Prevention Specialist

Vivent Health; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & paid holidays

401(k) with employer match

Parental leave (12 weeks)

Employer-subsidized health coverage

Tuition reimbursement & licensure

Job summary

Vivent Health seeks a Prevention Specialist in the Madison, WI area to lead community outreach focused on harm reduction and safer health practices. You’ll educate individuals in non-traditional settings, distribute prevention materials, and connect people to confidential testing and care services.

You’ll work with an interdisciplinary team, document outreach activities, and participate in events. A driver’s license and willingness to travel are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Comfort discussing sexuality, orientation, gender identity, and substance use.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and adapt in the field.
• Willingness to travel throughout the service area.
• Sensitivity to and respect for people impacted by HIV and related health disparities.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a personal and company vehicle for work-related travel.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach with priority populations in community settings.
• Provide prevention education, materials, and harm-reduction resources; connect to confidential HIV testing where applicable.
• Conduct one-on-one education, assessments, and referrals to internal and external services.
• Participate in and help plan community events and outreach initiatives.
• Document services accurately in internal systems.
• Contribute to grant reporting and other duties as assigned.
• Adhere to confidentiality, compliance, and agency policies.

Job description

We’re on a mission to end HIV/AIDS through integrated, personalized, judgment-free care. That means meeting people where they are and supporting the whole person - medically, socially, and emotionally. And everyrole here plays a part in that mission.

We believe healthcare works best when it’s rooted in equity, dignity, and access for all. At Vivent Health, we’re building a culture where every person - both patients and employees - feels seen, respected, and empowered to thrive.

But what truly sets us apart is how we work.

You’ll be part of a deeply collaborative, interdisciplinary team united around one goal: better outcomes for the communities we serve. Our model brings together medical care, behavioral health, pharmacy, research, and prevention, creating a holistic approach that changes lives every day.

This isn’t just a workplace.
It’s a community.
It’s a mission.
It’s your chance to be part of something bigger.

Choose Vivent Health and turn your work into purpose.

A Day in the Life of a Prevention Specialist

No two days look the same, and that’s exactly why this role matters.

You start your day checking in with your supervisor and teammates, sharing where you’ll be heading into the community today. Maybe it’s an afternoon visit to a barber shop or bar where conversations flow more easily than in an office. Maybe it’s taking the van out in the community and working one‑on‑one with folks who use drugs to ensure they have the harm reduction supplies they need. Maybe it’s connecting with people at a community event, Pride gathering, or outreach site where trust matters more than titles. Your work happens where people already are.

Throughout the day, you build real relationships. Meeting people with curiosity, respect, and zero judgment. You talk openly about sexual health, safer sex, safer drug use, PrEP, and prevention options in ways that feel human and accessible. You offer education and resources, not lectures or requirements. Harm reduction guides your approach, meeting people where they are, not where someone else thinks they 'should' be.

You distribute prevention, harm reduction, and safer‑use materials, provide one‑on‑one education, and make referrals to services like confidential testing, PrEP, medical care, substance use treatment, or housing. While documenting your work in our data system ensures your outreach is visible and funded, outreach and engagement are the heart of your work. You might spend time planning an upcoming community event or coordinating outreach locations. You stay flexible, curious, and grounded, shifting plans when the community needs something different that day.

By the end of the day, you’ve helped create safer spaces, reduced stigma, and made Vivent Health visible as a trusted, welcoming presence.

This Role Is a Great Fit If You:

• Thrive in people‑centered, community‑based work
• Are comfortable starting conversations in nontraditional settings
• Believe in harm reduction and non‑judgmental care
• Can talk openly about sexuality, gender, substance use, and prevention
• Value trust, consistency, and showing up as yourself
• Appreciate that documentation is how we can show our work to current and potential funders

We strongly encourage applicants whose backgrounds include community‑facing, relationship‑driven work, such as bartending or hospitality, community health work, peer support roles, Peace Corps or service work, and criminal justice or re‑entry support settings. Lived experience and deep community connection matter here.

Important note: This role is grounded in harm reduction and person‑led decision‑making. It is not focused on abstinence‑only or sobriety‑driven approaches.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Conducting outreach with priority populations in a variety of community settings
• Providing prevention education, materials, and harm‑reduction resourcesConnecting folks to confidential and anonymous HIV, HCV, syphilis, and STI testing (where applicable) in accordance with state guidelines
• Conducting one‑on‑one education, assessments, and referrals to internal and external services
• Participating in and helping plan community events and outreach initiatives
• Documenting services accurately and timely in internal systems
• Contributing to grant reporting, special projects, and other duties as assigned
• Adhering to all confidentiality, compliance, and agency policies

What You Bring

Required:

• High school diploma or GED
• Comfort discussing sexuality, orientation, gender identity, and substance use
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and adapt in the field
• Willingness to travel throughout the service area
• Sensitivity to and respect for people impacted by HIV and related health disparities
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a personal and company vehicle for work‑related travel.

Preferred:

• Experience with HIV prevention, PrEP education, or community health outreach
• Experience presenting to groups or facilitating conversations
• HIV Prevention Certification or CHES (or willingness to obtain)

STATEMENT OF INCLUSION:

Vivent Health is an equal opportunity employer and will recruit, hire, promote, and transfer qualified persons into all job classifications regardless of race, gender, religion, skin color, national origin or ancestry, physical disability (including pregnancy), mental disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, veteran status, genetic characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. Vivent Health complies with other expanded protected classifications that specific county or municipal regulations may mandate.

Vivent Health is deeply committed to fostering respect, dignity, and understanding for all individuals affected by HIV, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic. We are dedicated to cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment that champions advocacy, education, and compassionate care for everyone in our diverse community.

Going beyond the law’s requirements, Vivent Health places great importance on fostering a culture that celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We actively seek qualified candidates from different racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds, as we believe that differing perspectives and experiences make us stronger as an organization. Vivent Health encourages all interested persons to apply for this position, and we look forward to learning more about your unique background and qualifications.

As a recipient of federal funding, Vivent Health will not hire nor enter a contractual relationship with any party debarred, suspended, or excluded from federal assistance programs.

Pay Rate Range:

Starting at $24.00/hourly (Depending on Experience)

The final salary will be determined based on factors such as market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications. Please note that it is uncommon for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range.

• Generous PTO, including 12 paid holidays
• 401(k) with 100% employer match up to 5%
• 12 weeks fully paid parental leave for benefits‑eligible employees after one year
• Employer‑subsidized medical, dental, vision, and gender‑affirming care
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure assistance
• Benefits for full‑time and eligible part‑time roles

Public Student Loan Forgiveness

Employment at our organization may qualify you for federal student loan forgiveness programs. We do not directly pay for – nor forgive – federal student loans; however, our status as a not-for-profit organization under Section 501 (c) (3), makes us an eligible employer. There may be other determining factors for one to qualify.

Please follow this URL to review one such program and their requirements:

Yes . Local and surrounding counties travel

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.