Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist II (#RS1025)
$27.43-$33.34 Hourly / $4,754.00-$5,778.52 Monthly / $57,048.10-$69,342.32 Yearly

Under general supervision, performs substance abuse prevention services in San Joaquin County Prevention and Treatment Services Program; coordinates services or components programs; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the second level in the Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist series. This class is characterized by the responsibility for developing, implementing and monitoring community substance abuse prevention programs. Working independently, incumbents provide a wide range of group and individual outreach, utilizing a variety of prevention methods. Incumbents carry a variety of responsibilities, involving specialized duties and/or have responsibility for special assignments such as coordination of component programs, staff development on community events/ projects.

• Plans, organizes and coordinates substance abuse prevention activities coordinating program components with providers of related services; assists representatives of the schools and community in development of educational components compatible with the goals and objectives of the San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Prevention program; evaluates progress and effectiveness of program activities and recommends modifications as necessary.
• Develops and maintains community resource network and close working relationships with participating schools, businesses, and local community organizations. May be assigned to participate as agency and/or program representative on local committees and/or task forces.
• Plans and conducts individual and group sessions; discusses and evaluates individual and family behavioral, social, and psychological issues which may affect participation; conducts educational group sessions dealing with legal, social, and community issues; conducts alcohol and drug awareness educational sessions and/or youth development training.
• Conducts interviews; obtains program participant background information; may complete financial information; collects fees; observes program participant progress.
• Maintains program participant records; prepares reports and correspondence; prepares narrative and statistical reports including grant proposal applications, television, radio, news articles and brochures to publicize programs and activities.
• Selects and monitors volunteer staff; develops and implements comprehensive training and orientation programs; maintains records of progress and work performed; provides evaluations and references for volunteer staff.

Methods and techniques of individual assessment and/or group facilitation, physiological and sociological aspects of alcohol and drug abuse and dependency; substance abuse prevention methods and outreach techniques; youth development; needs, problems, attitudes, and behavior patterns of persons suffering from alcohol and drug addiction; basic principles of human behavior; basic principles of cultural development; community resources and agencies (i.e. public agencies, private enterprise, school districts, social services organizations, etc.); and first aid/CPR. Current and effective substance abuse prevention methods, effective methods of instruction.

Evaluate program participant and/or family needs; establish and maintain effective working relationships with program participants, community agencies, co-workers, and the public; maintain records and write reports, communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; understand and accept differences in human behaviors and cultural backgrounds; develop and maintain appropriate educational programs; determine appropriate action in emergency or stressful situations; collect and analyze data to establish/identify needs and evaluate program effectiveness; prepare funding proposals; maintain confidentiality of information.

Mobility-Occasional keyboard operation; frequent sitting for long periods; occasional walking, standing for long periods, pushing/pulling, bending/squatting; frequent driving; occasional climbing stairs; Lifting-Occasionally lifts up to 30 pounds; Visual-Frequent overall vision, reading/close up work; occasional color perception, hand eye coordination, peripheral field of vision; Dexterity-Occasional holding, reaching, grasping, repetitive motion; frequent writing; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing normal speech, telephone, talking in person; occasionally talks over public address; Emotional/Psychological-Exposure to occasional emergency situations, trauma, grief and death; frequent decision making, public contact, travel; occasionally works weekends and nights.