Director of Wellness and Prevention

LOCATION:

United States Naval Academy, Superintendent’s Office

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

Review of applications will begin on March 20, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. 

ABOUT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY:

The United States Naval Academy is a unique institution of higher learning located in Annapolis, Maryland.  As a service academy and premier undergraduate college, the United States Naval Academy has its own distinctive niche amongst American higher education institutions. Our talented faculty and staff are united by a common purpose--to develop the next generation of officers to be exceptional leaders in our naval service.

The United States Naval Academy is committed to building a diverse workforce of faculty and staff who provide a multi-disciplinary and hands-on approach to student learning and leadership development.  We believe that individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives strengthen our programs and positively impact student success. We encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for consideration.

Every year more than one million people tour "the Yard" to experience what our employees already know — the United States Naval Academy is a special place, with a special purpose. Employees will find challenging and rewarding work; state-of-the-art facilities which inspire academic and athletic excellence; the benefits of Federal employment; and exceptional quality-of-life.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Office of the Superintendent invites applicants for the position of Director of Wellness and Prevention to begin as early as Summer of 2023.  The Director of Wellness and Prevention will be a Special Advisor to the USNA Superintendent on all matters associated with the prevention of harmful behaviors, to include, but not limited to sexual assault, suicide, alcohol related incidents, intimate partner violence and harassment.  Specifically, the Director of Wellness and Prevention will be responsible for the integration of all prevention of harmful behavior efforts across the institution, including the Brigade of Midshipmen, faculty, staff, and coaches. The Director of Wellness and Prevention will be charged with creating a complementary and comprehensive plan to diminish these destructive behaviors.  This position will lead other academy programs and cost centers to direct the coordination and, integration of their plan, which will include recommending resource decisions to the Superintendent across all programs addressing sexual assault, sexual harassment, suicide prevention, and other harmful behaviors.  Will act as the primary liaison between the Superintendent, USNA Higher Headquarters, Department of the Navy and all USNA Directorates currently working on these prevention efforts.   

Sexual assault, harassment, suicide, and alcohol related incidents remain persistent and pervasive problems within today's military.  The United States Naval Academy (USNA), charged with teaching, educating and creating the Navy's future leaders, seeks to eradicate these destructive behaviors.  Early identification, intervention and prevention of these behaviors has become more important and urgent than ever.  USNA, through unprecedented, monumental and unmatched prevention efforts, is making headway, but we can do more.  Prevention efforts can no longer approach these harmful behaviors independently, and must be integrated toward a more cohesive approach in order to ultimately win this fight.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible to the Superintendent for leading USNA’s prevention efforts in the areas of sexual assault, harassment (including prohibited and sexual harassment), suicide, intimate partner violence, alcohol and drug use/abuse, and other harmful behaviors affecting the United States Naval Academy - including the military and civilian faculty, staff, and coaches, and the entire Brigade of Midshipmen.
• Directs the coordination and integration of prevention activities and interventions, and makes resourcing recommendations to the Superintendent.
• Champions prevention activities across USNA, generating buy-in from senior military officers and senior civilians in all Cost Centers.
• Serves as a senior level subject matter expert and advisor to senior leadership on the prevention of harmful/destructive behaviors, providing oversight of operations and programs, developing policies, and facilitating the integration of prevention activities into a cohesive, cross-functional and cross-organizational approach in alignment with the DoD Prevention Plan Of Action.
• Provides expertise in modifying and executing USNA’s comprehensive prevention plan; identifying research and lessons learned; incorporating evidence-based prevention practices; communicating the prevention team's objectives, milestones and deadlines; and advising on problem solving methods and/or techniques.
• Maintains Superintendent’s priorities and incorporates them into prevention plan assessments. Conducts regular reviews of the prevention plan, oversees evaluations of policy and program implementation, and integrates oversight and tracking of prevention plan activities.
• Plans and executes data-based evaluations of prevention activities for effectiveness and makes decisions on whether the activities should be modified, expanded, or discontinued.
• Leads USNA prevention mission by providing subject matter expertise in research, study design, prevention activities, and public health applications that promote primary prevention of harmful/destructive behaviors and other misconduct within the military community.
• Serves as USNA’s primary liaison to outside entities (e.g. DoN Office of Force Resiliency, OPNAV N17, Academia) regarding prevention issues and topics.
• Provides tools and technical assistance to prevention professionals at the tactical level to facilitate the execution of the strategic guidance and works in coordination with key stakeholders to ensure cross-organizational collaboration.  Responsible for the development and execution of training curricula for the professional prevention workforce to build relevant skills to identify and tailor prevention approaches to subpopulations. Develops long and short-range strategic goals and objectives for the prevention team.

This is a federal excepted service position consisting of up to a 4-year time-limited appointment, with the possibility of renewal based on funding and the needs of the U.S. Naval Academy and Department of Navy.  Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.  

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum:

• Master’s Degree in a prevention related field (e.g., social sciences, behavioral sciences, public health) 
• Program evaluation and/or assessment in primary prevention related to the following areas:
  • Sexual assault
  • Harassment/sexual harassment
  • Suicide
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Alcohol and drug use/abuse
    

Preferred:

• Understanding of best practices within higher education.
• Quantifiable experience with Program management and coordination.
• Military knowledge and familiarity.
• Evidence of senior leadership and administration aptitude.
• Commitment to, and experience with, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Familiarity with research related to destructive or harmful behaviors and/or their prevention.
• PhD, or commensurate level of experience in researching and solving similar problems for a military or undergraduate population in a campus residential setting.

HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:

Interested candidates who seek to become part of the Naval Academy team of dedicated academic leaders, role models, and mentors to faculty, staff and midshipmen should provide:

• A cover letter that includes a personal statement reflecting on experience in the listed preferred qualifications as well as interest and/or experience in serving as a leader and advisor at an extraordinary undergraduate institution of higher education. 

• A curriculum vitae/resume

• Contact information for a minimum of three professional references

All materials should be sent to the Chair of the Search Committee at usna-vppi-23-group@usna.edu

Please note:  Applications will be reviewed beginning March 20, 2023, but position will remain open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• U.S. Citizenship Required

• All Civilian Positions at USNA are subject to a background investigation. The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination.  More information about the background investigation process can be found at the Academic Dean and Provost’s website here http://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer