Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Prevention Specialist

The University of Virginia's Student Health and Wellness Center is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Prevention Specialist to join our team. This position plays a pivotal role in empowering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to achieve their health and wellness goals through evidence-based prevention and health promotion strategies.

As a member of the Well-being professional staff team within Student Health and Wellness, the AOD Prevention Specialist will design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive public health initiatives. Core focus areas include alcohol and other drug prevention, healthy relationships, upstander intervention, and holistic well-being. This role is vital in fostering sustainable behavior change and promoting lifelong wellness across the student population.

Key Success Measures
Program Development, Implementation, and Evaluation

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate health promotion programs and events as part of a strategic approach to substance use prevention.
• Lead initiatives that address the intersection of alcohol use, interpersonal violence, and community well-being.
• Design and manage social marketing campaigns that promote healthy behaviors and prevention strategies across diverse student demographics.
• Collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to assess program impact and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Substance Use and Recovery Services on reporting outcomes and demonstrating program success.
• Participate in evening and weekend events as needed to support student engagement.

Early Intervention and Individual Support

• Conduct individual sessions using motivational interviewing, BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students), and wellness coaching methodologies.
• Use SMART goals and assessment tools to track student progress and develop tailored wellness plans.
• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) system.
• Support students in areas such as stress management, sleep hygiene, AOD harm reduction, and healthy relationship building.
• Serve as an on-call backup to support interpersonal violence advocacy services when necessary.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

• Foster partnerships with university and community stakeholders to create a multidisciplinary approach to student wellness.
• Recruit, train, and mentor Graduate Assistants and interns supporting prevention and wellness initiatives.
• Collaborate with peer education groups, student organizations, and volunteers to co-create and deliver engaging prevention programs, including harm reduction and bystander intervention.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners to promote a unified approach to student well-being.
• Connect with peer institutions to share and adopt best practices in collegiate health promotion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree, degree in Health Promotion, Public Health, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Two years in health education, wellness coaching, or a related area.
• Experience working with diverse student populations and addressing health disparities is highly valued.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, or a closely related field.
• Experience:

o 2-3 years of experience in college health promotion, mental health, or wellness education.
o Training in motivational interviewing, positive psychology, wellness coaching, BASICS, or strengths-based approaches.
o Demonstrated use of behavior change theories in program design and delivery.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to lead presentations, training sessions, small group discussions, and one-on-one coaching.
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and engage diverse audiences.
• Deep understanding of health behavior change theory and emerging wellness trends.
• Skilled in handling sensitive topics with empathy, professionalism, and discretion.
• Experience supporting individuals who may have experienced trauma.

This position presents a unique opportunity to shape a culture of well-being at UVA, supporting students in making informed, health-conscious decisions that enhance their academic success and personal development.

About the Position:

The anticipated salary range is $62,000-70,000 annually commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is an exempt-level position with UVa benefits . Employees’ benefits package highlights include:

• 22 days of paid time off, increasing with service; 13+ paid holidays each year, in addition to paid time off
• Parental and Community Service Leave
• Health plan with options to meet healthcare and financial needs available immediately
• Competitive retirement benefits
• Tuition and professional development benefits after six months
• Employee wellness program featuring activities to earn up to $500/year.

For more information about UVA please click here ; for information about the Charlottesville community please see Charlottesville & Beyond and Embark . The University will perform background and drug screens on all new hires to the Department of Student Health and Wellness prior to employment. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

To Apply:

Please apply through the UVA Job Board . Internal applicants please apply through Workday, search 'find jobs.' The position is open until filled, but to assure full consideration, candidates are encouraged to have complete applications submitted by May 23, 2025 . Requested application materials include a letter of interest or cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae. References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. A minimum of three references is required. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas . For questions about the application process, please contact Michele Jarman , Academic Recruiter.

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.