Lead Prevention Specialist

abhs; Whiteriver (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ABHS in Whiteriver, AZ seeks a Lead Prevention Specialist to coordinate youth and family substance abuse prevention services. You will lead staff, align activities with program goals, and ensure effective implementation of evidence-based practices with cultural adaptations.

You will promote healthy lifestyles, provide leadership and program oversight, and cover for the Prevention Services Program Manager when needed. Strong communication and collaboration with partners are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; four years’ related experience in substance use prevention or related fields preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with diverse groups; Native American experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee staff to achieve program deliverables.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback.
• Coordinate youth substance abuse prevention and family services.
• Develop and deliver prevention trainings and public health campaigns.
• Supervise volunteers and maintain program documentation.
• Coordinate community engagement meetings and cultural activities.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Driver's license

Public speaking

Education

High school diploma

AA/Bachelor’s degree preferred in mental health/public health or related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

POSITION: LEAD PREVENTION SPECIALIST
CLASSIFICATION CODE: NON-EXEMPT FULL TIME
DEPARTMENT: PREVENTION
REPORTS TO: PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER

Statement of Job: The Lead Prevention Specialist coordinates and leads substance abuse prevention services for youth, families, and community members through the Youth and Family Prevention Initiative. This position oversees prevention activities, coordinates staff and program deliverables, and ensures services are implemented effectively using evidence-based practices with culturally appropriate adaptations. The Lead Prevention Specialist promotes healthy lifestyles and positive behaviors by planning, facilitating, and evaluating prevention strategies, while providing leadership, operational support, and program oversight. The position also serves as the program's acting lead by providing coverage and maintaining continuity of operations in the absence of the Program Manager.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee staff to achieve program deliverables.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and regular performance feedback to enhance team productivity.
• Collaborate with program manager to align team efforts with organizational and department objectives.
• Ability to problem solve and communicate effectively.
• Understanding of grant funded programs.
• Provide coverage for prevention program manager when needed.
• Recruit and supervise program volunteers; maintain documentation of all services in the program.
• Coordinate youth substance abuse prevention and family services utilizing evidence-based curriculums.
• Organize community-based engagement meetings, parent substance abuse awareness groups, youth led social media campaigns.
• Coordinate youth/elder storytelling media and incorporate cultural activities for youth (burden baskets, camp dress making, storytelling, cultural foods, etc.).
• Perform responsible alcohol, tobacco, and other drug training, facilitation, and alternative activities targeting selective youth; deliver related services to older adults and develop environmental strategies to impact communities.
• Develop family-based programming (groups, family nights, etc.).
• Monitor data collection and assessment of substance abuse prevention and implementation activities.
• Track participant data for reporting.
• Process program paperwork in accordance with agency/program deadlines and prepare and submit monthly/quarterly reports.
• Develop public service announcements; participate in speaking engagements, health fairs, conferences, and other health promotion activities as designed by program supervisor.
• Collaborate with schools and communities to facilitate substance abuse prevention services, including prevention education, alternative activities, information dissemination, problem identification and referral, and community-based processes.
• Network with other prevention and social services agencies to provide comprehensive services, identify needs and make referrals.
• Provide information sessions for parents, teachers, staff, or tribal entities when requested.
• Document all program activities as required and submit reports and records according to agency and grant guidelines.
• Provide in-service training to staff on topics appropriate to expertise, interest, and knowledge.
• Attend training, seminars, workshops, and classes as required by the agency.
• Assist in community outreach, including substance abuse awareness campaigns (e.g., Red Ribbon Week), health fairs, business expos, parades, and other events to build community awareness and provide anti-use messages.
• Must conduct a minimum of 30-minute alcohol, marijuana and other drugs presentations for youth and adults with an educational goal directly tied to prevention or reduction of use.
• Must facilitate age-appropriate prevention activities (minimum 30 minutes) that teach and reinforce skills for a healthy, substance-free lifestyle and have explicit education goals to prevent or reduce substance use/abuse.
• Implement programs that provide growth experiences and exposure to healthy activities to deter use/abuse of violence, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
• Implement family-based programming and develop parenting education and family activities.
• Abide by all applicable policies, procedures, and program standards of ABHS, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Indian Health Services, AHCCCS, and other regulatory authorities.
• Maintain ethical policies and guidelines as outlined in state ethics laws, rules, policies, and discipline-specific code of ethics.
• Provide a positive role model to clients and staff, treating all with dignity and respect.
• Report to work in a timely manner and communicate with supervisor regarding attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or assistant director.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma with a minimum of four years’ work-related experience in substance use prevention or related areas; AA/bachelor’s degree in mental health/human services/public health or related field preferred. Experience working with Native Americans preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people, teams, managers, and supervisors.
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
• MS Office proficiency and ability to operate a copy machine and fax.
• Ability to pass all pre-employment testing, including fingerprint clearance, drug testing, and background checks.

Note: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473).

Essential Functions

The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Constant: standing. Frequent: repetitive use of hands, walking, standing, bending neck and waist, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting neck and waist, simple grasping, power grasping, fine manipulation, pushing/pulling, reaching above/below shoulder level, and lifting objects up to 25 pounds from below the waist to a height of 3 feet.