Substance Use Prevention Coordinator

Summary

This position leads, plans, develops, implements, and evaluates substance use prevention programs in Lincoln County using best practices and activities with a data driven approach to develop system changes and reduce the impact of substance use in Lincoln County.  This includes opioid misuse and youth access and use of marijuana, tobacco, and vapor products.  This position will coordinate a team approach working with county departments, community members, healthcare providers, and community leaders to promote prevention resources, coordinate community response resources and implement strategies to reduce the burden of alcohol, opioids and other drugs and substances on people, families, and the community.  This position will also work with community partners, including schools, to address youth substance use prevention and risk reduction. 

This position performs duties that require discretion when preparing, disclosing, and handling information that is confidential, controversial, or sensitive in nature.  This role may communicate and maintain confidential records, be privy to information and documentation that require discretion including sensitive information with respect to employer-employee relations.  This position only requests access for relevant confidential information needed to perform this role and responsibilities.   

Program Activities

The following program activities and responsibilities may be covered under this job specification and are considered essential functions of the position: 

• Coordinate substance use program activities by collaborating with community partners to address substance use issues and strengthen recovery-oriented systems of care that promote long-term harm reduction.
• Collaborate with the communications team to provide substance use information and develop educational materials.
• Conduct community outreach to promote the substance use services and resources offered by the Public Health.
• Expand partnerships with County leadership and multi-sectoral partners, including community-based organizations and faith-based organizations, schools, community members and individuals with lived experience.
• Connect strategy to education and prevention strategies to program goals, funding requirements, and culturally appropriate approaches.
• Assisting Lincoln County in developing and implementing strategies funded through opioid settlement funds
• Develop and implement strategies that will lead to long term involvement of community partners, organizations, and individuals to reduce substance use. 
• Develop comprehensive ongoing public health campaigns to raise awareness while decreasing the stigma associated with substance use as a barrier for seeking treatment. 
• Work with partners and stakeholders to increase availability of evidence-based treatments. 
• Work with partners to identify and develop social services in support of individuals in recovery. 
• Collaborate with partners to increase substance use treatment options throughout the region.   
• Coordinate with area schools to increase substance use education.     
• Monitor data to measure effectiveness of intervention strategies.            
• Speak to community groups, schools and partners as requested on topics related to substance abuse. 

Leadership

• Represent the LCPH in a professional manner, providing services with basic tact and courtesy.  
• Occasionally prepare and present health information and data to a wide array of audiences. 
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with state, local and community partners. 
• Model strong leadership and promote a professional work environment.  
• Participate in professional organizations, group meetings, coalition at the local, regional, and state level. 

Qualifications

• Education 
  • Required – bachelor’s degree public health, behavioral health, addiction studies, social or health science field or related field. 
• Experience:
  •  Preferred - Two years of related experience working in substance use or behavioral health  prevention field.  
    • Preferred project management experience, building collaborative relationships. 

Required Certifications and Licensure

• Valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain within 30 days). 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Providing participant centered customer service. 
• Knowledge of prevention science and issues surrounding substance use, prevention, intervention, and community mobilization. 
• Knowledge of child and youth development and effective engagement strategies. 
• Knowledge of harm reduction strategies and successful implementation.
• Developing rapport and encouraging open communication with partners. 
• Organizing and synthesizing information to evaluate and prioritize the information appropriately. 
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. 
• Skill in analyzing, compiling, recording, and assessing data to draw accurate conclusions.   
• Time management skills. 
• Work well with people of varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. 
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).  
• Ability to exercise initiative, tact, discretion, and judgement in carrying out responsibilities.  
• Skill in communicating effectively within a sometimes-stressful environment. 
• Ability to provide technical expertise and support to staff through coaching, mentoring, and training. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse population of clients, community-based agencies, and departmental personnel. 
• Ability to research and stay informed on emerging substance use trends.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations. 
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Computer literacy. To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Products such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Access. In addition, an individual must have the ability to learn software used in the Health Department. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Indoors, sedentary up to 8 hours/day sitting or standing. 
• Outdoors, up to 4 hours/day walking, standing, or driving. 
• Up to 8 hours/day keyboarding or typing at a computer terminal. 
• Ability to drive in various climates (rain, snow, wind, sun, mud, varied air quality levels, extreme temperatures, heat/cold, etc.). 
• Ability to navigate sites (uneven ground, climbing up/downstairs, etc.) on an occasional basis.  
• Communication skills to interact effectively with people. 
• Comprehend and process verbal communication. 
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations. 
• Visual acuity to read and write. 
• Ability to discern colors, odors, and sounds. 
• Ability to bend, twist, stoop on a regular basis. 
• Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 40 pounds on a regular basis. 
• Ability to type, file, and complete forms.   

Work Schedule

This position is nonexempt and is overtime eligible based on the provisions listed in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The regular workweek is 40 hours, Monday through Friday 8:00 – 4:00pm.  

Travel: 

• Travel, primarily within the jurisdiction of LCHD and within the state, is required to attend meetings, attend conferences, and seminars.  
• A LCHD vehicle will be provided for use. However, as a condition of employment, employees may be required to utilize their private vehicles in the performance of their duties but will be reimbursed for mileage.  

Emergencies: When public health responds to an emergency you may be assigned duties that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.