About this role
Why Prairie Ridge?
At Prairie Ridge, prevention is more than education, it's about creating healthier communities before problems become crises. As a Prevention Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact by building partnerships, delivering evidence-based programs, and empowering individuals, schools, businesses, and communities with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. If you're passionate about public health, community engagement, and making a meaningful difference, you'll find purpose, collaboration, and support as part of a team dedicated to improving lives in our
POSITION SUMMARY
The Prevention Specialist I is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering evidence-based substance use prevention programs, education, and community engagement activities throughout Prairie Ridge's service area. This position builds collaborative relationships with schools, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders while implementing grant-funded prevention initiatives with fidelity. The Prevention Specialist I maintains accurate documentation, supports community coalitions, and promotes healthy, informed communities through education, outreach, and prevention strategies that align with Prairie Ridge's mission and the Strategic Prevention Framework.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Treat all individuals with dignity and respect while maintaining agency standards of confidentiality, professionalism and objectivity.
• Day-to-Day Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Seek out community members, businesses and groups to provide prevention programs, policy reviews and updates and activities as outlined in the grants and the Strategic Prevention Framework.
• Maintain accurate and timely records for direct and indirect services, daily time logs, mileage and expenses as required by any grants assigned to.
• Accurately complete all required agency and grant documentation within required timelines.
• Prepare Evidence Based Programs and deliver with fidelity, as required by grants. Be knowledgeable on current statistics and program content relevant to the population of focus for presentations.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with community members, schools, community coalitions and other community stakeholders.
• Coordinate meetings and tasks each week to maintain a full schedule and meet direct service requirements.
• Travel by car to towns within the eight-county service area to provide substance-related information to businesses, community members and schools as needed.
• Complete other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Experience in prevention program implementation, public speaking, and understanding of the grant process and expectations is preferred. Staff need to have excellent computer, organizational, written & verbal communication skills.
The Prevention Specialist 1 staff members may be asked to obtain PRIME for LIFE certification and facilitate monthly OWI classes (Friday night and all-day Saturday) for extra hourly income.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science degree or commensurate experience in education or human services field.
• Willingness to obtain Prevention Specialist I Certification within 18 months of hire.
• Understanding and demonstration of the Mission, Vision and Values of Prairie Ridge.
• Valid driver’s license, valid car insurance, means and ability to travel within the service area and to trainings, as required.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is often required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to thirty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.