Prevention Specialist- SOR

BHcare; North Haven (CT); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

BHcare in Connecticut seeks a Prevention Specialist to join the Alliance for Prevention & Wellness (APW) focused on the State Overdose Response. You will implement evidence-informed prevention strategies, build coalitions, and deliver trainings to reduce substance misuse and promote mental health.

Candidates must reside in Connecticut. The role requires collaboration with schools, healthcare providers, municipalities, and community organizations, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or Associate degree with relevant prevention experience.
• Experience or strong interest in substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.

Responsibilities

• Assist with community assessments, training coordination, outreach, and partner engagement.
• Implement evidence-informed prevention strategies and overdose prevention messaging.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with state, regional, and local stakeholders.
• Deliver educational presentations, trainings, and prevention programming.
• Support coalition development and community collaboration efforts.
• Collect and analyze data, and prepare grant reports.

Skills

Public health

Communication

Public speaking

Community engagement

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Psychology, Social Work, Health Sciences, Education, Counseling, or related field

Job description

At BHcare, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy, safe, and fulfilling life. Every day, our teams provide compassionate care and support to individuals and families throughout Connecticut through behavioral health, substance use, domestic violence, housing, and community-based services.

We are seeking a passionate Prevention Specialist to join our Alliance for Prevention & Wellness (APW) team with focus on our State Overdose Response. This role is ideal for a community-focused professional who is passionate about substance misuse prevention, mental health promotion, coalition building, and creating lasting positive change through evidence-based prevention strategies

Candidates must reside in Connecticut to be eligible for this position.

What You Will Do

This position will assist with community assessments, training coordination, outreach, partner engagement, and implementation of evidence-informed strategies such as overdose prevention, naloxone education, QPR/Talk Saves Lives, safe storage/disposal messaging, and drug take-back promotion. This role also helps strengthen community capacity through collaboration with local partners, technical assistance to grantees or coalitions, and recruits and on-boards Recovery Friendly Workplaces that reduce stigma and promote wellness. Conduct community needs assessments and identify prevention priorities.

• Build and maintain partnerships with state, regional, and local stakeholders.
• Deliver engaging educational presentations, trainings, and prevention programming.
• Support coalition development and facilitate community collaboration efforts.
• Develop and implement evidence-based prevention initiatives that address substance misuse and mental health concerns.
• Utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework to guide planning, implementation, and evaluation activities.
• Collect, manage, and analyze data, including entering activities into reporting systems and preparing grant reports.
• Participate in local, regional, and statewide meetings with community partners and prevention stakeholders.
• Leverage social media and technology to support prevention and health promotion efforts.
• Ensure compliance with grant and contract requirements and support achievement of program objectives.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Psychology, Social Work, Health Sciences, Education, Counseling, or a related field; or an Associate's degree with relevant prevention, community organizing, behavioral health, or military experience may be substituted.
• Experience or strong interest in substance misuse prevention, mental health promotion, community engagement, or public health initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation experience.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse community partners and stakeholders.
• Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credential or willingness to obtain certification
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

Why Work at BHcare

• Meaningful work that improves community health and wellness.
• Opportunity to collaborate with schools, healthcare providers, municipalities, and community organizations.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Supportive, mission-driven team culture.
• The ability to make a measurable impact on communities throughout South Central Connecticut.

What We Offer

The anticipated salary range for this position is $58,000-$65,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined based on a variety of factors including relevant skills, experience, qualifications, certifications, and internal equity considerations.

BHcare offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, company-observed holidays, a retirement savings plan, and other fringe benefits. Benefit eligibility may vary based on position, schedule, and applicable plan or policy requirements.

BHcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, marital or civil union status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.