Prevention Specialist - Youth Services

Prevention Specialist

Under the direct supervision of the Prevention Services Program Manager, provides direct and indirect prevention services to youth and families at school and community sites, including group facilitation, classroom education, and outreach. Also assists in program development and community outreach.

Facilitates small, process-oriented skills groups with targeted high-risk youth and their families, conducts skills-based classroom curriculums for students and teachers, and parenting classes with selected families.

Delivers evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention curricula with fidelity, following training guidelines and evaluation protocols.

Develops and maintains professional and community relationships and coordinates with community partners to organize and implement prevention programs to fidelity.

Schedules assigned billable hours in a timely manner and adheres to weekly, monthly, and annual direct service goals.

Prepares program lessons, packs and transports materials for groups, classes, meetings, and other informational/educational presentations.

Distributes, administers, and collects program forms and evaluation instruments.

Completes and submits all appropriate program and agency forms and documentation in a timely manner.

Assists with ordering, organizing, and maintaining program supplies.

Attends on-site work as scheduled and arrives at designated schools and program sites on time.

Participates in regularly scheduled team meetings, supervision meetings, in-service trainings, and continuing education workshops to maintain and enhance professional skills and professional licensing requirements.

Collaborates with agencies and other organizations who provide related services.

Assists with the development of program materials, activities, manuals, and curriculums.

Assists in training new prevention team members.

Performs community outreach at forums, health fairs, back-to-school nights, and other community events as needed.

Maintains current knowledge of effective prevention strategies and guidelines for best practice.

Performs other functions as necessary or assigned.

A bachelor's degree is preferred with an emphasis in social work, psychology, education, educational psychology, health education or a related field and two or more years of experience working with at-risk youth; or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Successful completion of SAPST Prevention Specialist certification within 6 months of hire.

Understanding of risk and protective factors and knowledge of current prevention theories and best practices.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills and experience teaching classes and facilitating small groups.

Willingness to accept supervision and direction.

Experience working with multi-cultural groups and ethnic minorities;
Ability to work effectively with individuals of various economic, social and ethnic backgrounds.

Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality regulations, agency policies and procedures, and interact in a professional manner with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public.

Organized self-starter with a team mentality and the ability to manage time effectively, meet deadlines, adapt effectively to change, handle stressful situations, and respond appropriately to crisis.

Demonstrated computer literacy and ability to operate audio-visual equipment.

Work hours are determined by the needs of the program. Tuesday evenings are required for 3 months of the year.

Driving is required: must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver's license, have a good driving record, and be insurable on the agency liability policy.

Access to a reliable method of transportation.

Must be able to pass Utah-DHHS – Office of Licensing background screening (and maintain eligible determination through continuous monitoring) and pre-employment drug screening.

Work is performed in an office and off-site;
Requires a lot of traveling, the ability to load and unload 35 pounds, walk up and down stairs, stand and sit for extended periods of time.

Work is sometimes performed in an office environment. May entail using a computer for extended periods of time.