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Health Educator: Basic Needs Navigator

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25267
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Betsy Asserson
(406) 994-4531
basserson@montana.edu
Classification Title Program Coord II
Working Title Health Educator: Basic Needs Navigator
Brief Position Overview
Montana State University’s Student Wellness seeks a Basic Needs Navigator to assist students with identification and acquisition of resources and benefits to support student basic needs and wellbeing. Basic Needs is housed in the new Student Wellness Center, MSU’s one stop shop for health and wellbeing. The Student Wellness area, within MSU Student Success, is comprised of Campus Recreation, Counseling & Psychological Services, and Student Health Services. All of these departments are housed in the new 165,000 sq ft Student Wellness Center. This position reports to the Student Wellness Program Manager.
Position Number 4M0370
Department SWC AVP Programs
Division Division of Student Success
Appointment Type Classified
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Non-Exempt
Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary $21.99 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type Classified Salary
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details

General Statement
Montana State University’s Student Wellness seeks a Basic Needs Navigator to assist students with identification and acquisition of resources and benefits to support student basic needs and wellbeing. Basic Needs is housed in the new Student Wellness Center, MSU’s one stop shop for health and wellbeing. The Student Wellness area, within MSU Student Success, is comprised of Campus Recreation, Counseling & Psychological Services, and Student Health Services. All of these departments are housed in the new 165,000 sq ft Student Wellness Center. This position reports to the Student Wellness Program Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Basic Needs Navigator supports MSU students by assisting them with navigation of campus resources and public assistance benefits.
  • Manage food pantry space and operations, policies, and procedures including food procurement, inventory management, risk management and safety.
  • Recruit, train and supervise student employees and volunteers.
  • Implement, promote and assesses campus basic needs services on an on-going basis in response to student needs. Assist in identifying strategies to address students’ basic needs, including food insecurity, health insurance access, and financial hardships. Guide students to campus resources or public benefits as appropriate.
  • Consult with students in navigating health insurance choices to fulfill MUS health insurance requirement, MUS Student Health Insurance, Medicaid, Marketplace private insurance plans, caregiver plans.
  • Serve as a backup to assist with administrative functions of MSU Student Health Insurance program to include assisting students with adding or removing MUS student health insurance on a semesterly basis.
  • Assist students with navigating public assistance benefits such as Medicaid, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and other available benefits. Work proactively to identify and assist students who may qualify for benefits.
  • Coordinate with community agencies to increase student access to basic needs. Serve as liaison between community agencies and students and make appropriate referrals.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with campus partners to include assisting with outreach presentations and activities, and planning and promoting collaborative events.
  • Maintain applications, files, reports, and records in accordance with established regulations and procedures to include confidentiality of student information.
  • Assist Program Manager of Student Wellness, AVP Student Wellness, or designee with grant writing, management, and reporting.
  • Facilitate programming and outreach efforts that inform students of services and market programming.
  • Build and maintain positive partnerships with key campus partners to provide a comprehensive network of support for students with basic need insecurities.
  • Serve on relevant Department, Student Success, and University program initiatives and committees as assigned.
  • Understand and ensure compliance with Clery, FERPA, and Title IX law and support services; work closely with the Campus Civil Rights Office; serve as a mandatory reporter.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  1. Bachelor’s degree in related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  2. Experience working with people in a forward facing customer service role.
  3. Demonstrated ability to work with multi-faceted projects and systems.
  4. Ability to work well with people of all backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  1. Master’s degree in public health or a related field.
  2. Experience working with local and state community organizations and government agencies.
  3. Related work experience in a higher education setting.
  4. A working understanding of public health fundamentals and how they apply to basic needs navigation.
The Successful Candidate Will
  • Prioritize a student-centered focus that supports whole person wellbeing.
  • Excellent time management and organization skills.
  • Ability to maintain a growth mindset and participate as an engaged team member.
  • Knowledge of government and non-profit organizations.
  • Understanding of basic needs for all populations.
  • Utilize emotionally intelligent, empathetic and open-minded communication skills and practice effective boundary setting.
  • Willingness to stay updated on current health and engagement strategies.
  • Appreciation of social services and public health.
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment and be adaptable.
  • Affinity to maintain high standards of service and safety and maintain university policies, and standard operating procedures in a transparent and accountable manner.
  • Ability to be organize and prioritize multiple workloads, meet deadlines, and exercise adaptability to changing priorities while balancing the needs of students, faculty, and staff stakeholders.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental insurance, retirement plan, paid holidays, continuing education, paid time off and more! For more information on the benefits package:

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
  • Transport up to 40lbs.
  • Operate a motor vehicle.
  • Transverse 2-3 flights of stairs
  • Remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? Yes
Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on February 13, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).