Substance Use Prevention Program Manager

Center for Community Research, Inc; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Center for Community Research, Inc is seeking an experienced Substance Use Prevention Program Manager in San Diego. You will lead major program workstreams from planning through implementation, coordinating with CCR staff, prevention providers, and partners across six HHSA regions.

The role focuses on capacity building, training, and stakeholder engagement to meet funder requirements. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement in San Diego, requires 4+ years of relevant experience, and

Qualifications

• 4+ years managing programs, projects, grants, or contracts with multiple concurrent workstreams and funder reporting requirements
• Experience providing technical assistance, training, coaching, or capacity-building support
• Experience facilitating workgroups, coalitions and/or stakeholder meetings with agendas, materials, and follow-up
• Strong independent judgment, critical thinking, and written and verbal communication
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel across San Diego County

Responsibilities

• Manage major program workstreams from planning through implementation, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and contract requirements are met
• Build and maintain practical workplans and tracking systems, refining them over time
• Monitor progress, flag challenges and emerging needs, and communicate priorities to leadership
• Coordinate with CCR staff, prevention providers, contractors, and partners to keep activities aligned
• Maintain documentation and prepare reports, data summaries, and progress updates for funders and leadership
• Lead CCR's alcohol server safety trainings and serve as a key contact with ABC

Skills

Program management

Training & TA

Facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in public health/related field

Equivalent experience

Job description

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt | Reports to Executive Director | Location: San Diego, CA (hybrid)

ABOUT CENTER FOR COMMUNITY RESEARCH (CCR)

For over 15 years, the Center for Community Research has helped communities across San Diego County prevent substance misuse through local data, evidence-based strategies, and strong partnerships. We work alongside community-based organizations and government agencies to turn research into action that keeps people healthy and safe.

THE ROLE

CCR is hiring an experienced Substance Use Prevention Program Manager to lead key components of a large substance misuse prevention contract for the County of San Diego. Working collaboratively with a small team, you'll own specific program deliverables from planning through implementation and funder reporting. The role does not include direct staff supervision.

In this role, you'll translate contract requirements into clear, actionable plans; manage timelines and deliverables; and coordinate activities with CCR staff, prevention providers, contractors, and community partners across San Diego County's six HHSA regions. You'll also build the capacity of prevention providers through training and technical assistance, facilitate a countywide prevention workgroup, oversee CCR's special-event alcohol server safety training program, and serve as CCR's primary contact with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

You’ll thrive in this role if you enjoy turning plans into results, bringing structure and momentum to complex work, and helping community partners do their best work. You'll have a high degree of autonomy, managing your own workstreams and keeping leadership informed of progress, risks, and needs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Program & Contract Management

• Manage major program workstreams from planning through implementation, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and contract requirements are met
• Build and maintain practical workplans and tracking systems, and refine them over time
• Monitor progress, flag challenges and emerging needs, and proactively communicate priorities and recommendations to leadership
• Coordinate with CCR staff, prevention providers, contractors, and partners to keep activities aligned and on track
• Maintain accurate documentation and prepare reports, data summaries, and progress updates for funders and leadership

Capacity Building & Training

• Provide technical assistance to prevention providers, helping them apply the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and other evidence- and community-informed approaches
• Develop and deliver community prevention trainings and internal staff development training
• Identify capacity gaps and bring in subject matter expertise or other resources as needed
• Stay current on prevention research, frameworks, and best practices

Facilitation & Partnerships

• Facilitate a prevention workgroup and other meetings, including preparing agendas, materials, and notes, and member follow-up
• Build effective working relationships with providers, contractors, and partners
• Support community input forums held across the county's six HHSA regions, and other stakeholder engagement that informs countywide prevention planning

Alcohol Prevention Leadership

• Lead CCR's alcohol server safety trainings, providing education for volunteers and staff at community events where alcohol is sold, including scheduling, intake, materials, and completion documentation
• Serve as CCR's key contact with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
• Facilitate the countywide alcohol prevention workgroup
• Provide alcohol-related technical assistance to prevention providers and community groups

WHAT YOU BRING

Required

• 4+ years managing programs, projects, grants, or contracts with multiple concurrent workstreams, defined deliverables, timelines, and funder reporting requirements
• Experience providing technical assistance, training, coaching, or capacity-building support to professional or community audiences
• Experience facilitating workgroups, coalitions and/or stakeholder meetings, from agenda and materials to follow-up
• Strong independent judgment, critical thinking, and written and verbal communication, with the ability to proactively flag progress, risks, and needs
• Bachelor's degree in public health, psychology, behavioral health, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel throughout San Diego County

Preferred

• Experience managing a county, state, or federally funded program or contract
• Knowledge of alcohol prevention, alcohol policy, responsible beverage service, or familiarity with California ABC regulations
• Experience applying the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) or similar prevention planning frameworks
• Knowledge of San Diego County's substance misuse prevention landscape
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Annual Salary: $75,000–$87,000, depending on experience. CCR offers health insurance, paid time off, and paid holidays (details provided upon offer).

SCHEDULE, LOCATION & ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is based in San Diego, California, in a hybrid arrangement combining remote, office, and field work. This role requires the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends. Regular travel across San Diego County's six HHSA regions is required.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, use standard office equipment, and must be able to travel by vehicle across San Diego County. Employees may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds of event and training materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Employment is subject to a criminal background check prior to hire and annually thereafter.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

CCR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be asked to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.