Prevention Specialist

Job Purpose

To provide direct service to youth, families, and communities throughout the 8-county Brazos Valley area using funding agency approved education/skills training programs. Strategies shall address underlying factors that lead to substance use and behavioral health challenges, including adverse childhood experiences, social determinants of health, or other youth, family and community risk and protective factors. Activities will include curriculum education, information dissemination, health fairs, alternative activities, tobacco compliance checks, and any other components required by the funding agency.

• Address health and wellness for youth, families, and communities by enhancing protective factors while reducing risk factors through promising, emerging, and/or evidence-based education and skills training.
• Enhance community awareness and mobilization around behavioral health by providing responsible behavioral health education, information dissemination, problem identification & referral, individual and/or group facilitation and alternative activities, including planning, organizing, and implementing programs.
• Prepare and implement curriculum education and services for universal, selective, or indicated youth according to requirements established by funding sources.
• Participate in health fairs and other community-based programs, representing BVCASA and the prevention department.
• Complete all documentation and reports in a timely manner for submission to supervisor and to funding agency.
• Assist in administrative and managerial duties as assigned or required.
• Respond to all communication from both internal and external sources in a timely manner.
• Participate in agency wide activities as needed to meet the goals and objectives of the organization in furthering its mission.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Youth Prevention Services Director or Executive Director.

Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree in health, social work, education, or social service-related area with at least 2 years of experience working with youth. Graduation from an accredited college with an associate’s degree with at least 4 years of experience working with youth. Graduation from an accredited high school with at least 10 years of classroom experience.

• Must have experience working with youth in a classroom environment.
• Must enjoy working with youth and adults.
• Must be willing to drive 95% of the time.
• Must have strong public speaking & communication skills.
• Must be willing to work some nights and weekends.
• Must have extensive computer skills. (Microsoft word, excel & email)
• Must be able to create, develop, and present behavioral health topics.
• Must be able to work well with and relate to people from diverse communities and socio-economic status.
• Must have the ability to establish rapport with program participants and community.
• Must have great organizational skills.
• Must be able to meet deadlines.
• Must be able to correctly complete required documentation & paperwork in a timely manner.
• Must work well as a team.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish/English preferred, but not required.

• Must obtain an Associate Prevention Specialist (APS) designation within 18 months of employment for this program.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Must have a current driver’s license, auto insurance, reliable transportation, and a home telephone.
• Must have a positive attitude and flexibility.

BVCASA is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.