AY Wellness Center Peer Educator (WS-ST1)

Job Title: Wellness Center Peer Educator

Classification: Student Employee (non-exempt)

Name and Address of Employer: St. Olaf College 1520 St. Olaf Ave Northfield MN 55057

If the position requires the student to work off campus provide the name and address here:

Department Name: Wellness Center

Unit Number (5 digits): 15117

Length of Position: Full Academic Year

Contact Person/Supervisor: Associate Director of Wellness and Health Promotion

Pay Rate: $12.00-13.00/hour

Description of the Position (Purpose of the Position):

A Wellness Center Peer Educator is a student employee of the Wellness Center who promotes awareness and education on balanced choices to St. Olaf College students through monthly presentations and outreach events. Additionally each Peer Educator holds office hours with the goal of creating a trusting and welcoming space for students to have safe and private conversations. Peer Educators are divided into five teams around the topics of Substance Wellbeing Emotional Wellbeing Physical Wellbeing Sexual Wellbeing and Sexual Respect under which they will coordinate to provide a variety of relevant presentations. Peer Educators also collaborate with offices on campus and other student organizations to plan wellness programs that are most relevant to the St. Olaf student body.

In general Wellness Center Peer Educators work approximately five to six hours a week for the Wellness Center. These five to six hours typically include the following:

• Office Hours Work in the Wellness Center office for two one-hour office shifts a week and pick up shifts as needed.

• Weekly Wellness Center Staff Meeting Attend and contribute to the mandatory weekly staff meeting with all Peer Educators on Thursdays from 11am12:30pm.

• Peer One-on-One Meetings At the request of students provide peer one-on-one support on topics related to the nine areas of wellness.

• Check-In Meetings Meet individually with the Associate Director for Wellness and Health Promotions twice a semester.

• Wellness Events/Presentations Facilitate one to two educational programs a month for the campus community.

• Program Requests When available sign up to present to a group on campus who has requested a specific program from the Wellness Center.

• Bonding Attend mandatory team bonding events three to four times a semester and help to create positive team relationships.

Transferable Skills:

Leadership
Time Management
Program Planning
Organization
Communication
Collaboration
Flexibility

Wellness Center Peer Educators have many important roles and responsibilities within the Wellness Center. The following describes the most common position responsibilities:

Community Education Create change in the community by teaching peers about balanced lifestyle strategies harm-reduction techniques and decision-making skills. Each Peer Educator is responsible for creating and presenting one to two one-hour educational programs every month related to their wellness team. Peer Educators also have the opportunity to present to new students during New Student Orientation and/or to other groups throughout the year.

Professional Development In order to effectively do the job Peer Educators are given ample training to ensure they feel confident and equipped to be a resource and mentor on campus. This includes weekly professional development throughout the academic year. Peer Educators are paid for all training. It is expected that Peer Educators attend all training including:

• Meet Current Wellness Center Team: TBD

• Bonding Dates: TBD after hire

• Asynchronous Training (10 hours)

• New Student Orientation & Fall Training: Full time for one week before NSO actual date TBD after hire

• Mental Health First Aid: TBD after hire

Peer Coaching Provide one-on-one support to help students who have questions or need guidance while at St. Olaf typically during office hours. These topics can include (but are not limited to) homesickness roommates concerns about friends coming out consent and general health and well-being questions.

Role Modeling Serve as mentors and teachers in the community. As such Peer Educators are expected to abide by all College policies and make balanced and informed decisions.

Administrative Submit weekly reports monthly session reports and peer support reports as part of the addition assist the Wellness Center with duties related to effective office management such as distributing toilet talks hanging posters etc.

Other Responsibilities Throughout the year other projects or duties for the Wellness Center may be assigned. Examples of previous projects include creating social media content transferring a presentation into a toilet talk tabling at specific events on campus and helping to facilitate the PAW Program.

Qualifications (Education/Experience/Skills):

• Willingness to continually develop knowledge related to all areas of wellness.

• Desire to work on a team and independently at times.

• Present with genuine sensitivity and concern for others as individuals as well as a personal and professional commitment that goes beyond outlined responsibilities.

• Strong communication skills.

• Good academic and disciplinary standing with the college.

• Preference will be given to applicants who will be on campus for both the fall and spring semesters (this does not include Interim).

This job description is for general information purposes. It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position. This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College with or without prior notice.