Youth Specialist -

Description

Job Title: Youth Specialist – Opioid Prevention & Cultural Wellness

Salary: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour – Non-Exempt, DOE

Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Hrs./WK: Forty (40) 

Department: Wellness 

Job Location: Tucson, Arizona 

Nature of Work: 

Embraces and embodies the Tucson Indian Center’s (TIC) Identity Document’s Mission, Purpose and Vision Statements; Core Values, Guiding Principles, and Strategic Goals. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating the planning, implementation, completion, and evaluation of the Pima County Opioid Supplement grant strategy goals and objectives. This position focuses on opioid misuse prevention, youth leadership development through the Youth Community Health Representative (CHR) model, and culturally relevant activities to build resilience and promote positive development. The incumbent will implement evidence-based and practice-based approaches to reduce risk factors for opioid misuse and substance abuse, while promoting mental health and family engagement. Strong connections to family and community support will be emphasized as protective factors. The role includes collaboration with schools, tribal partners, and community organizations to expand prevention efforts in culturally appropriate ways.

Essential Functions:

1. Program Coordination: Lead planning, implementation, and evaluation of opioid prevention and youth wellness activities.

2. Recruitment: Recruit American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth for the Youth CHR program and mentor them in leadership and health education.

3. Youth Activities & Events: Organize culturally relevant events and activities promoting resilience and identity (e.g., talking circles, traditional practices). Facilitate youth-led outreach and education on opioid prevention, mental health, and substance use risks.

4. Family Engagement: Promote family involvement in prevention activities to strengthen protective factors.

5. Evaluation: Collaborate with evaluator to assess program effectiveness and incorporate feedback.

6. Partnerships: Maintain collaborative relationships with schools, tribal organizations, and community partners and coordinate intergenerational learning opportunities involving elders and cultural leaders.

7. Evidence-Based Training: Provide opioid prevention and mental health education using culturally adapted, evidence-based approaches.

8. Reports: Prepare and submit monthly reports on program activities and deliverables. Maintain enrollment records, event logs, and survey data for program evaluation.

9. Social Networking: Submit content for TIC social media and newsletters to promote program visibility.

10. Performs other duties as assigned or requested. 

Supervisory Status:

Non-supervisory

Reports to Wellness Grants & Services Manager

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills and Ability:

• Understanding AI/AN cultures and traditions with the ability to integrate cultural practices into health education.
• Knowledge of protective and risk factors for opioid misuse and substance use disorders among urban AI/AN youth.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to engage youth and build partnerships.
• Familiarity with substance abuse prevention strategies and mental health promotion.
• Ability to coordinate grant-funded programs and comply with reporting requirements.
• Skills to recruit, engage, and retain youth in prevention and wellness activities.
• Ability to integrate cultural practices into health education and outreach.
• Knowledge of program evaluation and data collection.
• Strong organizational, facilitation, and communication skills, both oral and written.

Required Experience and Training:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in health, human services or business fields, such as public health, social work, education, or business; OR
2. Associates Degree with 3 years of experience in health/human services; OR
3. High School Diploma or equivalent with six (6) years of work experience in health, human services or business fields.

Additional Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License
• Must pass Driver Insurance Carrier’s requirements
• Must obtain a HIPAA certification within 2 weeks of hire.
• Must obtain certifications in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid within 3 months of hire.
• Must pass Arizona DPS Fingerprint Clearance (Class I & II)
• Must pass and submit to periodic/random drug testing

Working Conditions:

• Exposure to communicable disease & bloodborne pathogens, unpredictable environmental conditions, physical requirements.
• Exposure to communicable diseases such as COVID-19 or bloodborne pathogens is a risk of this position.
• Unpredictable environmental conditions range from working in a climate-controlled office/clinic setting to working in a patient’s home, outside, in extreme temperatures, or in spaces with poor ventilation.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and drive in the Tucson Urban area.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.