Substance Use and Behavioral Health Specialist

Iowa State University’s Division of Student Affairs, Student Wellness team is seeking a Substance Use and Behavioral Health Specialist to advance student health and wellbeing through strategic communication, data-informed storytelling, and health promotion initiatives.

About the role

This full-time, 12-month position focuses on alcohol, substance use, and process/behavioral addiction prevention, recovery, and education. Occasional weekend and evening hours are required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver substance use prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction programs for students.
• Coordinate and support the Collegiate Recovery Program, including student outreach, recovery coaching, and community-building initiatives.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate health promotion and educational programs related to alcohol, substance use, and behavioral addictions.
• Facilitate BASICS and CASICS interventions for self-referred students.
• Collaborate with campus and community partners to advance prevention, recovery, and wellness initiatives.
• Lead campus-wide substance use prevention and recovery projects and training programs.
• Coordinate naloxone education, distribution, and evaluation efforts.
• Develop and deliver presentations, workshops, and educational content for students, faculty, and staff.
• Collect, analyze, and report program data to support compliance, assessment, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaborate on marketing and communication strategies that promote wellness and recovery resources.
• Support broader Student Wellness initiatives, including mental health, violence prevention, basic needs, and other public health initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and applicable confidentiality, privacy, and risk-management requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three years of related experience.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialized training or coursework in substance use prevention or recovery support (e.g., alcohol, substances, and/or behavioral addictions).
• Training or certification in Recovery Coaching, Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS), or similar prevention credential.
• Experience facilitating workshops, presentations, and health-promotion training.
• Experience applying motivational interviewing techniques.
• Experience using tools such as Smartsheet and/or Qualtrics.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental.
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans.
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa).
• Life insurance and long-term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellbeing program.
• WorkFlex options for flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work.

Application review begins August 17, 2026; position remains open until filled.