Prevention Specialist

Phoenix House California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix House California is seeking a Prevention Specialist to deliver culturally relevant behavioral health and prevention education for at-risk youth and families. The role includes collaboration with schools and community partners, data collection for outcomes, and presenting group and individual educational sessions.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma, a preferred bachelor's degree, and experience with SPF-aligned prevention programs; bilingual Spanish is a plus.

Qualifications

• Requires working knowledge of MS Office applications and data/documentation practices.
• Experience or training in evidence-based prevention approaches and community education.
• Spanish language skills preferred to support diverse youth and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally relevant prevention education to at-risk youth and families.
• Coordinate and implement behavioral health and prevention services with schools and community partners.
• Conduct crises intervention, screenings, and referrals for assessment and services when needed.
• Collaborate with school personnel to develop strategies for behavioral health and prevention.
• Present and facilitate group and individual education sessions.
• Promote research-based curricula and ensure fidelity to programs.
• Collect data and complete required reports for compliance and outcomes.
• Develop community linkages to market and integrate Phoenix House prevention services.

Skills

MS Office

Evidence-based prevention

Bilingual Spanish

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Reporting to the Prevention Coordinator, the Prevention Specialist is responsible for providing culturally relevant school and community-based behavioral health, prevention education, positive character development, and intervention services to at-risk youth and their families based on evidenced-based practices which are appropriate to age, population, literacy, culture, and development. The Prevention Specialist participates in all documentation and data collection as required for quality improvement and outcomes measurement. The Prevention Specialist collaborates with school personnel and teachers professionally and positively to achieve the shared goals and objectives of the project.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide prevention education using Positive Actions, and other evidenced-based practices, crises intervention, and referrals to at-risk youth, their families, and school personnel.
• Assists in the coordination and implementation of behavioral health and prevention services, working with schools, community groups, and other agencies.
• Conduct crises intervention, behavioral health screenings, and/or referrals for assessment and services when needed.
• Collaborate with school personnel to develop strategies addressing behavioral health and prevention and address alternative education and behavioral placement opportunities for students.
• Present, facilitate, and co-facilitate various groups; individual, family, and public education presentations.
• Promote and utilize research-based curriculum for youth to ensure fidelity to Positive Action and other evidenced-based practices as assigned.
• Collect data and complete reports for compliance with the school district, county, state, or funding agency requirements.
• Form relationships and linkages with organizations in the local community to develop community resources, market, publicize, and integrate Phoenix House prevention services.
• Attend and participate in a local school, community, staff, and other meetings in accordance with program needs.
• Complete in a timely fashion, all records, and reports both written and electronically as required by program standards.
• Maintain positive, cooperative, and manually supportive relationships with the team members, school administrators, students, and parents.
• Attends all required staff training sessions in accordance with Phoenix House and state licensing requirements and completes all training on time.
• Attends and participates in program and all staff meetings.
• Adheres to and promotes the Phoenix House Mission, Vision, and Values while acting as a role model for others.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Credentials

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• One (1) year experience providing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention services prior to employment. Education may be substituted for experience where coursework is directly related to an ATOD prevention or 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, and Evaluation.
• Experience engaging and/or organizing community members, businesses, and community leaders in the implementation/adoption of a community and/or population-based effort.
• Must maintain a valid California Drivers' License, have proof of automobile insurance, and maintain a safe driving record based on Phoenix House policy.
• Must maintain a valid credential (if required for your position) during your employment.
• Must obtain TB test clearance and update on a yearly basis.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment and adherence to Phoenix House Mission, Vision, and Values: I CARE For– Integrity, Collaboration Appreciation, Respect, Excellence, and Forward-Thinking.
• Proficiency in MS Office systems.
• Ability to implement evidence-based strategies and prevention concepts for addressing alcohol-related community problems and contributing factors.
• Competency to work with the various ethnic/cultural groups in the target area/community.
• Ability to utilize an electronic healthcare record.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced changing environment.
• Ability to establish and consistently enforce appropriate boundaries with patients.
• Ability to model positive behavior and demeanor.
• Understanding of addiction, co-occurring models, and treatment modalities.
• Understanding of patient development and family systems.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to be flexible, problem solver, self-directed, customer service-oriented, and collaborative.
• Skills and ability to engage and develop a rapport with patients and families of various backgrounds.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Mental Demands

Ability to actively engage with clients in a substance abuse and mental health treatment environment. Stress tolerance; working in rural and/or urban environments, participating in client treatment outcomes. Memory and learning; ability to maintain in a constantly changing environment. Emotional intelligence; includes crisis intervention. Work environment: travel may be required (varies by location), in-office work.

Physical Demands

Ability to lift and move object as much as 25 pounds with or without assistance, can require extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, or being on your feet especially in the clinical and residential settings. May need to participate in outdoor or recreational activities with clients. Occasional repetitive tasks. Ability to conduct First Aid and CPR in the event of an emergency. Required to undergo regular health screenings such as but not limited to TB test, Covid testing, vaccinations, etc.