Policy & Prevention Specialist – Substance Use Prevention

El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery. We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.

Our values: Service Focused, Collaborative, Accountable, Trustworthy, Transparent.

About the role

We are seeking a Prevention & Policy Specialist to join our small, high-impact public health team. In this role, you will address community issues around tobacco and vaping, cannabis, alcohol, and other substances. You will implement evidence-based prevention strategies, prepare progress reports in compliance with grant requirements, and adapt outreach and education to meet the unique needs of the community.

The ideal candidate has experience in community health promotion, community outreach, or stakeholder engagement; experience working with youth and adults of all ages and community coalitions; familiarity with grant reporting; and a solid foundation in public health. Three or more years of related experience is preferred but not required—prior roles may include Health Educator, Community Health Educator, or Program/Project Coordinator.

This position requires occasional evening and weekend hours for events and meetings. After 90 days, this position is eligible for a hybrid schedule. Our team prioritizes work-life balance, celebrates every success, and maintains open communication with an open-door policy.

Responsibilities

• Assesses individual and community needs for target populations and effectively advances programs and services.
• Works with key stakeholders and community partners to advocate for programs and policies that advance public health.
• May facilitate specific workgroups, partnerships, and collaborations to support and advance work.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings to address the needs of the program and assists in the development and coordination of strategic program plans.
• Collaborates with other staff to manage coalitions, including strategic efforts, meeting planning and facilitation, general coalition building, recruitment and relationship maintenance, and coalition communication.
• Builds, leads, and/or facilitates community coalitions, partnerships, and collaborations to support and advance program efforts.
• Conducts research on evidence-based programs for the purposes of program planning and development.
• Develops and monitors program components (goals, objectives, strategies, interventions, and activities) in a structured format using evidence-based strategies to address health education and public health objectives.
• Makes recommendations for evidence-based strategies to improve public health and policy development.
• Plans programming for target populations using a variety of educational approaches, including small and large group presentations, and development and implementation of earned and paid media campaigns.
• Engages a variety of community stakeholders to increase support for program initiatives by providing education and training.
• Uses community input to develop, improve, and evaluate program activities, services, and policy initiatives.
• Assesses community readiness for program/policy implementation.
• Assesses community partner readiness to meet program goals and drafts written agreements when needed.
• Develops, coordinates, and maintains relevant health and wellness program resources, including communication materials.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of programs and educational materials using a variety of evaluation tools.
• Responds promptly to community members seeking health promotion information and resources.
• Represents El Paso County Public Health as a member of councils and coalitions.
• Assists in budget development, expenditure monitoring, and informing program fiscal needs.
• Participates in the agency's emergency planning and response activities.
• Takes personal responsibility to provide exceptional customer service in order to promote and maintain a positive Public Health image, constructive working environment, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.
• Promotes overall public health within the community.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision

This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.

Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of and ability to independently research program subject matter.
• Knowledge and understanding of agency policies and procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to include presentations for large audiences.
• Ability to write and maintain clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
• Skill in using a computer and various software packages, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to communicate, motivate, and organize projects among a broad spectrum of people, frequently under deadline pressure.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, co-workers, federal, state, and local authorities, and other agencies.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to prioritize and organize multiple tasks and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to respond in a flexible manner and reprioritize work as situations change.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment and critical thinking.
• Ability to identify problems and work to resolve them.
• Ability to maintain the security of sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree with a major in health education, public health, public policy, or related field.
• Four years of related professional experience may substitute for the required degree.
• Policy & Prevention Specialist: Two years of professional-related experience.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Experience with health promotions outreach, coalitions, public health, youth development, adult learning principles, or meeting coordination and facilitation.
• Policy & Prevention Specialist: Master's degree in health education, public health, public policy, or related field.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post-offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Work Conditions

• Duties are conducted in an office and field environment.
• Work environment may include potential exposure to second-hand smoke and other environmental hazards.
• Local travel is required; work may be assigned in various locations.
• Will be required to work evenings and weekends as business needs dictate.
• Public Health employees are responsible for providing proof of vaccinations and/or tuberculosis testing as applicable to the specific position and must provide proof of completion of required vaccinations/testing or proof of initiation within sixty days of hire date.

Pay

Associate Policy & Prevention Specialist:

• Full Salary Range: $50,250.00 - $70,320.00 Annually
• Hiring Range: $56,801.00 - $60,801.00 Annually

Policy & Prevention Specialist:

• Salary Range: $55,370.00 - $80,410.00 Annually
• Hiring Range: $60,801.00 - $63,801.00 Annually

Schedule

This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm, subject to change. May be required to work some evenings and weekends as business needs dictate for community events and meetings. Telework eligibility may be considered upon successful completion of a 90-day introductory period.