Substance Abuse Education and Prevention Assistant

Purpose of Class

Affords support to the Substance Abuse Education and Prevention Coordinator in the implementation of the Substance Abuse Education Program for juvenile offenders and their parents/guardians; performs related work as needed.

Primary Function

The primary responsibility of an individual in this position is to provide support to the Substance Abuse Education and Prevention Coordinator. This includes facilitating the substance abuse education program, specifically Families in Action for Teens and Parents. Coordination of the program with various stakeholders such as school districts, law enforcement agencies, juvenile probation officers, and others is also part of the role. Scheduling substance abuse education classes and communicating with relevant parties is another key duty. Additionally, representing the Substance Abuse Education program to the public and community groups is essential.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides assistance to the Substance Abuse Education and Prevention Coordinator.
• Facilitates the substance abuse education program, including Families in Action for Teens and Parents.
• Coordinates the program with school districts, law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys, juvenile probation officers, diversion officers, juvenile courts, and other affected parties.
• Schedules substance abuse education classes and notifies all affected parties.
• Represents the Department in facilitating groups and reporting completion information to affected parties.
• Represents the Substance Abuse Education program to the public and community groups.
• Performs all work duties and activities in compliance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Performs other related duties as required.

Competency Requirements

• Knowledge of:
• Behavior modification procedures, techniques, methodology, and objectives as applied to at-risk juvenile offenders.
• Federal, Idaho, and County statutes, laws, codes, and regulations governing juvenile arrest, detention, probation/parole.
• Court practices and procedures; Departmental programs, policies, procedures, and operations as applied to the work performed.
• Operation of standard office equipment, including a personal computer.
• Operation of a motor vehicle.
• Ability to:
• Facilitate groups of 10-16 youth and/or parents/families.
• Assist in the coordination of the operations of a Substance Abuse Education Program.
• Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful, volatile, and hostile situations.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with assigned offenders, supervisors, other County employees, school administrators, the public, and other County and State agencies.
• Understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, codes, regulations, and established procedures.
• Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer and applications appropriate to assigned duties.
• Operate a motor vehicle.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Perform time management and scheduling functions, meet deadlines, and set project priorities.
• Maintain offender and Department confidentiality.
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• A high school diploma or GED equivalency is required.
• A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, behavioral or social sciences, or a related field is preferred.
• One to two years of experience in probation monitoring, social service, or court-related behavioral services with at-risk youth and families is preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications

• Completion or the ability to become a Certified Prevention Specialist (see more at ibadcc.org/cps).
• Current Criminal History Check conducted by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Criminal History Unit.
• An Idaho driver's license is required.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review and prepare a variety of written and text materials.
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform the duties of the position.