Health Prevention Specialist

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

The Health Prevention Specialist reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Wellness and is responsible for mobilizing, creating, and sustaining progressive campus-wide health promotion practices for a culturally diverse student population. Priorities for this position include onboarding the new campus wide Sexual Violence Prevention curriculum, CHECK-IT, that includes hiring and training peer educators. In addition, this position will collaborate with campus partners to offer workshops and campus campaigns that create an environment that promotes student success and overall wellness, personal development and personal health literacy. The Specialist should have a strong background in wellness topics such as Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention, Substance Abuse and Misuse Prevention, Stress Management, Mental Health, and Physical Health. This position is exempt from mandatory reporting under Title IX, and conversations with students, staff and faculty are protected.

Principal Accountabilities

Curriculum & Program Implementation (45%)

• Lead implementation of the CHECK-IT curriculum as part of the campus-wide Sexual Violence Prevention Program.
• Support and collaborate with wellness peer educators to help them achieve programming goals.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate theory-based and evidence-informed health promotion strategies, policies, programs, and services.
  
  

Collaboration & Outreach (40%)

• Collaborate with key campus stakeholders, including student organizations involved in wellness initiatives, to develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to health for students.
• Plan and implement an annual campus-wide wellness fair focusing on equity in health education and programming.
• Incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and social justice into all aspects of health promotion services.
  
  

Program Development (15%)

• Develop strategic plans, goals, and measurable objectives for student-centered, inclusive and culturally responsive health promotion initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and analyze periodic student health surveys to:
• Provide baseline and follow-up data,
• Identify program needs and priorities with an equity-centered lens,
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services,
• Track trends in student health status and behavior.
  

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

• Knowledge of the ACHA Standards of Practice for Health Promotion in Higher Education (SPHPHE).
• Knowledge of health promotion, behavior change, and population-based theories and models.
• Knowledge of evidence-informed health promotion programs and initiatives.
• Ability to conceptualize health promotion in the context of higher education.
• Quantitative and qualitative research skills (e.g., research design, survey development, environmental assessment, focus group design and facilitation, data analysis and interpretation, etc.).
• Skilled in gathering, compiling, and synthesizing information to develop health promotion initiatives and educational materials for a diverse group of students.
• Ability to deliver cost-effective, evidence-informed programs that have a high likelihood of achieving measurable improvements in health behaviors and status and/or enhanced student success.
• Willingness and flexibility to gain knowledge of, develop expertise in, and design and implement health promotion programs on a variety of key health issues based on needs assessment results.
• Demonstrated skills in a variety of educational methods including presentations, workshops, trainings, individual behavior change sessions, and small group discussion/facilitation.
• Strong written/oral/interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively manage student staff or volunteers.
• Proficient in a variety of computer software applications (e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, PowerPoint, and statistical software).
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, social justice, and cultural competence and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to actively and positively contribute to Whitman’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and access.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, manage time efficiently, and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to provide leadership and problem-solving skills in analyzing health promotion needs of emerging adults, especially college students.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student development theories and models.
• Familiarity with social marketing and health communications strategies.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in health education, public health, community health, social services, behavioral sciences, education, or a closely related field.
• 2+ years of related health promotion work experience.
• Experience conducting needs assessments and using results to guide programmatic decisions.
• Experience conducting literature reviews and program evaluations, interpreting findings, and developing plans to programmatically and strategically respond to the findings.
• OR a combination of relevant education, training, and experience.
  
  

Whitman College values diverse pathways to acquiring skills and knowledge and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their background aligns with the role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or advanced degree. Most relevant degree areas include public health, health promotion, health policy, or health education. Degrees in other fields may be considered with evidence of sufficient university-level coursework and/or professional continuing education in the areas listed above.
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), or Certified in Public Health (CPH), or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
• Experience working in a college/university setting.
• History of verified active membership in relevant professional associations (e.g., ACHA, APHA, NASPA, SOPHE, etc.) and willing to be an active member of at least one relevant professional organization.
  
  

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.

403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.

Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.

Tuition Remission – Dependent Children

Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.

Employee Assistance Program

Relocation assistance for eligible employees.

Learn More About Benefits Eligibility Here.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin on July 7, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

August 2025