Positive Youth Development Prevention Specialist

Job Title: Positive Youth Development Prevention Specialist

Location: Stark County Area

Organization: Pathway Caring for Children

Employment Type: Full-time

About Us:

At Pathway Caring for Children, we believe in the power of compassionate care, resilience, and proactive solutions to build stronger futures for children and families. Our work is rooted in our seven core values: Love, Recognize, Respect, Security, Success, Responsibility, and Personal Involvement. If you're passionate about making a lasting impact in your community and empowering at-risk youth, this opportunity is for you.

Position Overview:

Do you thrive in environments where you can inspire change and provide hope? As a Positive Youth Development Prevention Specialist, you'll use your expertise and passion to educate youth and families on life skills, substance abuse prevention, and mental health. You'll be trained in evidence-based practices, including Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), to deliver dynamic, life-changing programs to schools, community groups, and families.

You will be a connector and advocate, building vital relationships and collaborating with referral sources to expand the reach of Pathway's programs. You will be part of a dedicated team working to help youth make positive, informed choices, all while using your creativity to shape programming that meets the unique needs of your community.

What You'll Do:

• Plan, organize, and lead prevention programs that foster life skills, resilience, and positive decision-making.
• Build connections with schools, community organizations, and families to expand program awareness and support.
• Facilitate group activities that inspire youth to pursue healthy lifestyle choices.
• Gather and report data that demonstrates the impact of your work, while continuously improving the effectiveness of programs.
• Manage and grow referral sources to ensure that services reach those who need them most.

Does This Describe You:

Imagine yourself thriving in a role where:

• You naturally connect with youth and families, creating an environment where they feel heard, understood, and empowered.
• You face challenges with resilience, staying patient and focused on long-term change, knowing that small steps lead to big transformations.
• Your organizational skills keep programs running smoothly, while your attention to detail ensures accurate data and reporting.
• Teamwork comes naturally, and you love collaborating with others to build a supportive, inclusive community.
• You're adaptable, adjusting your approach to meet the diverse needs of those you serve.
• You're proactive and self-motivated, always looking for ways to grow programs, relationships, and the positive impact you're making.
• Clear and confident communication is one of your strengths, whether leading a group session or engaging with stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Credentialed, or willing to become credentialed, as a Prevention Specialist through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.
• At least 6 months of experience working with at-risk children, teens, and families.
• Experience in facilitating group activities and collaborating with community partners.
• A valid driver's license, good driving record, and automotive liability insurance.
• Must pass background screening as defined in OAC code 5101:2-5-09.

Training & Development:

You'll receive specialized training in TBRI and other evidence-based prevention models, along with ongoing professional development to stay at the forefront of youth intervention strategies.

Why Pathway?

Joining Pathway means becoming part of a movement. Here, you'll find more than just a job-you'll find a mission. We offer a supportive environment, ongoing training, and opportunities for personal and professional growth, all while making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Submit your resume to share with us how your passion and skills align with our mission to strengthen children and families through innovative, compassionate prevention programs.

Pathway is a smoke free and drug free organization. All applicants must be able to pass a background check.