Penn State Job Catalog

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.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Student Wellness 

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:

– Advanced Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 8
• Minimum – $54,060.00
• MidPoint – $66,252.00
• Maximum – $78,444.00

• Consulting
• Curriculum Development
• Data management
• Needs analysis
• Networking
• Operations management
• Program evaluation
• Program management
• Scheduling