Job Description

Ucrew Peer Educators work to create a culture at Ursinus College where students:

• feel safe and supported in the social environment, never judged, or pressured to consume alcohol or other drugs
• thoughtfully consider their own and other’s well-being when making behavioral choices
• consistently step up to help others in need when alcohol or drugs are involved

Peer Educators are a group of trained student leaders who utilize health promotion and harm reduction techniques to educate the campus on issues related to alcohol, and other drugs. The team uses evidence-based and effective strategies within the public health model and community organizing framework to create a welcoming, healthy, and safe campus environment for all.

The successful candidate will become a Nationally Certified Peer Educator (CPE) and undergo many other trainings within the public health model as well as community organizing frameworks to be able to successfully educate the campus community about social health issues impacting college students, specifically substance use and mental health.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop a deep understanding of the social health issues facing college students:
   • Examine evidence-based practices for health promotion and harm reduction related to college-specific social health and wellness including but not limited to health behaviors around alcohol, cannabis, prescription drugs, and vaping, and bystander intervention - and the connection and impact to all dimensions of well-being
   • Determine the educational gaps for students based on national trends and Ursinus’ culture to inform work
   • Host focus groups and conduct other methods of assessment to understand the student body and the effectiveness of the work of the group
   • Create a presentation for CoSA submitted the last week of the spring semester that showcases the work of the group and highlights the impact on the student body’s knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
   • Each Peer Educator will serve on one of the following committees - Reimert Council, Community Standards on Alcohol and other Substances (CSAS) Committee, or Student Government and the team will develop a Student Advisory Committee to build peer-to-peer capacity on campus with other student organizations and leaders
2. Create content for online education and host in-person educational events:
   • Create social norms marketing messages for mass media using statistics provided by National College Health Assessment (NCHA), the Online Required Wellness course, and other data of Ursinus College students
   • Build a social media following through engaging with students online; promote and/or create positive health and wellness messages related to alcohol and other drugs
   • Work with supervisor to update and edit website to include more interactive and engaging content on social health
   • Create short video clips or other online materials with educational messages to be used campus-wide targeting groups such as LGBTQ students, first years, athletes, students in Greek Life, those hosting/attending events with alcohol, abstainers, those in recovery from a substance use disorder, and other specific groups identified
   • Host tabling efforts, workshops, and Kahoot games to educate the community
3. Additionally, each Peer Educator will:
   • Complete National Peer Educator Certification through completing virtual training (as soon as possible after hiring)
   • Attend Event Director Training once a year to understand this process
   • Attend a team meeting once a week and trainings as scheduled
   • Meet with the group advisor to obtain mentorship and discuss projects and plans
   • Serve as a visible role model in the community

Requirements

• Current full-time student at Ursinus College
• Current Ursinus upperclassman studying a field related to health, health promotion, psychology, education and/or marketing or have a passion for the topic area
• Creative by nature with a demonstrated initiative to create and implement new ideas
• Strong media and marketing skills including video editing, website design, and content creation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Open and honest communication

Compensation:

This position is generally 5-7 hours per week throughout the academic semester. The hours are flexible to work within the candidate’s class schedule. The contract is per semester and can be renewed at the beginning of each semester after mutual agreement between supervisor and student is made based on completion of work, continued interest, and ability.

Other Duties:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Job responsibilities and activities may be modified or changed at any time with or without notice. Job descriptions will be audited periodically by the Ursinus Human Resources department to ensure they are up-to-date and reflect the essential responsibilities and duties of the job.

Ursinus EEO Statement

Ursinus is an EEO employer. Ursinus College does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Ursinus College is a selective, independent, co-educational, residential liberal arts college of approximately 1500 students located about 25 miles northwest of center city Philadelphia. With a diverse community of students, it is an expectation of all faculty to contribute to the inclusion, engagement, and success of all students. Ursinus is an *EO/AA employer. Ursinus College does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to employment.