Program Specialist

Summary

Program Specialist

The Program Specialist will build and sustain a supportive community for students in recovery, fostering connection, purpose, and belonging. This role develops the Recovery Living and Learning Community (LLC) through research, planning, and collaboration, ensuring alignment with SAMHSA's pillars of Health, Home, Purpose, and Community. Key responsibilities include designing the program framework and curriculum, cultivating campus and community partnerships, guiding resident selection, and monitoring student engagement and accountability within the LLC. Over time,the specialist will assess and enhance the program to meet the evolving needs of students in recovery.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

· Partner with Student Housing and Student Well-Being teams to launch and oversee the Recovery LLC.

· Research national recovery program models and consult with experts to identify best practices that foster connection, student success, and inclusive, culturally responsive approaches for building a thriving recovery community on campus.

· Design a program framework and curriculum that fosters connection, belonging and personal growth for students' recovery journeys.

· Recommend policies that support a healthy, inclusive community aligned with SAMHSA's pillars of Health, Home, Purpose, and Community.

· Develop and initiate activities, programs and pro-social events that strengthen relationships and create a supportive network among residents.

· Mentor student staff to lead inclusively and cultivate communication skills that strengthen the Recovery LLC as a connected, supportive community where every student feels a sense of belonging and purpose.

· Establish tools to assess community well-being and identify opportunities for continuous improvement, working closely with the Associate Director of Student Housing to

· Participate in resident selection to help build a positive, engaged community.

· Collaborate with campus partners to integrate recovery support into housing and well-being initiatives, creating a seamless, student-centered experience.

· Build relationships with local organizations and community members to expand resources and opportunities for students in recovery.

· Share progress and insights regularly with campus leadership to ensure alignment and continuous improvement.

· Oversee and support the planning and implementation of programs and pro-social outings.

· Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.

· Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.

· Perform other duties as assigned

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

· Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

· A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities.

· Demonstrated strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

· Experience using Microsoft Office products, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and Excel

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

· Skills, knowledge, and experience specifically focused on the needs of individuals in recovery or with a history of substance abuse

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:

Reports directly to the Associate Director of Residence Life and Residential Education with secondary supervision by the Director of Well-being and Area Coordinator of Programing with Student Housing.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).

· Ability to work in a confined area.

· Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work

· Light to moderate lifting is required

Travel:

10% - Travel to campus for meetings or program facilitation

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/ and Salary Range:

· Hourly

· Part Time

· Temporary

· Full Year

· Typical Work hours will be scheduled out with occasional work on weekends and evenings as needed

Compensation

The hourly rate is $20/ hour

Application Process A complete application packet includes:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Application materials received by 11:59 PM on September 17, 2026, will receive full consideration.

The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts and pass a background check.

About Fort Lewis College:

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado's premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC's academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango

Job Description

Program Specialist

The Program Specialist will build and sustain a supportive community for students in recovery, fostering connection, purpose, and belonging. This role develops the Recovery Living and Learning Community (LLC) through research, planning, and collaboration, ensuring alignment with SAMHSA's pillars of Health, Home, Purpose, and Community. Key responsibilities include designing the program framework and curriculum, cultivating campus and community partnerships, guiding resident selection, and monitoring student engagement and accountability within the LLC. Over time,the specialist will assess and enhance the program to meet the evolving needs of students in recovery.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

· Partner with Student Housing and Student Well-Being teams to launch and oversee the Recovery LLC.

· Research national recovery program models and consult with experts to identify best practices that foster connection, student success, and inclusive, culturally responsive approaches for building a thriving recovery community on campus.

· Design a program framework and curriculum that fosters connection, belonging and personal growth for students' recovery journeys.

· Recommend policies that support a healthy, inclusive community aligned with SAMHSA's pillars of Health, Home, Purpose, and Community.

· Develop and initiate activities, programs and pro-social events that strengthen relationships and create a supportive network among residents.

· Mentor student staff to lead inclusively and cultivate communication skills that strengthen the Recovery LLC as a connected, supportive community where every student feels a sense of belonging and purpose.

· Establish tools to assess community well-being and identify opportunities for continuous improvement, working closely with the Associate Director of Student Housing to

· Participate in resident selection to help build a positive, engaged community.

· Collaborate with campus partners to integrate recovery support into housing and well-being initiatives, creating a seamless, student-centered experience.

· Build relationships with local organizations and community members to expand resources and opportunities for students in recovery.

· Share progress and insights regularly with campus leadership to ensure alignment and continuous improvement.

· Oversee and support the planning and implementation of programs and pro-social outings.

· Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.

· Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.

· Perform other duties as assigned

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

· Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

· A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities.

· Demonstrated strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

· Experience using Microsoft Office products, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and Excel

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

· Skills, knowledge, and experience specifically focused on the needs of individuals in recovery or with a history of substance abuse

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:

Reports directly to the Associate Director of Residence Life and Residential Education with secondary supervision by the Director of Well-being and Area Coordinator of Programing with Student Housing.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).

· Ability to work in a confined area.

· Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work

· Light to moderate lifting is required

Travel:

10% - Travel to campus for meetings or program facilitation

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/ and Salary Range:

· Hourly

· Part Time

· Temporary

· Full Year

· Typical Work hours will be scheduled out with occasional work on weekends and evenings as needed

Compensation

The hourly rate is $20/ hour

Application Process A complete application packet includes:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Application materials received by 11:59 PM on September 17, 2026, will receive full consideration.

The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts and pass a background check.

About Fort Lewis College:

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado's premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC's academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango