Community Engagement Specialist

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING; Whittier (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING in Whittier, California seeks a Community Engagement Specialist to conduct community assessments and develop prevention programs. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and experience in substance use prevention services. Responsibilities include organizing community events and leading collaborative efforts. This role requires strong communication skills, cultural competency, and the ability to work flexible hours. It's an equal opportunity employer offering a supportive environment for all.

Qualifications

• One year of experience providing substance use prevention services.
• Experience developing community-based prevention programs.
• Ability to implement evidence-based strategies for substance use.

Responsibilities

• Conduct community assessments for local youth and adults.
• Develop and maintain community coalitions for prevention efforts.
• Facilitate engaging community capacity-building events.

Skills

Community Engagement

Substance Use Prevention

Relationship Building

Public Speaking

Cultural Competency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Community Engagement Specialist

Community Collaboration Program (CCP)

Works effectively with co-workers, collaborating partners, community members, and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner. Work requires being an active part of a team.

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

• Assist in providing comprehensive community assessments to youth, young adults, and other community members in SPA-7.
• 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.
• Establish strategies and create ways to increase awareness of Alcohol, Marijuana, Methamphetamine and/or Prescription Drugs Use harms to youth and young people.
• Actively involved in service city and must be willing and able to provide support and technical assistance for all community partners.
• Develop, organize, and collaborate to coordinate substance prevention activities and events.
• 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 necessary trainings and other related duties/activities throughout Los Angeles County.
• Other related duties as assigned.

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.

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 based effort.
• 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.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Strong relationship-building/maintaining, networking skills, and great organizational skills and willing to travel to other locations.
• U.S. Citizenship or permanent resident status.
• Valid Class C drivers license. Current auto insurance coverage and good driving record.
• Ability to pass background check and criminal clearance.
• TB Test Required.

Preferred Qualifications

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

HYC, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATION IS MADE WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, NATION ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, MILITARY OR VETERAN STATUS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.