About this role
Position Summary:
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. Job Description:
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
Notice to Prospective Employees: The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report. The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:
• Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy
• Sexual assault policy
• Campus security policies
• Campus/community resources
• The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment
• Where to find registered sex offender information
• Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years
• Reporting crimes
The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways: By going to the internet website at: www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request. You can reach them at (970) 247-7331. Equal Opportunity Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.
Discrimination Questions? Office of Compliance and Community Standards David Pirrone, Director of Compliance 210 Berndt Hall 1000 Rim Drive Durango, Colorado 81301 (970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu
Questions about Title IX sex discrimination? Office of the Title IX Coordinator Madeleine Gillman, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator 210 Berndt Hall 1000 Rim Drive Durango, Colorado 81301 (970) 247-7049 mgillman@fortlewis.edu
Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.
* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.
ADAA Accommodations Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.