Director of Wellness Education

Description

Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the nation’s leading private liberal arts colleges serving over 2,200 students. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. Known for its strong science, writing, music, athletics, study-away, and service-learning programs, Gustavus is located on a scenic 340-acre hill in St. Peter, Minnesota only one hour southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Wellness Education is responsible for realizing the mission of the GustieWELL, which “strives to infuse wellness into the everyday lifestyles of our students, through the promotion of personal responsibility, positive social norms, and campus engagement.” The individual in this position is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive wellness education and prevention program that includes, but is not limited to, bystander intervention, skills training, community engagement, social marketing, and a variety of other evidence-informed interventions. This salaried (exempt) position is 11 months per year, with twenty off-contract days to be used between June 1 and August 15.  Some evening and weekend work is required. Option to work one day per week remotely.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Education and Programming:

• Cultivate a campus environment in which students feel educated and empowered to make healthy and responsible choices that contribute to their overall personal and academic success.
• Oversee the needs assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of theory and evidence-based health promotion strategies, policies, programs, and services for the campus.
• Collaborate with other staff and students to sponsor, promote, advise, and/or coordinate substance-free activities for the campus targeting late nights, weekends, and specific high-risk dates and events at the college.
• Coordinate and implement risk reduction training for all incoming first year students consisting of both a summer online module and new student orientation programming.
• Promote and track use of “Learn to Live” online platform, which offers complimentary, self-paced programs based on cognitive behavioral therapy practices.

Advising:

• Select, train, advise, and evaluate the Peer Assistants. This group of elite student leaders is dedicated to promoting a culture of well-being by providing quality wellness education and resources that support and enhance the lifestyles of our students. Areas of focus include chemical health, mental health & stress management, healthy relationships, sleep, and nutrition & physical activity.
• Prepare the Peer Assistants to become certified peer health educators through NASPA/BACCHUS.
• Train the Peer Assistants to present information and curriculum to individuals and groups via initiatives like CHOICES, Thrive in Five, and Project 21.
• Chaperone the Peer Assistants annually to the national NASPA/BACCHUS convention. 

Student Support:

• Utilize motivational interviewing techniques and other evidence-based intervention methods to assist students in health-related behavior change, in both one-on-one and group settings.
• Coordinate and work collaboratively with off-campus agencies and professionals to support students’ chemical health needs (i.e., assessment, treatment, etc.).
• Collaborate with the Dean of Students office in providing education for students referred through the conduct system for substance use policy violations.

Leadership:

• Spearhead goal setting, strategic planning, and comprehensive assessment for the department.
• Hire and supervise student employees and interns for GustieWELL.
• Manage the department and Peer Assistant budgets, approximately $100,000.
• Prepare and disseminate an annual notification and biennial review as required by the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA).