Under general direction of the Associate Director of Health Equity and Wellbeing, the Risk and Prevention Specialist has overall responsibility for project oversight, coordination, and implementation of all alcohol and other drug risk reduction initiatives, including the collegiate recovery program. This position designs and conducts campus-wide risk reduction and health promotion initiatives using environmental management policy and institutional practice change strategies to improve student health status and support student success.
The Risk and Prevention Specialist will focus on best practice models, including harm reduction strategies, sober curiosity approaches, and moderation techniques in recovery. This role requires a comprehensive understanding of health disparities affecting marginalized and underserved populations. The specialist will also emphasize the importance of reducing stigma and fostering inclusion through trauma-informed practices.
Apply By Date November 16, 2026 at 11:59pm, PSTMinimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position - Bachelor's degree in social sciences, health sciences, psychology, public health, counseling, or a related field and or equivalent experience/training
- Experience developing, implementing and assessing health promotion efforts related to collegiate recovery and alcohol and other drug risk reduction initiatives, preferably in a university setting.
- Experience with current and traditional theories of college and community health promotion, environmental change, behavior change and evaluation, and skill to apply them to a college student population.
- Experience and training in Public Health and Health Promotion.
- Experience with community organizing strategies and principles for prompting collective action.
- Demonstrated skills to train and supervise student employees and volunteers.
- Interpersonal skills and political acumen to clearly and effectively interact with individuals of varying ages, cultural backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and perspectives.
Preferred Qualifications - Knowledge of higher education administration, public administration, student development or related field, typically acquired through education and/or equivalent experience.
- Advanced level program planning, implementation and evaluation skills.
- Knowledge of current evidence-informed strategies and theories to change health behaviors and reduce risks, particularly among college students.
- Demonstrated collaboration and negotiation skills.
Key Responsibilities - 40% - Develop and Implement Programs and Interventions at The Individual Community, Organizational and Policy Level
- 20% - Evaluate Effectiveness of Health Promotion Initiatives
- 20% - Conduct Needs Analysis and Research
- 10% - Student Employee Advising & Management
- 10% - Manage, Design Campus Health Communications
Department OverviewStudent Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) provides primary care, mental health, urgent care, laboratory, pharmacy, optometry, health education and counseling services to registered UC Davis students. SHCS serves approximately 300 patients per day during the school year. The mission is to provide campus health and wellness resources that enable students to successfully achieve their academic goals and life-long wellness. SHCS has approximately 160 staff including managers, senior professionals, professional and support staff, student employees, interns and post doc residents.
SHCS is accredited by AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care), IACS (International Association for Counseling Services), and APA (American Psychological Association). For more information on the department, see https://shcs.ucdavis.edu
POSITION INFORMATION - Salary or Pay Range: $78 , 750 /annually - $142 , 380 /annually
- Salary Frequency: Annually
- UC Job Title: HEALTH EDUCATOR 4 SV
- Number of Positions: 1
- Appointment Type: Staff: Career
- Percentage of Time: 100 % - Fixed
- Shift (Work Schedule): Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM
- Location: Davis, CA.
- Union Representation: SV - Student Service Advising Professionals
- Benefits Eligible: Yes
- This position is 100% on-site
BenefitsOutstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees .
- High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
- UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
- Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
- Supplemental insurance offered including additional life , short/long term disability , pet insurance , legal coverage , accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
- Pregnancy and Parental Leave , Family & Medical Leave , Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
- Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
- Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
- On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
- Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
- Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees
Physical Demands - Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours
- Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Environmental Demands - Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Never 0 Hours
- Loud noise levels - Never 0 Hours
- Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Never 0 Hours
- Microwave/Radiation - Never 0 Hours
- Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Never 0 Hours
- Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours
- Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Never 0 Hours
Mental Demands - Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Work EnvironmentUC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
Position may, at times, require employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or infection diseases are present. Position requires signing a statement of understanding of the Dependent Adult & Elder Abuse Reporting Requirement. Services provided at UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services include health care related to birth control education, contraception, pregnancy counseling, emergency contraception, sexual orientation, substance abuse and complementary medicine. It is the expectation that staff working here may need to set aside their personal beliefs and provide care and service that meets patients' needs and beliefs. Work occasional overtime, evenings/weekends.
Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position - This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
- This position is designated as a mandated reporter under CANRA and UC policy, and employment is contingent on compliance with applicable policies, procedures and training requirements
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks
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