Substance Use Prevention Specialist

Wake County Public School System; Cary (NC); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake County Public School System is seeking a Counselor, specifically a Substance Use Prevention Specialist based in Cary, NC. This position involves developing and implementing substance abuse prevention programs, collaborating with school staff and community agencies, and providing consultation services. A Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field and five years of relevant experience are required. The role offers a hybrid work schedule and interacts with various stakeholders to deliver effective educational programs.

Qualifications

• Must have knowledge of local and national substance use trends.
• Five years of experience in substance abuse education.
• Ability to collaborate with various stakeholders effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement substance abuse prevention programs.
• Provide consultation on intervention strategies for students.
• Collaborate with community agencies for substance abuse services.

Skills

Substance use prevention knowledge

Crisis response skills

Effective communication

Time management

Strategic problem-solving

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Master’s degree in social work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Apps

Job description

Overview

POSITION TITLE (Oracle title)

COUNSELOR

WORKING TITLE

Substance Use Prevention Specialist

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

School Counseling

LOCATION

Crossroad II, Cary, NC

PAY GRADE

School Counselor/Social Worker salary scale

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

Yes

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends) Position is available for a Hybrid Telework workweek

POSITION PURPOSE

Under limited supervision, performs a variety of substance abuse prevention in elementary, middle, and/or high schools. Assists in developing, implementing, and facilitating quality substance abuse prevention programs for students. Collaborates with school personnel, other support staff, parents, students, and various community agencies to deliver effective substance use prevention education and tobacco cessation services to students and staff. Performs other duties in student services and monitors prevention and intervention services in the elementary, middle, and/or high schools. Performs special projects, as needed. The position and grant are scheduled to end at the completion of the 2030-2031 school year.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Comprehensive knowledge of substance use prevention and intervention programs;
• Comprehensive knowledge of current local, state, national, and global trends in substance use prevention and intervention;
• Considerable knowledge of program evaluation to support continuous improvement;
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Apps;
• Effective skills in creating and managing effective presentations, including the capability to use relevant technology;
• Effective crisis response skills;
• Effective strategic planning skills and experience supporting system-level improvement;
• Effective time management and organizational skills;
• Strategic problem-solving skills;
• Ability to facilitate effective meetings;
• Ability to support a collaborative working environment;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, students, parents, community groups, vendors, external agencies, and the public.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services, Health Education, or a related field;
• Five years of successful experience working with adults and/or adolescents on substance abuse education, prevention, and intervention issues; OR
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Hold or be qualified to hold a North Carolina Professional Educator’s License for school social work, school counseling, or related area;
• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of NC requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, education, or a related field.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists elementary, middle, and/or high school administrators, school support staff, and other school personnel in developing, implementing, and evaluating substance abuse prevention services.
• Collaborates with schools and departments to discuss issues related to substance abuse prevention services in the schools.
• Provides consultation to school personnel on identification and intervention strategies for students identified as having substance abuse problems.
• Provides services to high-risk students in the alternative and other special schools on an as needed basis.
• Provides substance abuse prevention education classes in the schools.
• Provides tobacco cessation services to students and staff, as needed.
• Intervenes with students and families to coordinate substance abuse services, as needed.
• Consults with community agencies in providing outside services to schools.
• Maintains records and provides reports of services rendered.
• Provides substance abuse prevention workshops for schools, parents, and the community.
• Reviews various publications and attends workshops, seminars, etc. to continuously upgrade professional knowledge.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, students, parents, external agencies, and the community. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force. The work requires driving automotive equipment.

EFFECTIVE DATE

9/2025

EFFECTIVE DATE: 9/2025

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.