AY Wellness Center Peer Educator (WS-ST1)

St. Olaf College•Northfield, MN

18h•Onsite

About The Position

A Wellness Center Peer Educator is a student employee of the Wellness Center who promotes awareness and education on balanced choices to St. Olaf College students through monthly presentations and outreach events. Additionally, each Peer Educator holds office hours with the goal of creating a trusting and welcoming space for students to have safe and private conversations. Peer Educators are divided into five teams around the topics of Substance Wellbeing, Emotional Wellbeing, Physical Wellbeing, Sexual Wellbeing, and Sexual Respect under which they will coordinate to provide a variety of relevant presentations. Peer Educators also collaborate with offices on campus and other student organizations to plan wellness programs that are most relevant to the St. Olaf student body. In general, Wellness Center Peer Educators work approximately five to six hours a week for the Wellness Center. These five to six hours typically include the following: Office Hours – Work in the Wellness Center office for two one-hour office shifts a week and pick up shifts as needed. Weekly Wellness Center Staff Meeting – Attend and contribute to the mandatory weekly staff meeting with all Peer Educators on Thursdays from 11am–12:30pm. Peer One-on-One Meetings – At the request of students, provide peer one-on-one support on topics related to the nine areas of wellness. Check-In Meetings – Meet individually with the Associate Director for Wellness and Health Promotions twice a semester. Wellness Events/Presentations – Facilitate one to two educational programs a month for the campus community. Program Requests – When available, sign up to present to a group on campus who has requested a specific program from the Wellness Center. Bonding – Attend mandatory team bonding events three to four times a semester and help to create positive team relationships.

Requirements

Willingness to continually develop knowledge related to all areas of wellness.
Desire to work on a team and independently at times.
Present with genuine sensitivity and concern for others as individuals, as well as a personal and professional commitment that goes beyond outlined responsibilities.
Strong communication skills.
Good academic and disciplinary standing with the college.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to applicants who will be on campus for both the fall and spring semesters (this does not include Interim).

Responsibilities

Create change in the community by teaching peers about balanced lifestyle strategies, harm-reduction techniques, and decision-making skills.
Create and present one to two one-hour educational programs every month related to their wellness team.
Present to new students during New Student Orientation and/or to other groups throughout the year.
Provide one-on-one support to help students who have questions or need guidance while at St. Olaf, typically during office hours. These topics can include (but are not limited to) homesickness, roommates, concerns about friends, coming out, consent, and general health and well-being questions.
Serve as mentors and teachers in the community. As such, Peer Educators are expected to abide by all College policies and make balanced and informed decisions.
Submit weekly reports, monthly session reports, and peer support reports.
Assist the Wellness Center with duties related to effective office management, such as distributing toilet talks, hanging posters, etc.
Create social media content, transferring a presentation into a toilet talk, tabling at specific events on campus, and helping to facilitate the PAW Program.