Prevention Educator

Passionate about public health and community outreach? Want to make a real difference in substance misuse prevention and education? Join Penobscot Bay Community Health Partnerships (PBCHP) as our next full-time Prevention Educator!

In this role, you'll work with schools, businesses, and community organizations to educate, advocate, and implement strategies that promote healthier, substance-free communities across Knox and Waldo counties.

Location: Home base in Rockport; frequent travel within Knox & Waldo Counties; occasional statewide travel

Start Date: June 1, 2025 (potential for part-time start in May for training)

What You’ll Do:

• Lead engaging prevention programs for schools & organizations
• Advocate for policy change & harm reduction
• Collaborate with local leaders, recovery groups, and law enforcement
• Drive sustainable, positive change in Maine communities

Why Join Us?

• Make an impact where it matters most
• Work with a passionate, mission-driven team
• Enjoy professional development opportunities

Competitive Benefits Package

• Paid-Time Off (PTO)
• Day 1 access to 403(b) retirement investment account
• Optional health, vision, dental, and long-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Free family membership to the Y (current value: $972/year)
• 20% discount on Y programming, including childcare, camp, and afterschool care.

Essential Functions

• Implement culturally appropriate substance use prevention strategies in the approved work plan by working closely with the Director of Community Health Promotion, the state public health district, and local partners.
• Create and present engaging public educational offerings on substance-use prevention topics to schools, organizations, and community members.
• Effectively promote the free resources made available by PBCHP to encourage participation.
• Build relationships with other community sectors in Knox and Waldo Counties, including but not limited to schools, law enforcement, recovery organizations, healthcare/behavioral health providers, alcohol and cannabis retailers.
• Contribute to PBCHP social media and marketing under the guidance of the Director of Community Health Promotion.
• Recruit local stakeholders in PBCHP Community Partnership Meetings and build mutually beneficial relationships to aid our mission to support healthier living in Maine.
• Collaborate with related state and/or federal agencies to ensure project requirements are successfully attained, including timely completion of reporting and record-keeping requirements.
• Maintain ongoing understanding of health communication, policy work, social determinants of health, environmental strategies, and leveraging local partnerships to drive sustainable, positive change.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Community Health Education, Education, Behavioral Health or Social Work preferred. Directly related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Hold Provisional Prevention Specialist (PPS) Certification, or obtain upon employment.
• Within 18 months of employment, must complete educational and experience requirements to obtain the Maine Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) Certification. The CPS cost is currently covered by PBCHP.
• Demonstrated understanding of health communication, policy work, social determinants of health, environmental strategies, and leveraging local partnerships to drive sustainable, positive change.
• Strong oral and written communication skills appropriate for professional interactions.
• Functional competency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Zoom - or willingness to learn.

Necessary organizational abilities:

• Planning, coordination, and management of projects with effective organizational skills.
• Facilitating and managing group processes.
• Self-directed mentality to work independently within the scope of a project.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks under competing deadlines.

Necessary relational abilities:

• Cultivation and care of relationships with key stakeholders.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills to handle safety concerns and unexpected incidents.
• Self-awareness, active listening, and other skills necessary for effective teamwork.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

At the Penobscot Bay YMCA, we strive to create an accessible and inclusive application and selection process. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to job applicants who may require provisions to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes. Should you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources by email at hr@penbayymca.org and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.