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Penn State Job Catalog

Health and Wellness Specialist – Intermediate Professional (PSU1282)

Additional Levels

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

Job Strings

Job Summary and Representative Duties

The Health and Wellness Specialist develops, implements, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates comprehensive health promotion, prevention, and wellness initiatives that support student success, well-being, and a healthy campus community; utilizing evidence-based health promotion theory, public health frameworks, and student development principles, the Specialist designs educational programs, prevention strategies, outreach initiatives, and health communication campaigns that encourage healthy decision-making and reduce health risks; collaborates with students, faculty, staff, campus partners, and community organizations to address a broad range of wellness topics, including substance use prevention, hazing prevention, mental and emotional well-being, nutrition, sexual health, recovery support, violence prevention, bystander intervention, and other emerging health concerns; supports assessment, strategic planning, peer education programs, and continuous improvement efforts to advance institutional wellness priorities.

  • Develop, implement, coordinate, and evaluate evidence-based health promotion, prevention, and wellness programs, services, and initiatives that support student health, well-being, and academic success
  • Design and deliver educational programs, workshops, presentations, outreach activities, and health communication campaigns utilizing public health principles, behavior change theory, and research-based best practices
  • Develop and implement prevention strategies addressing topics such as alcohol and drug use, hazing, recovery support, nutrition, sexual health, mental and emotional well-being, tobacco cessation, violence prevention, bystander intervention, and other student wellness priorities
  • Apply public health and prevention science frameworks to develop individual, environmental, and system-level strategies that promote healthy behaviors and reduce health risks across diverse student populations
  • Provide individual health education, wellness coaching, consultation, and referrals to students while maintaining appropriate documentation and confidentiality in accordance with University policies and applicable regulations
  • Lead, coordinate, and assess peer health education programs, including recruitment, selection, training, supervision, scheduling, mentoring, and ongoing professional development of peer educators
  • Develop training curricula, educational resources, facilitation guides, and outreach materials that prepare peer educators and student leaders to deliver effective health promotion programming
  • Collaborate with academic departments, student organizations, athletics, fraternity and sorority life, residence life, orientation programs, recreation, counseling, healthcare providers, and other campus partners to develop coordinated prevention and wellness initiatives
  • Build collaborative partnerships with University departments, community agencies, and external organizations to support comprehensive health promotion and prevention efforts
  • Assess student needs and campus health trends through data collection, program evaluation, surveys, and research; utilize findings to improve programs and inform strategic planning
  • Develop measurable learning outcomes, evaluate program effectiveness, analyze participation and assessment data, and prepare reports that demonstrate program impact and support continuous improvement
  • Contribute to departmental strategic planning, quality improvement initiatives, annual goals, and assessment activities that align with University and Student Affairs priorities
  • Develop, maintain, and update departmental procedures, educational materials, program resources, and health communication content to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with current evidence-based practices
  • Monitor emerging public health research, higher education trends, and professional standards to ensure programs remain innovative, inclusive, and responsive to evolving student needs
  • Coordinate prevention programming during high-risk periods and support University-wide awareness campaigns, educational requirements, and health promotion initiatives
  • Maintain accurate program records, referral documentation, participation data, and required databases while ensuring compliance with applicable University policies and privacy regulations
  • May supervise staff, including responsibility for hiring, performance management, coaching, and professional development

Level Matrix

Level:
– Intermediate Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers or volunteers
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– May validate and pay invoices
Problem Solving:
– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of larger unit goals, priorities, and related procedures in determining course of action
Independence of Action:
– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 7
  • Minimum – $49,188.00
  • MidPoint – $60,216.00
  • Maximum – $71,340.00
Critical Skills
  • Consulting
  • Curriculum Development
  • Data management
  • Needs analysis
  • Networking
  • Operations management
  • Program evaluation
  • Program management
  • Scheduling
FLSA Exemption Status
Exempt
Minimum Education
Master's Degree
Minimum Experience
1+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience accepted