Cultural Prevention Specialist - Youth & Community Wellness

Nooksack Indian Tribe; Deming (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nooksack Indian Tribe Health Department seeks a Chemical Dependency Prevention Specialist to lead front-line prevention work, including culture-based youth activities, canoe racing, and community outreach. You will recruit participants, coordinate referrals, and collect data supporting SAMHSA reporting.

Work closely with tribal programs and regional schools to address alcohol and drug misuse among Native communities, building collaborative prevention strategies and culturally-informed

Qualifications

• Must be knowledgeable of Coastal Cultural tradition’s Ceremony’s.
• Working knowledge of Northwest Tribal communities.
• Possess the management skills to meet deadlines and follow-through on project goals and objectives.
• Exhibit ethical and professional behavioral in all facets of the position.
• Communicate effectively both orally and writing.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to meet and travel to multiple locations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver education and awareness activities on substance use and misuse, helping participants overcome dependencies, adjust to life, or make changes.
• Plan, carry out, and evaluate public education, prevention, and health promotion activities in collaboration with organizations, institutions, and communities.
• Provide information about substance use and misuse and about available services and programs, using print and electronic media, and make appropriate referrals when necessary.
• Instruct others in chemical dependency prevention program methods, procedures, and functions.
• Conduct outreach and build a strong community presence for the prevention program.
• Work collaboratively with SAMHSA Prevention staff to develop Canoe Racing and Canoe Journey as a meaningful purpose activity and an alternative to substance use and misuse of alcohol and drugs, including:
• Support for physical training when weather conditions do not permit canoe practice on the water.
• Support for daily on-water practice when weather conditions permit.
• Support for participation in canoe race competition on a regular basis.
• Support for Canoe Journey activities by organizing stops and giveaways.
• Support for Canoe Journey activities in learning regalia, singing, and dancing.
• Recruit at-risk youth from the Tribal community and from Tribal programs, schools, courts, and TANF for prevention services.
• Coordinate counseling efforts with chemical dependency, mental health, and other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and social workers.
• Draft and maintain client referral service agreements describing the policy and procedures for referring participants to NWOL Prevention programs with Tribal Education, Social Services, Housing, TANF, Police, Tribal Court, and others, for Project Supervisor review and approval.
• Act as an advocate to resolve participant and program problems in accessing care or program services.
• Confer with family members or others close to participants to keep them informed of planning and progress.
• Coordinate activities with schools, courts, probation officers, community services, and other post-treatment agencies, and act as liaison between participants and medical staff, schools, and court systems as needed.
• Participate in case conferences and staff meetings.
• Supervise volunteers and chaperones during prevention activities.
• Train supervisors and chaperones to ensure safety and to handle behavior management.
• Provide lead direction to other prevention workers in the development of activities and coordination of wrap-around care services, as assigned by the Project Supervisor.
• Conduct research, collect data, monitor activities, and distribute pre- and post-surveys; provide data and results to the Project Supervisor and CD Program Manager and assist with report writing.
• Assist in developing, reviewing, and evaluating progress toward the measurable prevention goals in the SAMHSA and chemical dependency program strategic plans.
• Assist the Project Supervisor in carrying out prevention activities specific to the project, and with coordination of the processes associated with SAMHSA goals and objectives.
• Assist in research and development of sustainability plans for the project.
• Prepare activity reports as requested by the Project Supervisor.
• Meet at least once per week with the Project Supervisor to assess prevention program progress and planning.

Skills

Coastal culture ceremonies

Northwest Tribal communities

Deadline management

Ethical and professional behavior

Effective communication

Independent work

Willingness to travel

Education

AAS Degree or 4 years related experience

120 hours chemical dependency training

Job description

The Nooksack Indian Tribe Health Department seeks a Chemical Dependency Prevention Specialist to lead front-line prevention work, including culture-based youth activities, canoe racing, and community outreach. You will recruit participants, coordinate referrals, and collect data supporting SAMHSA reporting.

Work closely with tribal programs and regional schools to address alcohol and drug misuse among Native communities, building collaborative prevention strategies and culturally-informed