Department: Intercollegiate Athletics

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Important Eligibility Requirement

Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver’s license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment.

Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information (English / Spanish) before applying.

About the Department

George Mason Athletics unites communities by developing champions with a mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports. Mason Athletics serves 500 student-athletes in 22 NCAA Division I sports. We are a proud member of the Atlantic 10 Conference with over 20 Conference Championships, NCAA Championships in Women’s Soccer and Men’s Indoor Track, an NCAA appearance in Women’s Basketball, and an NCAA Final Four appearance with Men’s Basketball, and over 30 individual National Champions. We are student-focused, education-centered, and committed to providing transformational experiences for our student-athletes and staff. Our five priorities are Student-Athlete Experience, Competition, Resources, Storytelling & Engagement, and Championship Culture.

About the Position

The Health Educator for Intercollegiate Athletics serves as an integral member of the Student-Athlete Health and Performance Team and works under the direction of the Athletics Mental Health Clinician. The position is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based health education and prevention initiatives that enhance the overall well-being, resilience, and performance of George Mason student-athletes.

The Health Educator focuses on proactive education, prevention, and team-based programming that complements the work of the Athletics Mental Health Clinician. This position collaborates closely with Sports Medicine, Strength & Conditioning, Sports Nutrition, Student-Athlete Development, Academic Support, and coaching staffs to deliver programming that addresses the unique physical, mental, emotional, and social demands of Division I student-athletes.

The Health Educator serves as the department's primary resource for student-athlete wellness education while helping create a culture that prioritizes performance, resilience, healthy decision-making, and holistic student-athlete development.

Responsibilities

Direct and Indirect Services

Develop, coordinate, and deliver comprehensive health education, wellbeing, and prevention programming tailored specifically to Division I student-athletes. Responsibilities include:
- Partner with the Athletics Mental Health Clinician to develop and implement an annual student-athlete health and well-being and prevention plan for all varsity teams aligned with NCAA, university, and Athletics Department priorities. Coordinate and deliver team-based educational sessions and wellness programming throughout the academic year;
- Support prevention and early-intervention initiatives designed to reduce barriers to student-athlete well-being and promote help-seeking behaviors;
- Collaborate with coaches and athletics support staff to identify student-athlete wellness education and programming needs;
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with internal Athletics partners, including:
- Sports Medicine;
- Strength & Conditioning;
- Sports Nutrition;
- Academic Support;
- Student-Athlete Development;
- Compliance;
- Coaching Staff;
- Team Physicians;
- Collaborate with relevant university departments and campus partners to support student-athlete health, wellness, and prevention initiatives;
- Develop and maintain relationships with appropriate external health, wellness, and community partners to enhance available resources and support for student-athletes;
- Collaborate with student-athlete organizations and leadership groups to promote student-athlete well-being and inform wellness programming; and
- Evaluate program effectiveness through participation data, surveys, and student feedback, and recommend adjustments based on outcomes.

Administrative Duties

Participate in CARES Team meetings and other interdisciplinary meetings, as appropriate, to promote communication and collaboration across student-athlete support services. Attend Athletics Department staff meetings and other departmental meetings, as appropriate, to remain informed of departmental priorities and initiatives;
Serve as a collaborative resource to internal and external partners regarding student-athlete wellness education, prevention programming, and available support resources;
Support communication and coordination among appropriate partners to promote a holistic and integrated student-athlete experience; and
Maintain collaborative relationships in accordance with applicable university policies, privacy standards, and confidentiality protocols.

Strategic Planning, Assessment & Department Initiatives

Develop an annual student-athlete wellness education calendar;
Assess programming effectiveness using measurable outcomes and student feedback;
Prepare annual reports outlining participation, educational outcomes, and recommendations;
Assist with NCAA Mental Health Best Practices implementation; and
Represent Athletics on campus wellness committees when appropriate.

Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in: Health Education; Public Health; Community Health; Exercise Science; Psychology; Kinesiology; Health Promotion; or related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
Typically, 2+ years of experience in health education, wellness programming, student affairs, collegiate athletics, healthcare, or related field;
Experience developing and delivering educational presentations;
Experience coordinating health promotion initiatives;
Knowledge of evidence-based health promotion and prevention strategies;
Knowledge of issues affecting Division I student-athletes or elite athletes;
Skill in public speaking and facilitation skills;
Skill in organizational and project management skills;
Ability to educate diverse student populations;
Ability to develop engaging team presentations;
Ability to collaborate with coaches and interdisciplinary performance staff;
Ability to analyze program outcomes and recommend improvements;
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment; and
Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in: Health Education; Public Health; Community Health; Exercise Science; Psychology; Kinesiology; Health Promotion; or related field;
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES); CHES® or MCHES® certification;
Mental Health First Aid certification;
Training related to NCAA Mental Health Best Practices;
Suicide prevention/gatekeeper training;
Motivational Interviewing;
Experience working with NCAA student-athletes;
Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams;
Experience in mental health prevention programming;
Experience assessing educational outcomes and program effectiveness;
Experience working in collegiate athletics or with young adult populations; and
Knowledge of NCAA Mental Health Best Practices.

Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Health Educator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: November 5, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 19, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/

Health Educator