Health Promotion Specialist (Health Educator)

Well-being & Health Promotion at San Diego State University is seeking a Health Promotion Specialist to develop and deliver student-centered programs focused on alcohol and other substance misuse prevention. This position will help students make informed, lower-risk decisions through education, outreach, harm reduction strategies, Narcan training, presentations, workshops, and connections to health and wellness resources.

This interactive, student-facing role engages with students across campus rather than working primarily from a desk. The Health Promotion Specialist supports alcohol and other substance misuse prevention, along with a range of wellness, health literacy, and healthy lifestyle topics. Through planning, implementing, and evaluating prevention programs; creating educational materials and presentations; teaching or supporting Peer Health Education programming; and collaborating with campus departments, student organizations, community partners, and other stakeholders, this position promotes a healthy SDSU campus environment.

• →Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-informed alcohol and other substance misuse prevention programs, campaigns, workshops, presentations, and outreach activities.
• →Provide student-facing outreach and education across campus, including presentations, guest lectures, seminars, health fairs, and other interactive programs.
• →Develop and deliver harm reduction education on key health topics affecting college students, including alcohol and other drug use, in ways that are accessible and relevant.
• →Plan and coordinate health promotion initiatives by establishing goals, identifying program priorities, developing timelines, and organizing resources and materials.
• →Collect and analyze information to assess student needs, evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
• →Support SDSU Well Being and Health Promotion initiatives by addressing topics such as nutrition, sexual health, sleep, stress management, tobacco education, recovery, health literacy, and wellness.
• →Collaborate with other Health Education Specialists, campus departments, faculty, staff, student organizations, community groups, and other partners to support wellness programming and strengthen prevention efforts on campus.
• →Support department priorities and emerging needs by contributing to special events, health promotion initiatives, public health response efforts, and other projects as assigned.

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position. 
• This appointment is for an 11/12 pay-plan position. The incumbent works 11 months per year and is paid over 12 months, with June as the anticipated off month.
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. 
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, but may vary based on operational needs.
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 1 day per week, following a training period during which on-site presence is required.

Well-being and Health Promotion supports the holistic well-being of SDSU students through one-on-one and group education, community programs, campaigns, partnerships and collaborations. Staffed with a knowledgeable team of health education professionals, interns, and peer educators, the department’s goal is to support students with all aspects of their health and well-being, including nutrition, alcohol and other drug use, sleep, healthy relationships, sexual health, violence prevention, recovery support and community, healthcare coverage support, as well as accessing resources on campus and in the community. 

For more information regarding SDSU Well-being and Health Promotion, click here.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in an approved program in health education or a related health field. 
• Equivalent to one to two years of progressively responsible health education experience 
• Or combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities.

• Demonstrated knowledge of health education theories, prevention strategies, and best practices for planning, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs—particularly in higher education or community settings.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering health education programs, workshops, training, or outreach initiatives for diverse audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to facilitate discussions, present information clearly, and collaborate effectively with students, colleagues, and campus partners.
• Experience assessing needs, using data and feedback to inform program priorities, and contributing to evaluation and continuous improvement efforts.
• Proficiency with digital tools and web-based platforms for program delivery, communication, and reporting, while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with applicable laws and policies. 
• Experience with harm reduction strategies related to the use of alcohol and other drugs.
• Experience with programming around the prevention of alcohol and other drug-related consequences.

• Masters in Public Health or a related field.
• Two years experience working in a university health setting or similar.
• Experience with harm reduction strategies related to the use of alcohol and other drugs. 
• Two years of progressive health education and/or prevention programming experience. 
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification.

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

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All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.