Now Hiring: Peer Mentors for Rural E-Cigarette Cessation – Volunteer Role with Pathway to Future Paid Opportunities

VapeFreeTXT Program — University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Position Type: Volunteering with eligibility for future paid employment

Benefits: Certificate of Training in E-Cigarette Cessation Peer Mentorship (Phase I) and Certificate of Practice in E-Cigarette Cessation Peer Mentorship (Phase II)

Location: Remote (for individuals residing in rural counties of WI, MN, ND, or SD)

About the Role

We are seeking motivated young adults to join our team as Peer Mentors for the VapeFreeTXT program — a text-messaging support program to help young adults in rural areas quit e-cigarette use.

As a peer mentor, you will complete training (Phase I) and then send supportive, personalized text messages to participants over a two-month period (Phase II). This is a remote position with flexible scheduling.

Job Responsibilities

• Complete required online training modules:
  • Peer mentor training (6 modules, ~10-20 min each; total 1-2 hours)
  • Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training (9 modules on research ethics and best practices; ~5 hours, online and self-paced)
• Use our text messaging platform (Mosio.com) to:
  • Send individualized supportive messages (1-5+ per day) to assigned participants (typically 1-2 individuals)
  • Encourage and motivate them to stay vape-free during the 2-month program
  • You don’t need to use your own smartphone to send text messages.
  • If you’re not sure how to respond to participants’ replies, the research team will take care of it.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Be 18–24 years old
• Currently live in a rural county of Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota
• Be fluent in English
• Have previously used e-cigarettes daily for ≥6 months (within the last 3 years)
• Have been vape-free for at least the past 6 months
• Have access to a computer or smart device with reliable internet
• Be able to complete all training within 2 weeks of hire
• Be comfortable communicating with peers via text

Not Eligible If

• Currently using any nicotine products (e.g. cigarettes, Zyn)
• Diagnosis or treatment for major psychiatric disorders (e.g. major depression with suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) within the past 12 months
• Current diagnosis or treatment for a substance use disorder (alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, opioids, or other illicit drugs)

Compensation & Benefits

• Peer Mentoring Certificates awarded after each phase
  • [Phase I] Certificate of Completion of Training in E-Cigarette Cessation Peer Mentorship
    • Awarded after training completion
  • [Phase II] Certificate of Completion of Mentorship Hours in E-Cigarette Cessation Peer Mentorship
    • Awarded after mentoring at least 2 participants for the full 2-month period
    • Recognizes meaningful experience in providing individualized support to multiple participants
• Hourly Compensation: None; however, there may be potential paid employment opportunities with our research team, likely starting next year. While not guaranteed, peer mentors who complete the program will be given priority consideration.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Remote work with flexible scheduling
  • Valuable experience in public health research and peer mentoring
  • Certificates to recognize training and practice, enhancing resumes and career prospects

Contact Information

• If you have any questions, please email me at sundagywon@gmail.com or gwon@uwm.edu.

Tips

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage interested students to apply early.