Senior Health Promotion Specialist

• 549319
• Morningside
• Columbia Health
• Full Time
• Opening on: Apr 5 2025
• Grade 12
  
  

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• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Building: John Jay Hall
• Salary Range: $75,000 - $83,000
  
  

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Under the leadership of the Director of Direct Services, the Senior (Sr.) Health Promotion Specialist (HPS) will manage and provide oversight for all sexual and reproductive health initiatives. The Sr. HPS will train and supervise graduate and undergraduate student staff and volunteers. This includes a peer advocacy program that conducts one-on-one sexual and reproductive health education and advocacy sessions with students. Additionally, the Sr. HPS will have primary oversight on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of sexual and reproductive health initiatives including sexually transmitted infections prevention, testing, and treatment education; HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment education; pregnancy prevention, testing, and options; and birth control and emergency contraception education. The Sr. HPS will conduct one-on-one sexual and reproductive health education visits and one-on-one gender and sexuality education visits.

This position will build relationships with campus and community partners to streamline connecting students to information and resources to support their well-being. This is an onsite position with the potential for some hybrid work. Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Responsibilities

• Sexual and Reproductive Health (45%)
• In partnership with the Director, oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of theory- and evidence-informed sexual and reproductive health initiatives.
• Serve as a key resource and subject matter expert to Columbia Health and campus partners on topics related to but not limited to sexually transmitted infections prevention and testing; HIV/AIDS prevention, and testing; gender and sexuality; pregnancy prevention, testing, and options; birth control; emergency contraception; pleasure; and communication.
• Identify, maintain, and audit sexual and reproductive health referrals and resources.
• Coordinate with Medical Services to order STI testing, order labs, and order prescriptions as needed.
• Coordinate with Medical Services and CPS to refer students for sexual and reproductive health care as needed.
• Initiate care for individuals on PrEP, gender affirming care, and those being referred to an HIV specialist. Coordinate ongoing care for those requiring regular lab appointments.
• Serve as a primary facilitator of sexual and reproductive health visits and for gender and sexuality visits; cross-train on all other Direct Services appointment types.
• Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate workshops and training on sexual and reproductive health, and gender and sexuality topics for stakeholders (students, faculty, staff, etc.).
• In partnership with the Director, identify and facilitate professional development for Columbia Health team members on sexual and reproductive health topics, including assessing the needs of staff and managing trainings in collaboration with other departments.
• Develop proposals for new initiatives aligned with departmental goals and the campus community.
• Advocate for equity-minded, socially just, and student-centered processes and care.
• Facilitate student referrals across other Columbia Health departments to ensure seamless experience of support resources and services.
• Lead the Sexual & Reproductive Health Committee (SRHC)
• Peer Advocate Program (40%)
• Oversee the planning, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of a peer advocacy program.
• Assume functional and procedural supervision including mentoring, scheduling, evaluation, and daily oversight of the peer advocate program.
• Recruit, interview, and supervise all volunteers and peer leads who provide HIV antibody test education, sexually transmitted infection (STI) education, gender, sexuality, birth control education, and other related services.
• Develop, maintain, evaluate, and update peer advocate training materials as needed.
• Partner with on and off campus experts to conduct peer advocate training.
• Facilitate weekly group supervision sessions with peer advocates.
• Monitor and respond to peer advocate questions in person and on virtual communication channels.
• Supervise part-time graduate student employees.
• Ensure all members of the advocate program complete Columbia Health mandated training.
  
  

• Collaboration and Capacity Building (10%)
• Assist the Director with hiring members of the Direct Services team.
• Assist the Director with periodic reviews of sexual and reproductive health related data, reporting, and policies.
• Write and submit periodic and annual reports on program processes and outcomes.
• In collaboration with the Alice! Health Promotion leadership and Columbia Health Administration, write and submit grant proposals.
• In collaboration with the Alice! Health Promotion leadership and Columbia Health Administration, design and conduct assessment, evaluation, and research studies.
• Support the research, writing, editing, and updating of web-based related content.
• Participate in cross-training and provide cross-coverage for other Direct Services team functions.
• Identify gaps and seek out and develop collaborative relationships with campus and local resources to address the gaps in resources and services.
• In partnership with the Direct Services team, identify opportunities to expand and re-envision existing resources as tools to better support and increase access to services, information, and resources.
• Build and maintain relationships with resources; establish and evaluate a streamlined referral process to ensure students can access appropriate support in a timely manner.
• Build and maintain working relationships with internal stakeholders and local resources in New York City.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders on- and off-campus to contribute to a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to supporting student well-being.
• The Sr. HPS will assist other staff at Alice! Health Promotion and Columbia Health on shared initiatives, as needed.
  

Perform other duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or its equivalent experience required.
• Requires three years of related experience.
• Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential communications with discretion and integrity.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and equity and to serving the needs of a diverse student population with cultural humility and sensitivity.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and respond to individuals in crisis.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions in accordance with established policies and regulations.
• Strong writing, editing, group facilitation, public speaking, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in handling multiple projects simultaneously and prioritizing tasks.
• Organized and detail oriented.
• Strong computer skills, including literacy in a Windows environment, Microsoft Office Suite, electronic medical records, and ability to learn technology quickly.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or advanced degree preferred in public health, health promotion, social work, education, humanities, or other closely related field.
• Demonstrated project management experience.
• Certification through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) or eligible.
• CHES/MCHES or CPH certified or eligible with intent to become certified.
• National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) or Real Balance Certified Wellness & Health Coach (CWHC).
• Training in HIV/AIDS education and counseling.
• Training in gender affirming care education.
• Familiarity with on and off campus support options and New York City service providers. 
• Experience working with college students and a strong interest in higher education.
• Ability to foster positive and productive relationships with all campus constituencies including students, administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Experience working on coalitions or collaborating with individuals and organizations.
• Experience with direct student support including trauma-informed practices and motivational interviewing.
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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