Assistant Director for Behavioral Health and Risk Reduction

Job Title

Assistant Director for Behavioral Health and Risk Reduction

Department

Student Health Services

Worker Type

Regular

Pay Type

Salary

Position Salary Minimum

$50,000

Position Salary Maximum

$57,000

Salary will be commensurate with the level of the position, education, and experience.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefit Eligible

Yes

Screening Date

2026-07-28

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Director for Risk Reduction provides strategic leadership and coordination of evidence-informed prevention initiatives designed to reduce high-risk behaviors among students. This is a non-clinical, non-therapeutic, prevention-focused role that does not provide counseling or therapy services. Rather, this position advances Miami University’s commitment to student wellbeing and serves as a campus content expert on substance use, problem gambling, hazing, and related risk behaviors. The Assistant Director will work closely with campus and community stakeholders to promote protective factors and healthy decision-making through initiatives and efforts focused on prevention and education, peer-led risk reduction programming, and collaborative town–gown partnerships.

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities

Sanctioned Education & Conduct Collaboration

• Coordinate and facilitate educational sanction classes for students found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct related to substance use, gambling, and hazing.

• Maintain curriculum fidelity and ensure alignment with evidence-based practices.

• Collaborate with the Office of Community Standards, Dean of Students, and other campus partnersto assess trends and inform prevention strategies.

• Track participation, evaluate outcomes, and provide reports as needed.

Substance Use Prevention & Risk Reduction Leadership

• Integrate harm reduction principles into student wellness, mental health promotion, hazing prevention, and campus safety initiatives.

• Lead harm reduction initiatives, including bystander intervention, overdose prevention education, and safer celebration strategies.

• Develop screening, brief intervention, and referral pathways in collaboration with campus partners.

• Utilize state and national resources, such as the College AIM, to inform a comprehensive prevention framework to address substance misuse. 

Problem Gambling Initiatives

• Develop targeted campaigns addressing sports betting, online gambling, and co-occurring risks (substance use, mental health, financial stress).

• Develop screening, referral, and early intervention pathways for students at risk of gambling-related harm.

• Stay current on legislation, policy trends, and best practices in gambling prevention.

Hazing Prevention

• Develop and implement an evidence-informed hazing prevention plan aligned with state and national frameworks, including the Ohio Statewide Educational Plan for Preventing Hazing at Institutions of Higher Education. 

• Collaborate with campus partners to address the multi-faceted nature of hazing prevention, while appropriately referring compliance, investigative, and legal matters to designated offices. 

• Co-chair and coordinate a campus/community committee to  advance collaborative hazing prevention strategies and programming, and promote a culture of safety. 

Peer Education & Student Leadership Support

• Support and co-advise HAWKS Peer Health Educators in the development and facilitation of programs related to substance use, gambling, hazing, and risk reduction.

• Serve as a content expert and provide training, coaching, and curriculum guidance.

• Contribute to student leadership development and program evaluation efforts.

• Supervise graduate assistants, interns, or student staff as assigned.

Campus & Community Partnerships

• Coordinate the MOSAIC town–gown coalition and support community collaboration efforts.

• Partner with campus offices, local agencies, public health entities, and law enforcement.

• Represent the Office of Student Wellness in local, state, and national prevention initiatives.

Assessment, Evaluation & Reporting

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of campus-wide  prevention strategies aligned with public health and prevention science best practices.

• Establish annual goals, priorities, and measurable outcomes aligned with institutional and public health frameworks.

• Conduct needs assessments and analyze campus and community data.

• Evaluate program effectiveness and prepare reports for stakeholders and funders.

• Support grant writing, reporting, and compliance requirements.

• Monitor national research, best practices, and emerging trends to inform programming.

Operations & Divisional Contributions

• Coordinate targeted campus-wide prevention efforts during higher-risk periods during the academic year (e.g., Welcome Week, higher profile athletic events, spring break, Greek Life recruitment and initiation graduation, etc.) to reduce high-risk behaviors and promote student safety

• Provide consultation and training to campus stakeholders on responding to hazing, gambling, and substance-related concerns.

• Support student organizations in implementing risk-reduction and safer event practices.

• Manage program budgets, contracts, and prevention-related funding.

• Support divisional and institutional priorities related to student wellbeing.

• Provide general wellness education and outreach as needed.

• Demonstrate university citizenship through service that supports office, divisional, and institutional priorities (e.g., teaching Student Life supported transition courses, committee membership, event attendance, etc.). 

• Work occasional nights and weekends, as needed.

• Participate as a full team member of OSW, contributing to shared initiatives, identifying the intersectionality of mental health, substance use, hazing, problem gambling, and sexual assault; and supporting all members of the team to celebrate shared success.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of OSW. 

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Required Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in health promotion, education, public health, social work, counseling, or a related field and at least three (3) years of experience in health promotion and prevention programming; OR 

• Master’s degree in health education, public health, social work, counseling, or a related field and at least one (1) year of experience in health promotion and prevention programming. 

• Relevant experience may include internships, student employment, or other related experience (part-time and student roles will be prorated toward total experience). 

• All required qualifications must be met by the start date of the position.

Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• Demonstrated experience working with a traditional college age population for 3 or more years.

• Continued education in the areas of problem gambling prevention, hazing prevention, and/or substance misuse prevention as evidenced by certifications, micro-credentials, professional development completion, professional organization membership, etc. 

• Experience working with a peer education delivery model. 

• Demonstrated experience with program assessment and/or grant implementation.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and evaluate educational programming both independently and through collaboration across departments.

• A thorough understanding of student development, health promotion, behavior change, and population-based theories and models.

• Ability to thrive in a team-based environment that values student-centered approaches, collegiality, and a positive and enthusiastic attitude. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Granting writing experience that may include implementation and reporting requirements.

• Familiarity with online learning platforms, particularly for substance use, gambling, and hazing.

Required Application Documents

resume/CV, cover letter

Special Instructions (if applicable)

none

Additional Information

A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.

Miami University Values Statement
Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560.

Clery Act
As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

Labor Law Posters for Applicants

Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.