What are the responsibilities and job description for the Prevention Specialist position at YSS?
Job Details
Job Location: Jacobson Center Headquarters - Ames, IA
Position Type: Part Time
Salary Range: $17.28 - $19.23 Hourly
Travel Percentage: Up to 50%
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Prevention/Mentoring
We are YSS!
YSS is looking for a dedicated, compassionate, and genuine full-time Prevention Specialist to join our Community, Youth & Family Development Team! The person in this role will promote, implement, and maintain evidence-based prevention programming for youth and/or adults in Story County.
Serving as a role model, the Prevention Specialist will work to establish youth led initiatives, assist established youth development groups, and work on environmental strategies related to the goals of their position. The Prevention Specialist will also contact and recruit local community businesses or agencies to employ at-risk youth, placing youth in jobs aligned with their interests/talents. Other responsibilities include:
- Providing evidence-based prevention programs and education to community members in a number of various areas pending school and community needs, including:
- Substance Abuse Awareness,
- Youth Employment Education,
- Human Trafficking Awareness,
- Healthy Relationships and Life Styles,
- Suicide Prevention, and
- other topics as needed/trained.
- Providing opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills and influence peer decision making.
- Providing weekly youth employment groups at YSS Youth Residential Programs.
- Completing statistical reports and compiles records.
- Utilizing pre and post surveys to measure program success.
- Acting as a consultant and resource person for school staff and the student body within the school setting.
- Establishing and maintaining a good working relationship with the community.
- Promoting prevention programs through public speaking engagements, the print media, television, and radio appearance.
This description is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.
We value your lived experience.
Do you have personal experience with substance use or addiction, with at least two years of current, continuous recovery? Are you passionate about sharing your story to support others on their journey to stability and healing?
If you can you serve as a positive role model for sustained sobriety, providing mentorship, guidance, and hope to residents, we strongly encourage you to apply for this position.
What you can expect in return...
We believe in your potential, we meet you where you are, and we invest in your future.
In addition to a welcoming workplace, collaborative and supportive colleagues, and mission-driven work that creates hope and opportunity by putting kids first, YSS offers the following benefits for this position:
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
- Accrued PTO, plus paid time off for holidays, your birthday, and volunteering
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee recognition program
- Personal wellness programs
- Pet insurance discounts
- PSLF Program qualification
- Retirement offerings
- Training opportunities
What we ask...
We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a “Can Do” Spirit.
MUST HAVES - to qualify, you need:
- Bachelor's degree in education, child development, family environment, sociology or social work.
- Two years of experience working with youth in a group setting.
or
- Associate's degree in education, child development, family environment, sociology or social work.
- Four years of experience working with youth in a group setting.
plus
- Completion of the Prevention Specialist certification is required within 24 months of employment
- Travel, including transporting clients, is required for this position. For YSS insurance purposes, you must:
- be 21 years of age,
- have a valid, state-issued, driver's license,
- have a clean driving record, and
- have adequate insurance coverage per YSS policy.
SHOULD HAVES - we would also like you to:
- Have a Teaching Certificate
- Be a skilled public speaker, writer, and listener, able to share information and concepts with various audiences.
- Understand issues of substance use, substance use disorders and the needs of youth facing substance use and dependency.
- Understand available chemical dependency treatment interventions and other intervention strategies available to address these needs.
The IDEAL candidate:
- Speaks a language(s) in addition to English.
- Has lived experience they can draw on to support others on the journey to stability, recovery, and healing.
About YSS...
One of Iowa's oldest and largest, youth-serving, nonprofit organizations, YSS's mission is to create hope and opportunity by putting kids first. We offer education to build healthy minds and bodies; counseling to overcome life’s challenges; and stability to focus on the future. With our newly-opened, 50-acre, recovery campus , YSS is growing and evolving to meet the needs of our communities. Our goal is to create a continuum of care together, with programs that give youth the tools they need to succeed their entire lives.
YSS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We believe that our strength lies in the unique perspectives and backgrounds of our employees. We strive to create an environment where all individuals are treated with respect and have equal opportunities to succeed. Our ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are central to our mission, and we are dedicated to continuous improvement in these areas.
YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.
The YSS Hiring Process
Communication with applicants is done primarily via email from our Paycom system. Please check your messages regularly. If you don't see messages in your inbox, please check your spam/junk folder. If you have questions about your application, please email recruitment@yss.org.
- Application - Complete an online application at https://www.yss.org/ysscareers/.
- Assessment – Applications are reviewed for qualifications.
- Interview – Initial phone interviews or direct in-person/virtual interviews..
- References – Submit name, title, email, and phone number for three or more references.
- Pre-employment Screening – YSS conducts criminal background checks and motor vehicle checks. If applicable, professional licensure is also verified.
- Offer – Selected applicants will receive a formal offer of employment in the Paycom system.
- New Hire Meeting - You must schedule and attend this meeting before you can begin working or getting paid.
Salary : $17 - $19
