Sr. Prevention/Intervention & Resource Specialist

Senior Prevention/Intervention & Resource Specialist_Public Health

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Street Smart Youth Project (SSYP) is an innovative youth- development organization, specializing in the provision of evidence- based prevention and early intervention programming for under- resourced youth, young adults and communities. The organization believes in creating a tribal/communal experience, which prioritizes dosage over time for optimal impact. SSYP seeks to ensure that all under- resourced minority youth will have affirming, and innovative development environments. This approach endeavors to create a talented pool of educated, skilled, trained and passionate individuals who are equipped to maximize their shared identity to push youth’s personal, cultural, health and academic growth, sociopolitical consciousness, and socio-emotional well-being.

SSYP provides structured ongoing professional development opportunities for its small but mighty team, to build the mindsets, skills, experience, and knowledge needed to actualize effectiveness and create impact within the population served; with the ultimate goal of the advancement of under- resourced youth, families, and communities. SSYP programs prioritize qualitative over quantitative practices.

PROGRAM

Street Smart Youth Project currently operates various youth development initiatives, focusing on evidence-based prevention and early intervention services. Specifically, programming endeavors to increase protective factors, whilst decreasing risk factors for under-resourced minority youth. SSYP programming is youth driven and designed to increase self-efficacy and self-determination for all participants.

THE ROLE

This position is responsible for coordination and direct health promotion services delivered to youth and young adults for prevention and early intervention programming at SSYP including group facilitation of evidence-based health interventions. Evidence-based interventions address HIV/STD/ teen pregnancy, substance abuse prevention as well as life skills and wellness. Additional youth development activities will promote alternatives to risk behaviors. Candidate must be drug and tobacco free and have the ability to model healthy behaviors for population served. Street Smart Youth Project believes that behavior change can be the direct result of exposure to new experiences, information and/or healthy relationships. We are seeking a unique candidate who is motivated, creative, dedicated and can teach, mentor and implement quality interventions, which affect behavior change.

Criminal background check mandatory.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports implementation of public health strategies using strategic framework models.
• Supervises/advises Prevention Specialist(s)
• Plans, develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates public health interventions in one of several specialized areas including sexually transmitted diseases, maternal, child, adolescent health and alcohol/substance abuse.
• Recommends public health needs by collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to identify appropriate individual and community health education interventions.
• Co- Facilitates, reviews and evaluates the implementation of public health interventions to ensure the proper application of program methods and materials and to provide the opportunity to share program experience.
• Evaluates the extent to which programs meet their objectives and impact the target population's knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, practices, and behaviors, by utilizing appropriate data collection methods such as pre-and post examinations, focus groups, surveys, and questionnaires. Utilizes evaluation findings and community input for future planning and policy development.
• Serves as the technical authority in a specialized area of public health education.
• Provides support to Project Coordinator and provides technical supervision and interpretation of policies for substance abuse and STI prevention programming via individual and environmental strategies.
• Refers/link youth to appropriate social services as needed
• Helps maintain an orderly, safe, and welcoming environment for all participants
• Attends all on- site and off- site training relative to job duties
• Recruits, welcome, attract new participants to various programs
• Provides written input and/or activity notes for inclusion in project reports
• Upon request, assists with presentations about Street Smart Youth Project and its program offerings
• Refers/link youth to appropriate social services as needed
• Helps maintain an orderly, safe, and welcoming environment for all participants
• Attends all on- site and off- site training relative to job duties
• Recruits, welcome, attract new participants to various programs
• Provides youth development and outreach services in community settings
• Provides written input and/or activity notes for inclusion in project reports
• Upon request, assists with presentations about Street Smart Youth Project and its program offerings.   

Skills and Knowledge:

A Master's Degree with specialization in health education and/or public health with 2 years’ experience in health education or equivalent or; a Bachelor’s degree in health education with at least 4 years of health education experience at the level of Health Educator.

Experience: 

• Experience working with under-resourced youth and young adults;
• Ability to work independently with fidelity and accountability;
• Experienced group facilitator;
• Reliable, non-judgmental about sex, sexuality and substance use;
• Enjoys collaborating with a team and brings forth positive energy and creativity;
• Mature, patient, and flexible, with a sense of humor;
• Familiar with the stages of change, public health and cognitive behavioral models;
• Familiar with a wide range of community services and resources – from the criminal justice system to public schools, technical schools and recreational facilities.

Selection Requirements:
A Master's Degree(MPH prioritized) with 2 years’ experience in health education or equivalent or; a Bachelor’s degree in public health with at least 4 years of health education experience. Familiar with state level strategic prevention framework strategies.

Compensation: 

Salary for this position is commensurate with education and experience. Employee benefits include medical insurance, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 401K plan, and paid time‐off. In addition, there are incentive- based strategies inter-woven throughout. Professional development opportunities include travel nationally.

APPLICATION 

Interested candidates should submit a resume ATTN: Tamica Moon, MPH at info@streetsmartyouthproject.org. Instead of a cover letter, we ask that you submit a brief statement outlining your philosophy of creating unique prevention programs, which address the social determinants of health, specifically as it pertains to under- resourced minority youth. Please limit your response to 2500 characters or less. Due to the number of applicants, only viable candidates will be contacted.

Street Smart Youth Project provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Compensation: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

COVID-19 considerations:
The organization utilizes a COVID-19 Safety Preparedness Plan guided by current CDC recommendations. Remote work and staggered in- person schedules are implemented.