Substance Use Prevention Program Coordinator

County of San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Pension benefits

Job summary

The County of San Luis Obispo is seeking a Limited Term Program Coordinator to support public health strategies on opioid use, overdose, and emerging substances. This full-time role initially focuses on kratom derivatives while building capacity to identify threats.

The position collaborates across public health, behavioral health, healthcare, and policy, translating data into prevention plans and educating partners. It is funded through 06/30/2027 with benefits comparable to permanent staff.

Qualifications

• Combination of education, training, and experience in public health settings.
• Ability to translate data and research into prevention strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Monitors and synthesizes local data on opioids, kratom, and other substances to inform prevention strategies.
• Develops and coordinates education and outreach strategies addressing emerging substance risks.
• Builds relationships with community organizations and healthcare partners.
• Delivers materials, trainings, and data briefs translating complex information for partners.
• Supports development of policies addressing emerging substances and opioid harms.
• Organizes cross-departmental projects to enhance collective impact.
• Evaluates program activities and uses feedback to strengthen prevention.

Skills

Data analysis

Public health education

Community engagement

Policy development

Partnership building

Education

Associate's degree

Job description

The San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health is seeking a Limited Term Program Coordinator to support public health strategies addressing opioid use, overdose, and emerging substances. This position will initially focus on emerging addictive products, including highly concentrated kratom derivatives such as 7-OH, while building the County's capacity to identify and respond to emerging substance-use threats.

The position works at the intersection of public health, behavioral health, healthcare, community engagement, communications, and policy. Responsibilities include translating emerging data and evidence into prevention strategies, strengthening community and healthcare partnerships, supporting education and outreach, and informing policies that protect community health.

This is a full-time, limited-term position currently funded through June 30, 2027, with potential for annual extension contingent upon County approval for continued funding. Employees in limited term positions receive benefits equivalent to permanent full-time employees, therefore they will be eligible to earn vacation, sick leave, health, and pension benefits.

TYPICAL TASKS AND REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Monitors and synthesizes local data and research related to opioids, kratom, and other substances to identify trends and inform prevention strategies and community response.
• Develops and coordinates public education and community engagement strategies addressing emerging substance risks, overdose prevention, and available resources.
• Builds relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, and other partners serving populations affected by substance-related harms.
• Develops and delivers educational material, data briefs, presentations, trainings and other resources translating complex information into clear, practical information for community and healthcare partners.
• Supports healthcare provider education related to emerging substance use, overdose prevention, naloxone, screening, treatment, and referral pathways.
• Supports development and communication of evidence-based policies addressing emerging substances and opioid-related harms.
• Organize and map projects and activities across County departments, local jurisdictions, healthcare organizations, community partners, and other stakeholders to enhance collective impact.
• Evaluates program activities and uses data and partner feedback to strengthen prevention strategies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles and practices of substance use and overdose prevention; health education, including healthcare provider education; and community engagement and communication.
• Research methods, data interpretation and visualization, and evaluation principles.
• Community capacity building and collaborative partnership building strategies.

ABILITY TO:

• Research and quickly develop working knowledge of emerging addictive substances that threaten community public health.
• Translate scientific, medical, policy, and data-driven information into clear and accessible materials.
• Establish and maintain effective, cooperative working relationships with healthcare providers, community organizations, government agencies, and diverse community partners. Facilitate collaboration across programs, departments, and organizations.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse audiences, including community members, healthcare providers, community organizations, stakeholders and partners.
• Coordinate multiple projects and priorities simultaneously and move work forward independently.
• Develop, schedule and deliver effective presentations, trainings and educational materials. Analyze information, identify trends and issues, and recommend practical approaches and programmatic recommendations.
• Adaptto changing data, policies, and community needs.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team and organize own work for successful fulfillment of objectives
• Utilize computer systems and software to manipulate, clean, organize, and analyze data; create data visualizations, tables, reports, presentations, and educational materials; and track program activities, reach, and outcomes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

• A: Possession of an associate's degree from an accredited college or university. In addition, one year of experience assisting in financial, budgetary, coordination, communication, service delivery, or program operations;
• B: One year of experience performing work equivalent to a Supervising Administrative Assistant;
• C: Three years of experience performing clerical work equivalent to an Administrative Assistant III.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. Confidential inquiries are welcome.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.