Student Health and Wellness Manager - Center for Rainforest Studies

Institutional Mission:
The School for Field Studies (SFS) creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship.

SFS Position on Diversity and Inclusion: 
SFS was founded with the belief that stewardship of our planet is the responsibility of people all around the world. Addressing complex global issues requires the active inclusion of stakeholders with varying perspectives and identities. We recognize that to successfully address threats to our natural world, we must look beyond social constructs designed to divide us. Just as we value biodiversity in all of its forms, we value and engage with a multitude of diverse perspectives and people in the countries where we work and the students and staff we serve. 

Position Title: 

Health and Wellness Manager (HWM) 

Location:                     

The SFS Centre for Rainforest Studies in Yungaburra, QSLD, Australia 

Reports to: 

Centre Director 

Position Summary: 

The HWM works closely with the Center Director and the Program Manager to coordinate all non-academic components of the program, including risk management, group dynamics, community engagement, and daily program operations to undergraduate students from American colleges and universities. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

Under the oversight of the Centre Director and Program Manager, the HWM, as an individual and as a member of the Centre faculty/staff team, will assist in the following areas:

Student Affairs 

• Deliver in-country orientation and ongoing training to students in the areas of community building, critical thinking, cross-cultural issues, conflict resolution, self-awareness, communal living, and health and safety
• Act as a resource to students for their program-related and personal needs
• Facilitate communication within the student group and between staff and students
• Preemptively monitor and address individual student and group attitudes and behavior
• Keep the Center Director informed of potential problems
• Participate in resolving group management issues and student discipline problems
• Facilitate establishment and support of student committees 

Safety & Risk Management 

• Take responsibility for the safety of all program participants
• Adhere to, actively model, and enforce all school-wide and program rules and polices
• Coordinate incident reporting system and on-site safety audits
• Ensure that Incident Reports are provided to SFS headquarters
• Submit a Risk Management Plan to SFS headquarters prior to field trips 
• Participate in the review and revision of program risk assessment and management plans
• Coordinate the program’s emergency plans, including for evacuation and fire safety
• Recommend and review policies and procedures needed to manage risks
• Coordinate the safety and health portions of the on-site orientation
• Maintain all medical kits and safety supplies 

Community Outreach 

• Work with Centre faculty/staff to develop and implement community outreach activities
• Arrange recreational programming for students within the local community
• At all times, work to ensure good relations between the Centre and local community
• Organize and facilitate guest speakers from the community 

Program Support 

• Coordinate and communicate scheduling of program to students as needed
• Participate in training activities for new program staff prior to and during the program
• Provide periodic reports, marketing materials, and student input to SFS headquarters
• Participate in preparation of final reports and program field preparation guide revisions
• In cooperation with other program staff and as delegated by the Center Director, provide day-to-day coordination of interns
• Participate in planning activities prior to program start and in review post-program
• As requested by the Center Director, assist with other logistical, group management, and administrative tasks 

Daily Centre Life 

• Live on-site for the duration of each program period and take meals with students
• On a rotating basis, take responsibility for Centre-specific staff of the day duties
• Ensure that all staff understand the responsibilities of the staff of the day role
• Take part in, and occasionally lead, Centre upkeep projects, social, and field activities
• Serve as Centre caretaker during program breaks as requested by the Centre Director
• Perform Centre maintenance duties and assist site manager with routine tasks where required
• Occasionally, participate in food preparation for students
• Drive standard transmission vehicles as needed