Community Development Specialist

Executive Headquarters (117 West 124th St)

47000-52000

Position Summary: Children's Aid (CA) received funding from the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to establish a Regional Prevention Resource Center (RPRC). The purpose of the RPRC Community Development Specialist/Trainer is to provide training and technical assistance to local coalitions and OASAS providers located in the five-boroughs. Well-developed coalitions are able to combine resources that lower risk factors and increase protective factors which contribute to the promotion of healthy development of young people decreasing problem behaviors such as substance misuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, dropping out of school and violence. CA is seeking a highly motivated, energized Prevention Professional to assist with the mission of the RPRC.

In 2009, the New York City Prevention Resource Center was established to increase community health and wellness by facilitating the creation of community partnerships focused on reducing the impact of alcohol and drug abuse in their neighborhoods. The Resource Center offers free technical assistance to each community to identify and mobilize local stakeholders to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate a series of individual and community strategies working to improve the overall conditions of the area.

Under the supervision of the NYC PRC Director, the Community Development Specialist (CDS) is responsible for working with coalitions to identify their needs and provide the appropriate training and technical assistance as needed.

Essential Duties:

• Serve as Community Development Specialist for New York City Partners of Prevention (POP) and organize and facilitate monthly NYC POP meetings, weekly subcommittees, development of social media posts, and Environmental Change strategies.
• Represent NYC POP at community events, health fairs, community board meetings, and other citywide venues.
• Facilitate a partnership with the coalitions, prevention providers, and NYC POP (citywide coalition) to help create marketing and public information campaigns to educate, promote and foster local and regional coalition development.
• Outreach to and work with existing community coalitions throughout the region, as well as helping in the development
• of new coalition and community partners.
• Provide training and technical assistance to new and existing coalitions, OASAS prevention providers, and other community organizations on prevention best-practice, community-level change, and environmental change strategies.
• Work in collaboration with PRC staff to plan and execute community networking events and other meetings with the aim of increasing prevention capacity throughout New York City.
• Interact with prevention providers, and coalition members on a regular basis.
• Assist with community/coalition substance misuse prevention-related trainings and coalition development in support of RPRC's success.
• Complete the Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) and complete course work to become a certified SAPST Trainer.
• Stay up to date on current social media marketing strategies and platforms, as well as CANVA and Constant Contact.
• Assist with the creation and dissemination of a quarterly NYC PRC Newsletter.
• Additional duties as requested by NYC PRC Director.

• In-person collaboration is an essential function of the job.
• Perform additional duties as requested by NYC PRC Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree with relevant substance misuse prevention experience OR Bachelor's Degree, required.

Key Competenices

• Must possess a friendly and engaging demeanor that enjoys meeting new people and forming new relationships.
• 1-3 years of experience working in the prevention field and knowledge of alcohol and other drug model programs.
• Knowledge of and experience with environmental strategies and the Strategic Prevention Framework.
• Background working with community-based coalitions or organizations, community readiness issues, needs assessments, strategic planning and project implementation.
• Experience with community organizing in an urban/metropolitan setting.
• Workshop development and strong facilitation/presentation skills and experience.
• Able to periodically travel to upstate/out-of-state conferences and meetings.
• Credentialed Prevention Professional preferred.
• Data and research collection and analysis skills desired.