School of Social Work

The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a Substance Use Prevention Program Coordinator

The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a full time Substance Use Prevention Program Coordinator to join the Public Health Program as we support the Agency as it tackles some of our community’s most pressing problems. This mission driven work is innovative, fast-paced and meaningful.

The Substance Use Prevention Program Coordinator will implement community-driven efforts to advance substance use prevention in communities of high-need. The Coordinator will build upon work already happening in neighborhoods with the highest rates of child abuse and neglect to implement effective, evidence-based strategies to reduce substance use and address behavioral health disparities among youth. They will be responsible for helping to develop a Learning Community model, bridging four school districts to improve their behavioral health infrastructure. The Coordinator will also partner with healthcare providers to implement evidence-based practice improvements to meet the behavioral health needs of young people at greatest risk for substance use.

The grant-funded project will focus on specific neighborhoods in Cumberland County: East Bayside, Riverton and Parkside neighborhoods of Portland; Redbank/Brickhill neighborhood of South Portland; Brown St. in Westbrook; and Lower Main St., Bridgton. While supporting neighborhoods in developing individualized, data-driven assessments and action plans, the Coordinator will also focus on implementing universal strategies to reach all youth living in the four communities.

The ideal candidate will:
• work intimately and collaboratively with TOA’s Community Builders and neighborhood social service providers;
• utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework to design neighborhood-specific activities and supports;
• be highly skilled at developing relationships to build consensus and buy-in for prevention efforts;
• possess the ability to see and communicate the “big picture” vision for the community;
• meanwhile, maintain a results-oriented, data-driven approach to their day-to-day project management.
• Will have knowledge of restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and/or social justice work in some combination;
• Have excellent facilitation and training skills and an ability to manage multiple concurrent projects;
• Will have experience working with diverse populations, including engaging geographically isolated communities, LGBTQ youth, youth and adults of color, and/or youth, adults and families living in poverty;
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
• Exhibit extensive software skills and Internet research abilities.

This is a Full Time, 40-hour per week, hourly position serving Cumberland County.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree required; a degree in Community Health, Public Health preferred. A graduate degree in Public Health, Community Health, Public Policy or related field preferred.
• Prevention Specialist-Certified (PS-C) or Prevention Specialist-Provisional (PS-P) preferred – must complete application for provisional Prevention Specialist Certification within 90 days of employment and obtain certification within the established certification period and then maintain and uphold certification status.
• Previous experience in public health program coordination required.
• Must be able to exert moderate physical effort with occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry material weighing up to 50 pounds.
• A valid driver’s license and good driving record is required.
• All candidates must pass an extensive criminal background check, child protective services and sex offender check and must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.

The Opportunity Alliance has an extensive benefit package including:
• Generous paid time off
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost
• Dental and Vision insurance options
• Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match

The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a multi-service, comprehensive, high impact organization providing 46 integrated community based and clinical programs serving more than 20,000 people annually throughout the state of Maine. TOA tackles some of our community’s most pressing problems: poverty, homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and domestic violence. Our programming draws from a wide range of resources, blending evidence-based practices with practical experience and community resources. TOA is a trauma informed organization and we utilize clinical approaches in training staff and designing programs.

The Opportunity Alliance is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are viewing this listing on a third-party website, please visit our Careers page at http://www.opportunityalliance.org/careers