Student Assistant

The Center for Student Well-Being (SWELL) serves as a primary prevention health education and promotion department within the Health & Wellness cluster of departments in Student Success. SWELL provides services and resources to help students develop lifelong healthy habits, stay well-balanced, and be successful in college. The Center for Student Well-Being offers workshops, presentations, and awareness campaigns on wellness topics relevant to college life.

For priority application review, please submit a cover letter directly related to your experience and this position. Please include your resume, cover letter, and class/work schedule reflecting weekly availability (if classes are already scheduled) for Fall 2026 semester in one document.

Supervision: Reports to the Assistant Director for Substance Use Prevention 

Average Number of Hours per Week: 20-25 hours per week 

Hourly Wage: $20.06 per hour 

Schedule: Schedule will be flexible based upon student’s class schedule. Nights and weekends will be required from time to time to provide outreach and oversight of events. Preference may be given to candidates who can fill more traditional office hours which are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Must be available to meet/work in person on the Tampa campus.

Standard Learning Objectives: As a result of this position, the student will be able to: 

• Demonstrate basic employability skills such as: timeliness to work, appropriate dress, interpersonal communication, and time management. 

• Receive and solicit feedback from supervisor and effectively apply feedback on the job. 

• Assess workplace and demonstrate how personal talents, skills, and knowledge fit into the employer’s goals, mission, and vision. 

• Demonstrate professional brand (identity) 

• Communicate transferable and functional skills to prospective employers. 

• Design, implement, and evaluate health education and harm reduction programs, services, and outreach to college-aged students. 

• Develop skills in leadership, conflict resolution, effective communication, collaboration, project management, etc. 

• Enhance knowledge of public health and college health promotion best practices related to substance use prevention. 

Contact Information for Questions about Recruitment: Applicants who meet requirements will be contacted directly by the Center for Student Well-Being for follow-up information/next steps. 

For more information on our department and the work we do, please visit www.usf.edu/wellbeing 

Apply today on Handshake- Job Applications open through 10/2/2026

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Responsibilities

Job Duties: Assistant will serve in a supportive and para-professional outreach role within the Center for Student Well-Being, with an emphasis on substance use prevention and harm reduction outreach. 

• Assist professional staff with the creation, implementation, and evaluation of both in-person and virtual substance use prevention content. 

• Facilitate educational presentations and outreach activities related to alcohol, cannabis, tobacco/nicotine, prescription medication misuse, and other substance use topics. 

• Assist with creation of social media posts, video content, and outreach materials with a focus on the creation of original social media content that supports prevention messaging and increases awareness of available resources and services. 

• Gather relevant data and resources to assist in the development of student centered messaging and programming. 

• Assist in the promotion, coordination and assessment of large-scale outreach events  

• Work collaboratively with the other Health Promotion Assistant through regular communication, and joint planning and support of cross-functional initiatives to enhance program effectiveness and student engagement. 

• Provide guidance to the Health Education Action Team (HEAT) students as it pertains to their work on substance use prevention-related projects and outreach. 

• Assist with office management such as answering questions and directing patrons as well as programming supply and office supply inventory 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Graduate level student- Master or PhD. Interest in health and wellness. Prior experience in a student leadership position. Experience working in an office setting. Be a self-starter with the ability to work independently. Comfortable speaking in front of large groups of students and at professional meetings about sensitive topics including mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and alcohol and other drug use. Spring 2027 graduate or later. 

Preferred Qualifications: Minimum qualifications as well as Graduate student standing in Health Science, Public Health, Behavioral Health, or other closely related field. Experience in health promotion, substance misuse prevention, and/or peer education. Proficiency with social media design and creation, marketing strategies, and health communications. Spring 2028 graduate or later with the ability to work over the summer.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.