Prevention Outreach Specialist

Statement of Purpose

The Prevention Outreach Specialist provides oversight of daily operations of the prevention program, ensuring timely implementation of work plans and contract requirements. Works with individuals and community partners in providing evidence-based strategies and practices to prevent and reduce substance use/misuse problems and contributing factors in the target area.

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

• At all times, recognizes that policy work is now a major and essential function in community prevention.
• Maintains strict adherence to the Strategic Prevention Framework
• Displays familiarity and increased focus on universal prevention strategies
• Maintains a tight focus on evidence based practices
• Conducts community-level data collection, such as community surveys, focus groups, key informant interviews, archival data collection, etc.
• Develops and uses data-driven Logic Models for program planning, implementation and evaluation

• Writes clear (and concise) statements and reports, summarizing data, goals and objectives.  This may include letters to referral agencies, other community-based organizations, municipality, county, state and/or federal entities.
• Recognizes personal issues that have an impact on job performance and interactions with communities served and other staff.
• Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior at all times.
• Demonstrates respect for cultural and lifestyle diversities of communities served and staff.
• Prepares for, and facilitates specialty group sessions and other prevention strategies and activities.
• Communicates clearly with clients, staff, peers, supervisors and community resources. 
• Has a thorough understanding of computer operations; Windows and word processing (MS Word). 

Prevention Outreach Specialist Competencies and Performance Expectations

All Prevention Outreach Specialists are expected to:

• Provide oversight of daily operations
• Have knowledge of the referral process, both in and out of the BHS treatment system.
• Implement county-approved work plan
• Ensure compliance with county, state, and federal funding requirements, including data collection and data entry requirements
• Ensure entry of work plan activities into PPSDS
• Train, coach, and mentor staff
• Conduct and facilitate specialty groups and other prevention strategies and activities
• Work as a team member in performing duties, responsibilities and assignments

Comply with BHS safety requirements
 

Prerequisite Qualifications

Following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position.  Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A combination of education, training and work experience equivalent to:

• Minimum one year experience providing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention services.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred from an accredited college or university in behavioral science, psychology, health administration or a related field and five years experience in substance abuse treatment and/or prevention. Education may be substituted for experience where coursework is directly related to the ATOD prevention or Public Health fields.

Knowledge and understanding of AOD use, prevention planning and implementation including education, screening and referral, community-based and environmental prevention strategies

Knowledge and understanding of the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), Logic Models and their integral role in program planning, development and evaluation

Ability to plan, implement and evaluate prevention services

Good communication and writing skills required along with adequate record keeping, computer and math skills for performance of job duties.

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs.

Must have valid California driver’s license and, use of a personal vehicle with liability insurance for reimbursable mileage, generally short distances.

Vision, hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for performance of job duties.  Able to sit at desk, use keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties.  With the ability to move about the facility to observe clients and staff.

Specific qualifications may vary based on assignment. The supervisor will initial those items on the following list, which apply and write N/A to indicate those qualifications, which are not applicable:

_____  First Aid certification, obtain within 90 days of employment and maintain current thereafter.

_____  Personal vehicle with liability insurance for reimbursable mileage.

_____ CPR certification, obtain within 90 days of employment and maintain current

thereafter..

_____ Bi-lingual (specify: ___________________)

_____ Develop computer skills adequate to perform word processing duties within 90 days of employment.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements which may be inherent in the position.