Prevention Specialist I, II or III (Behavioral Health) (Grant Funded)

Provides evidence-based training, technical assistance, and educational presentations to schools, communities, organizations, and other groups to increase their understanding of prevention and alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) related problems, mental health, and behavioral risk factors. Educates consumers by providing accurate, relevant, and appropriate information to encourage healthy lifestyles. The prevention of alcohol and other drug abuse or dependency is a specialty field requiring performance by competent and professional individuals. These individuals must recognize the disease model of ATOD as well and as a bio-psychosocial-spiritual approach to promoting recovery from ATOD. They must also recognize the harm reduction model. These individuals must support ongoing research and technology and remain open to new techniques as are proven workable and effective.

Routine duties shall include providing health care services to individuals eligible for services following the self-governance company and funding agreement between the Cherokee Nation and the United States executed under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Practices only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their documented education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience. Plans and coordinates school and community-based prevention strategies modeling collaboration by networking with colleagues, other professionals, individuals, and community organizations to ensure effective prevention services. Provides evidence-based, prevention programs to communities, schools, and organizations to address public health issues related to mental health, substance abuse, and behavioral risk factors. These areas and schools are defined by Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Services. Maintains a caseload of school, community, and organization-based prevention programs. Submits monthly reports to supervisor providing documented attendance, location, and time of programs. Conducts key informant interviews, focus groups, environmental scans, and surveys and submits findings to supervisor. Gather data from archival sources. Submits quarterly reports of assessment findings to the supervisor to ensure current needs are being met. Develops collaboration with other tribal, state, and local agencies, and organizations. Attains knowledge of current evidence-based prevention theory and practice by participating in appropriate educational opportunities. Connects prevention theory and practice by using current research and program models to prepare effective educational and skill development activities. Review professional literature and apply sound prevention theory and practice by adapting or developing programs to meet the identified needs of the target population. Tailors the education and skill development activities by gathering information about the knowledge and skill levels of the intended audience to maximize program effectiveness. Maintains fidelity when replicating evidence-based prevention programs by implementing them faithfully or making only adaptations that do not compromise program integrity to ensure program effectiveness. Delivers culturally competent education and training by identifying and working with representatives or key community members for the intended audience to identify appropriate content, methods, resources, materials, and evaluation tools using informal and formal processes to determine community readiness and ensure diverse participation. Engages all relevant community sectors when conducting prevention activities. Conducts evaluation activities of the prevention program using the selected measurement tools to determine program effectiveness and demonstrate accountability. Refines the prevention program by reviewing and incorporating findings of the evaluation to enhance program effectiveness. Submits results to supervisor. Promotes advocacy for prevention by conducting prevention awareness campaigns to strengthen public and organizational policy and norms. Assists in preparing applications and reports to grant agencies and the Tribal Institutional Review Board. Practices ethical behavior by adhering to legal and professional standards to protect consumers and promote the integrity of the professional. Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibility.

EDUCATIONAL & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

Prevention Specialist I

Bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university; no substitutions. Required field(s) of study to be in Social Work, Psychology, Health Education, Education, or other related fields of study. At least one (1) year of experience in a related field.

Prevention Specialist II

Bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university; no substitutions. Required field(s) of study to be in Social Work, Psychology, Health Education, Education, or other related fields of study. At least two (2) year of experience in a related field.

Prevention Specialist III

Bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university; no substitutions. Required field(s) of study to be in Social Work, Psychology, Health Education, Education, or other related fields of study. At least four (4) year of experience in a related field.

COMPUTER SKILLS

An individual should know database software, Internet software, spreadsheet software, and word processing software.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must possess a valid driver's license with a driving history verified through a motor vehicle report that meets the requirements for Cherokee Nation underwriting rating. This position will be traveling to schools and community events. Must possess Basic Life Support (BLS) and maintain throughout employment. BLS can be obtained during orientation.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

The employee must not be and will not be under sanction by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or by the General Services Administration (GSA) or listed on the OIG's Cumulative Sanction Report, or the GSA's List of Excluded Providers, or listed on the OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Must meet and maintain periodic background investigation and adjudication for child care. The ability to speak Cherokee is a plus. Experience working in communities preferred. Creativity, communication and organizational skills, knowledge of contemporary and scientifically based models of behavioral health prevention.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. The employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.