Community Engagement / Prevention Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Prevention Specialist with the

Community Collaboration Program (CCP)/Prevention Education Program (PEP)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Works effectively with co-workers, collaborating partners, community members, and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions; addressing others by name, title or other respectful identifier; respecting the diversity of our work force in actions, words and deeds. Work requires being an active part of a team with flexibility to work in various settings which may include office setting, community events, school campuses, and field work.

Under the direct supervision of the Prevention Coordinator, the Prevention Specialist will:

• Ability to provide comprehensive community assessments to youth, young adults, and other community members in SPA-7, this may include psychoeducation presentations, engagement activities and/or Evidence Based Practices.
• Develop, coordinate, and maintain coalition, facilitate prevention providers, and effectively inform and engage local community members and agencies to address County Goals and Objectives.
• Assist in engaging a diverse group of community members from the public and private sectors in the SPA 7 area.
• Assist in leading and facilitating collaborative and community capacity building efforts which may include summit, conferences, townhall meetings.
• Lead local youth/adult Community Coalition and participate in Service Planning Area 7 coalition as well as County-wide coalitions.
• Collaborate with cities within SPA 7 and Law Enforcement to increase awareness of Prescription/Medication use and abuse and promote Safe Boxes and Take Back events.
• Establish strategies and create ways to increase awareness of Alcohol, Marijuana, Methamphetamine and/or Prescription Drugs Use harms to youth and adults.
• Actively involved in service city and must be willing and able to provide support and technical assistance for all community partners.
• Work with local off-sale retailers to raise awareness and decrease youth access to alcohol, prescription medication, marijuana and methamphetamine.
• Develop, organize, and collaborate to coordinate substance prevention activities and social media content.
• Ability to implement evidence-based strategies and prevention concepts to address substance use related community problems and contributing factors.
• Provide accurate and timely documentation.
• Effective communication verbally, through email, through texts, and phone calls.
• Attend all assigned meetings and other related duties/activities. Must represent the agency in a professional manner.
• Must attend all necessary trainings and meetings throughout Los Angeles County.
• Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field highly desired.
• One year of experience providing substance use prevention services prior to employment. Education may be substituted for experience where coursework is directly related to substance use prevention, or the public health field.
• Experience developing, providing, and/or evaluating community-based environmental prevention programs/services.
• Experience conducting activities that align with the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) Steps: Assessment, Capacity, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.
• Experience in leading, facilitating engaging and/or organizing community members, businesses, and community leaders in the implementation/adoption of a community and/or population-basedeffort.
• Ability to implement evidence-based strategies and prevention concepts for addressing substance use related community problems and contributing factors.
• Competency to work with the various ethnic/cultural groups in the target area/community.
• Community Engagement Specialist must be able to receive certification as a Certified Prevention Specialist under the Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Must be able/willing to travel as position requires cross collaboration partnerships, Trainings, and Meetings across LA County.
• Must be able/willing to travel and work from all HYC offices.
• Strong relationship-building/maintaining, networking skills, and great organizational skills.
• Capable of building and developing Programs, generating program growth and pushing a program forward.
• Creative mind and ability to generate ideas for program development.
• Shows initiative and strong motivation in completing and starting projects and enjoys the challenge of their work.
• Ability to reasonably adjust, accept, and make changes to directives as they occur.
• U.S. Citizenship or permanent resident status.
• Valid California driver's license, current auto insurance, a good driving record, and must be cleared to drive for business purposes by our insurance broker.
• Ability to pass background check and criminal clearance.
• Ability to present proof of all vaccinations, including COVID-19, as required by Los Angeles County Vaccine Ordinance.

PREFFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with a community-basedorganization.
• Experience working with youth and substance abuse prevention programs.
• Experience working with the community-based organizing model.
• Experience/Expertise in Social Media, YouTube, Media Development, and Audio and Visual equipment.
• Multi-lingual skills (Spanish-speaking preferred but not required).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made, if requested, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

HYC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION,GENDER, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, MILITARY OR VETERAN STATUS, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY (INCLUDING HIV AND AIDS), GENETI INFORMATION, SEX (INCLUDES PREGNANCY) OR ANY OTHER BASIS PROTECTED BY LAW.