Jobs at Western

Substance Abuse Training and Education Coordinator

Apply now Work type: Permanent Full Time
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: Student Affairs

Position Title Substance Abuse Training and Education Coordinator
About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department Health Promotion & Resilience supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

Our Mission

The Mission of Health Promotion & Resilience is to facilitate student success and psychological well-being through culturally sensitive services, outreach, and training. We support the professional development of our staff and strive to embody the wellness we promote within the campus community.

Diversity Statement:

At Western Washington University, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that embracing diversity in all its forms—including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and more—enables us to better serve our commitment to student success, critical thought, creativity, sustainability, equity, justice, and respect for the rights and dignity of others We are committed to equal employment opportunities and to creating an environment where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential.

About the Position

The Substance Abuse Training and Education Coordinator, with a focus on prioritizing Opioid Training and Education, will oversee the development, implementation, and management of educational initiatives aimed at addressing substance use including opioid use, misuse, and prevention. This position will focus on harm reduction and prevention. The coordinator will work collaboratively across university departments, state agencies, and community organizations to create sustainable education and prevention programs that prioritize campus and community safety.

This position upholds the university’s mission of treating all community members with respect and dignity, as well as pursuing justice and equity in their practices.

This is a permanent, full-time 10-month position.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development and Management (30%)

  • Develop and implement comprehensive prevention education and distribution of harm reduction and overdose prevention tools, such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, breathalyzers, and other resources
  • Build relationships with and provide support for student-led recovery groups and initiatives on campus, as they emerge
  • Ensure program compliance with Washington State Bill HB2112 and university policies, including providing annual training to residence halls and providing information about these topics on the website
  • Monitor and evaluate program outcomes, making evidence-based adjustments to enhance effectiveness.

Collaboration and Outreach (25%)

  • Partner with university departments, state agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations to promote awareness and education about the risks and impact of substance use
  • Collaborate with colleagues who coordinate intersecting prevention and health promotion efforts
  • Develop strategies to increase campus-wide engagement with opioid overdose prevention training and other prevention efforts.
  • Organize and lead community outreach efforts, such as workshops, seminars, and public speaking engagements.
  • Answer phone calls/correspondence, respond to informational inquiries and/or clarification of program policy/procedure.

Training and Education (25%)

  • Develop and distribute educational materials on substance misuse, prevention, and overdose response.
  • Conduct training sessions for diverse audiences, including healthcare providers, educators, and students.
  • Provide training to residence hall staff members annually on substance use harm reduction and overdose response
  • Stay informed on current research and best practices in substance and addiction education, incorporating these into program offerings.

Reporting and Compliance (20%)

  • Maintain accurate documentation of program activities and training efforts in compliance with HB2112.
  • Prepare reports on program outcomes and compliance for university leadership and external stakeholders.
  • Ensure all training and educational activities align with university policies and HB2112 requirements.
  • Monitor budget for program activities related to their program priorities.
  • Perform related duties as required.
Required Qualifications
  • High school graduate or equivalent.
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite, including Outlook, Word and Excel.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of substance abuse prevention related issues, including work in the AOD community
  • One year of experience or (education equivalent) in AOD program development and/or coordination in healthcare, education or public health setting.
  • Program management and leadership skills
  • Demonstrated ability to efficiently organize and prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work independently with attention to detail.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
  • Ability to find creative solutions, problem-solve, and organize communities around complex and intersecting public health issues
  • Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse populations, including students, faculty, administrative leadership, and external stakeholders
  • Provide services in a positive and inclusive manner that supports the inclusivity and equity objectives of the campus community
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, or a related field.
  • Three years' experience in program development or coordination in a healthcare, education, nonprofit, or public health setting.
  • Knowledge of WWU and WA State administrative policies, procedures, and standard office practices.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of substance-related issues, including overdose prevention and naloxone administration.
  • Experience collaborating with state agencies, community organizations, or public health.
  • Familiarity with HB2112 and its implementation requirements.
  • Experience developing and delivering educational or training programs related to substance use prevention.
  • Experience facilitating dialogues to promote understanding and awareness of social identities, privilege, power, and oppression
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment
  • Ability to travel as needed for community outreach and training sessions.
  • Availability for occasional evening and weekend events.
  • All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary  Hiring range is $46,608 - $53,600 (at 10/months); through longevity position tops out at $60,591
Benefits Information

Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  • A cover letter addressing qualifications and experience.
  • A resume or CV.
  • Contact information for three professional references.
Closing Date Notes Application review begins June 9, 2025; position is open until filled.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.

Job no: 502450
Advertised: Pacific Daylight Time
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