Job Description Summary
Organizational Summary Statement:
The Program Manager for the Substance Use and Harm Reduction (SUHR) program coordinates prevention, education, and programming efforts related to substance use prevention and harm reduction for the University of Maryland. As part of the broader Substance Use Services team at the University Health Center (UHC), the SUHR team works collaboratively alongside the Substance Use Intervention and Treatment team (SUIT) and Health Promotion and Wellness Services (HPWS) to provide comprehensive primary, secondary, and tertiary substance use prevention and treatment for the University of Maryland undergraduate and graduate student community across all levels of the socio-ecological model.
Responsibilities include: planning, implementation, evaluation, and assessment of campus alcohol & other drugs programs, policies, services, and other wellness-related programs; serving as the substance use education expert for the University of Maryland campus; management of the state Opioid Response Program grant. This position supervises the Coordinator for Substance Use and Harm Reduction. This position reports to the Director of Substance Use Services, and collaborates regularly with other units within the UHC, including a significant collaborative partnership with the HPWS Unit.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Instructional Program Development and Implementation: Develops and coordinates University-wide semesterly training through the ELMS platform, to meet Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and Start Talking Maryland Act alcohol and opioid education requirements, as mandated at the federal and state level, respectively; co-manages the Gold Code alcohol risk reduction campaign with the Department of Resident Life, manages the Green Code cannabis risk reduction campaign with HPWS, and creates trainings for campus to address specific population needs, including the Recovery Ally Training. Regularly co-facilitates other trainings within the UHC, such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIEA), various conference sessions, and more.
Program management and Resource Distribution: Oversee the Overdose Response Program, as a grantee from the Maryland Department of Health; Provides Naloxone Training, fentanyl test strip distribution, tabling outreach efforts, and other harm reduction supplies and education. Managing the program, gathering data, and implementation of new strategies. Oversees maintenance and distribution of materials such as the T-Break Guide to address cannabis tolerance breaks, and makes updates to the Guide as needed.
Oversee Recovery Community Outreach, Engagement, and Support: planning and supervision of outreach events geared towards engaging students in various interest/affinity areas to provide information about substance use prevention education, risk reduction, and collegiate recovery resources to student body; facilitates ongoing programming focused on students in recovery, provide support for the Terps for Recovery student group
Policy and Assessment: Evaluates campus alcohol, tobacco, & other drugs programs, policies, services; Researches and monitors local, state and national substance use policy and marketing trends; Develops proposals for policy, programs and other interventions, and departmental goals and objectives based on findings; Conduct program evaluation and assessment and quality improvement efforts.
Collaboration:
Engage with the SUIT team to provide comprehensive primary, secondary, and tertiary substance use prevention, which may involve multidisciplinary collaboration to support existing or develop new programing or services; refer students interested in individual treatment to SUIT team.
Collaborate with the HPWS team at the UHC regarding broader non-substance use specific health promotion and wellness services. Facilitates alignment of HPWS and SUIT strategies and initiatives.
Coordinate services with other campus departments including Resident Life, Counseling Center, Athletics, Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Office of Student Conduct, and the Department of Public Safety. Coordination may include participation in meetings, trainings, and in-service programs.
Administration: Serves on the UMD Alcohol Coalition and the Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking and Related Problems and on departmental and campus committees. Participate in grant writing for external funding opportunities. Assists with updating and distribution of the Annual Drug-Free School Notifications and Biennial Review.
Supervision: Trains and Supervises Coordinator for Harm Reduction on related to substance use education, health promotion and programming strategies, social media management, and student recovery support. Conducts regular and meaningful performance review and development sessions with direct report(s). Trains and supervises part-time and full-time student interns and staff at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as needed. Supports Coordinator at evening and weekend events as needed.
Other duties as assigned
Physical Demands:
Full time on-site position. Potential to transition to telework once per week dependent on the identified needs of the team as well as meeting job expectations, with the expectation that scheduled in-person commitments (i.e. campus programs, required in-person meetings, etc.) supersede regular telework schedules. Typical office worker expectations, including the ability to sit for approximately 1 hour periods several times per day, type, get to and from meetings located on other floors or in other buildings on the College Park campus. This role may require working some evenings and weekends to support events and meetings.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience related to substance use prevention, programs, services, policy
Experience with adolescent/young adult (or “emerging adult”) population
Masters Degree in Public Health, Health Promotion/Education, or related field(s)
1 year supervisory/leadership experience supervising student staff, graduate students, or other professionals
Five or more years of progressive responsibility in public health or health education/promotion or related field
MCHES/CHES/CPH Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or Certified in Public Health (CPH) or (M)CHES/CPH eligible
Experience in research and professional writing, publications, grant writing, and presentations
Experience working in higher education or with college-aged clients
Direct experience with health equity work, and diversity, equity, and inclusion work
Licenses/ Certifications:NA
Demonstrated knowledge of:
Knowledge and skills in adolescent and emerging adult development and appropriate programming
Knowledge or experience related to substance use related programs, policies, and services
Knowledge of frameworks, principles, and theories of public health and health promotion in the context substance use and higher education, including the socioecological model/biopsychosocial model, and the levels of prevention
Student development and learning theories and models
Higher education structure and policies; Campus resources, services, and support systems related to health and wellness
Current trends, research, and best practices in health promotion and college health
Principles of organizational development, environmental management, and cultural change
Environmental and policy change activities and strategies
Public health model of environmental prevention, particularly using ecological systems theory.
Knowledge of epidemiology and risk factors for substance use in adolescent/young adult population
Demonstrated application of the following skills:
Effectively communicate health information and processes to diverse audiences in accessible ways
Design and implementation of health promotion programs on a variety of key health issues based on needs assessment results; apply health promotion, behavior change, and population-based theories and models to their work
Collaboration with and incorporation of underrepresented and historically marginalized diverse populations into health promotion processes through the lenses of social justice, health equity, and culturally humble practices
Program planning, facilitation, and assessment; program evaluation to include research design, survey development, environmental assessment, focus group design and facilitation, data analysis and interpretation, dissemination
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication; presentation and public speaking; Familiarity with social media and other communication platforms
Leading multiple projects simultaneously, managing time efficiently, prioritizing tasks, and delegating projects; collaborative problem-solving; team building and conflict resolution
Analyzing health-related professional literature relevant to college students and assessing its applicability and utility for effectiveness on a particular campus
Gathering, compiling, and synthesizing information to develop health promotion initiatives and educational materials for specific populations of students including; first generation students; international students; students who identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color; transfer students; non-residential students; non-traditional students; and students with economic hardship, Greek Life; and athletes.
Guiding a team to develop evidence-informed health promotion initiatives that meet the needs of a campus population, rooted in health promotion, behavior change, and population-based models
Applying the ACHA Standards of Practice for Health Promotion in Higher Education (SPHPHE) and other relevant campus resources to health promotion work
Demonstrated ability/proficiency in:
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement substance use prevention, education, and risk reduction programs
Tailor health promotion efforts using cultural-humility, respecting diverse audience needs and abilities; Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations of students, faculty and staff.
Taking leadership in unit, department, division, and campus-wide initiatives, as appropriate and requested
Supporting strategic planning processes
Leadership abilities, which can include overseeing campus initiatives, representing substance use services team in committees or coalitions, or leadership in professional organizations
Relationship building and collaboration and coalition building among campus partners, stakeholders, and students both within and outside of the UHC
Respond to health-related crises and emergencies, providing appropriate support and resources as directed by supervisor
Sensitive to the confidential nature of health-related information.
Works independently
Develop, implement, and assess student learning outcomes. Demonstrate innovation and use of evidence-based pedagogies.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Three (3) years of professional health or medical-related program management experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of business acumen to understand key business drivers, organizational communications, and data.
Knowledge of organizational and unit performances measures.
Knowledge of the impact and implications of decisions on leadership objectives.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in data analytics and negotiation.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to research information and analyze/synthesize complex data and information to create reports and presentations with valid conclusions derived from various sources.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.
Additional Job Details
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume and Reference List
Best Consideration Date: January 12, 2026
Posting Close Date:NA
Open Until Filled:Yes
Job Risks
Occupational Related Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure, Respiratory Protection
Financial Disclosure Required
No
Department
VPSA-UHC-Substance Abuse
Worker Sub-Type
Staff Regular
Salary Range
72,643 - 87,171
For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
Resources
Search Firm Managed Recruitment
There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm.