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

• Delivers prevention programming and messaging directly to the community (schools, youth programs, health fairs, community events).

• Conducts outreach, engagement, and basic education on substance use risk, protective factors, and available services; often helps recruit participants.

• Provides feedback from the field to the coordinator and assists with simple data collection (attendance, surveys) but usually doesn’t own program design or high-level planning.

• At all times, they recognize that policy 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.

• Utilizes evidence-based practices.

• Conducts community-level data collection, such as community surveys, focus groups, key informant interviews, archival data collection, etc.

• May participate in developing and using data-driven Logic Models for program planning, implementation and evaluation

• Recognizes personal issues that have an impact on job performance and interactions with communities served and other staff.

• Always demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.

• 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; (Canva, Microsoft office 365).

Prevention Outreach Specialist Competencies and Performance Expectations

All Prevention Outreach Specialists are expected to:

• Conduct outreach in community activities, and education.

• Have knowledge of the referral process, both in and out of the BHS treatment system.

• Implement county-approved work plans.

• Ensure compliance with county, state, and federal funding requirements, including data collection and data entry requirements.

• Ensure entry of work plan activities into county/state approved data entry systems (Primary Prevention Substance Use Disorder Data Service).

• Train, coach, or mentor youth.

• Conduct and facilitate specialty groups and other prevention strategies and activities.

• Establish and maintain relationships with schools in the community to provide youth prevention services.

• Work as a team member in performing duties, responsibilities, and assignments.

• Comply with BHS safety requirements.