Prevention Specialist

Prevention Specialist

Reports to: Program Supervisor for Substance Use Prevention

Status: Full-time; Exempt with benefits: Blue Cross Medical/Dental/Vision, 403(b) retirement plan, Holidays, 4 weeks Paid Time Off, 10 weeks paid Parental leave

Salary: $51,000

Alternatives Overview:

Our mission is to inspire young people to create a just future through practices that heal individuals, restore communities, and transform systems. Since 1971, Alternatives has modeled innovative alternatives to the status quo in Chicago's youth services field. Our school and community-based therapy, prevention and leadership development programs support young people to individually and collectively address causes of substance abuse, grief and trauma while building social-emotional, career and social change skills. In addition to working directly with young people, we train, coach and advocate for youth-serving institutions like Chicago Public Schools to be restorative and trauma-informed.

Position Overview:

The Prevention Specialist will provide Youth Prevention Education and develop and administer substance use prevention for middle schoolers and high schoolers.

Responsibilities:

• Perform the following from a racial, gender, sexuality, and ability equity lens:
• Implement Youth Prevention Education evidence-based curriculum with fidelity.
• Cultivate collaborative relationships with school administrators, community members, and stakeholders.
• Plan, promote, and implement communication campaigns as required by state grant in collaboration with Development Team.
• Promote drug take-back programs in the service area.
• Update and distribute the Community Services Resource Guide.
• Collect, record, and analyze prevention program data.
• Maintain records in ETO, prevention hub, and other databases as required in accordance with agency rules and standards.
• Attend all trainings and workshops as required.
• Participate in weekly one-on-one and team meetings to provide status updates on prevention activities.
• Collaborate with and provide support to team members, department, and organization projects
• Demonstrate a commitment to Positive Youth Development, Restorative Justice, and Trauma-informed practices.
• Complete in a timely fashion all other tasks as assigned by the Behavioral Health Supervisor.

1. High School degree and two years of higher education courses (AA or AS)
2. Preferred Spanish Speaking
3. Past experience working with youth and/or public speaking
4. Knowledge of adolescent/family dynamics, substance abuse and trauma issues.
5. Cultural competency with Black/Latinx and LGBTQ+ youth.
6. Interest and commitment to working in a community-based youth service agency.
7. Bachelor’s degree preferred
8. Spanish speaking preferred
9. The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all employees to the full extent permissible under applicable law.