and long-term campus health promotion needs. It develops evidence-based programs tailored to the university community, applying health promotion best practices to support student well-being and academic success, reduce stigma and barriers to health services, and encourage positive health behaviors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Science, or another related field, or equivalent in an approved program in health education or a related health field.
Equivalent to two years of progressively responsible health education experience, or a combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
Professional experience developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating health education programs and activities.
Knowledge of major college health issues, including sexuality and reproductive health, sexual and dating violence, alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse, and mental health.
Knowledge of health promotion, behavior change, and public health theories and models; evidence-informed programs; and environmental change strategies and the socio-ecological model.
Skill in developing and facilitating educational methods such as presentations, workshops, trainings, individual behavior change sessions, and small-group discussions.
Commitment to diversity, health equity, cultural competence, and working in a multicultural environment.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including teamwork and collaboration with diverse partners and stakeholders.
Ability to become a certified trainer in the NASPA Peer Educator Certification curriculum.
Organizational skills to maintain accurate and efficient materials, information, projects, and records.
Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, electronic medical record systems, standard software, web-based project management tools such as Asana, and audio/visual equipment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment.
Satisfactory completion of the background check process.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Science, or another related field.
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Experience supervising, training, instructing, and mentoring students or student assistant employees in a university or college environment.
Experience reviewing professional and academic literature related to health and wellness promotion, especially among college students.
Experience applying health promotion, behavior change, and public health theories and models; evidence-informed programs; and policy, systems, and environmental change strategies to a student population.
Experience gathering, compiling, and synthesizing information for strategic program planning and evaluation.
Experience identifying funding opportunities and applying for and managing grants.
Certified trainer in the NASPA Peer Educator Certification curriculum, or ability to obtain certification.

Responsibilities

Develop, plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate evidence-based health education programs and initiatives tailored to the needs and interests of the university community.
Coordinate the Peer Health Educator Program in collaboration with the Health and Wellness Promotion team, SHCWS staff, and campus partners.
Deliver student health education and promote campus policy, systems, and environmental changes that support student wellness.
Identify goals and address short- and long-term campus health promotion needs using health promotion best practices.
Assess needs, establish or recommend program priorities and goals, and develop plans to achieve them.
Collect, compile, chart, analyze, and synthesize data and information for program planning and evaluation.
Plan, organize, conduct, or oversee health education activities, including discussion groups and workshops.
Develop educational materials and media, including print, audio, video, and electronic materials.
Select, train, supervise, and evaluate student staff.
Collaborate with university departments, student organizations, external partners, stakeholders, and community groups.