Health Promotion Specialist, Substance Use & Recovery

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Building: John Jay Hall
• Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director, Direct Services, the Health Promotion Specialist (HPS) will provide daily oversight of all recovery and substance use prevention and education initiatives. This position will supervise graduate and undergraduate student staff and will work with the Director to provide planning, implementation, and evaluation for substance use and recovery initiatives, including BASICS, tobacco cessation, naloxone training, recovery support, and substance-related workshops and trainings. The HPS will work collaboratively across Columbia Health and Columbia University to meet the needs of all students. This is an essential, on-site role with some evening and weekend hours required. Some hybrid work options may be considered.

Responsibilities

Substance Use Education and Prevention (50%)

• In partnership with the Director, oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of theory- and evidence-informed substance use education and prevention initiatives.
• Assume functional and procedural supervision, including recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, training, scheduling, and oversight of BASICS Provider(s).
• In partnership with the Director, identify and facilitate professional development for team members on alcohol, nicotine, other drugs, naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and BASICS, including assessing the needs of staff and managing trainings in collaboration with other departments.
• Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate workshops and training for students.
• Provide one-on-one and small group substance use education sessions, including BASICS, responsible event host training, Responsible Community @ Columbia workshops, and nicotine cessation.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program including conducting training and coordinating the dissemination of naloxone and fentanyl test strip kits.
• Train student staff in their responsibilities in partnership with the Direct Services team.
• Provide training on substance use, harm reduction, and prevention as needed.
• Develop proposals for new programs, services, and other interventions that are aligned with departmental goals and objectives and the overall campus community.
• In collaboration with the Director and Columbia Health Administration, write and submit grant proposals.
• Serve as a key resource and subject matter expert to campus partners.

Recovery Initiatives (25%)

• In partnership with the Director, oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of theory- and evidence-informed recovery initiatives, including, but not limited to, one-on-one meetings, small group meetings, and opportunities for social connection.
• Develop and maintain relationships with recovery groups within the different schools/colleges at Columbia, including cross-campus collaborations.
• Collaborate within Columbia Health to create streamlined pathways to connect students in recovery to the resources they need.

Administration and Capacity Building (20%)

• Assist the Director with hiring BASICS providers and other members of the Direct Services team.
• Assist the Director with periodic reviews of substance and recovery-related data.
• Assist the Director and Sr. Executive Director with periodic reviews of substance and recovery-related departmental and university policies.
• Assist the Direct Services team with one-on-one and small group educational sessions.
• Write and submit periodic and annual reports on program progress and outcomes, including developing proposals for enhancements or changes as appropriate
• Develop and maintain relationships with numerous constituencies on campus, including, but not limited to, Undergraduate Student Life, University Life, Athletics and Physical Education, Columbia University schools and departments, clinical and other Columbia Health staff, and student organizations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with off-campus partners.
• In partnership with the Director, design and conduct assessment, evaluation, and research studies.
• Serve on committees and task forces and participate in professional group meetings, especially those related to recovery and substance use.

Perform other duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Requires a minimum of 2-3 years of related experience, preferably in planning, implementing, and evaluating evidence- and theory-informed health promotion, substance use, or recovery initiatives.
• Knowledge of substance use and recovery frameworks and theory ability to translate and apply that theory with a university population.
• Knowledge of health promotion theory- and evidence-informed practice, and ability to translate and apply that theory with a university population, and ability to design health promotion initiatives that reflect the social, cultural, political, and economic diversity of students.
• Sound understanding of college students' development issues, health needs, and interests.
• Strong writing, editing, group facilitation, public speaking, and communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented with strong organizational and follow-up skills.
• Strong computer skills required, including PC literacy in a Windows environment, Microsoft Office Suite, and ability to learn technology quickly.
• Some evening and weekend hours required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in health promotion/education, public health, or other closely-related field strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated project management experience.
• CHES/MCHES or CPH certified (or eligible with intent to become certified).
• Tobacco Treatment Specialist.
• Experience providing BASICS.
• Proficiency in Bengali, Cantonese, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese and other languages is a plus.

Other Requirements

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• Applicants requiring current or future visa sponsorship will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.