Substance Use Prevention Specialist

Position Purpose

The Substance Use Prevention Specialist performs a variety of substance abuse prevention in elementary, middle, and/or high schools. Assists in developing, implementing, and facilitating quality substance abuse prevention programs for students. Collaborates with school personnel, other support staff, parents, students, and various community agencies to deliver effective substance use prevention education and tobacco cessation services to students and staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of substance use prevention and intervention programs
• Considerable knowledge of program evaluation to support continuous improvement
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Apps
• Effective skills in creating and managing effective presentations, including the capability to use relevant technology
• Effective crisis response skills
• Effective strategic planning skills and experience supporting system-level improvement
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Strategic problem-solving skills
• Able to facilitate effective meetings
• Able to support a collaborative working environment
• Able to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, students, parents, community groups, vendors, external agencies, and the public

Education, Training, and Experience

• Comprehensive knowledge of substance use prevention and intervention programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of current local, state, national, and global trends in substance use prevention and intervention
• Considerable knowledge of program evaluation to support continuous improvement
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Apps
• Effective skills in creating and managing effective presentations, including the capability to use relevant technology
• Effective crisis response skills
• Effective strategic planning skills and experience supporting system-level improvement
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Strategic problem-solving skills
• Able to facilitate effective meetings
• Able to support a collaborative working environment
• Able to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, students, parents, community groups, vendors, external agencies, and the public

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, education, or a related field

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists elementary, middle, and/or high school administrators, school support staff, and other school personnel in developing, implementing, and evaluating substance abuse prevention services
• Collaborates with schools and departments to discuss issues related to substance abuse prevention services in the schools
• Provides consultation to school personnel on identification and intervention strategies for students identified as having substance abuse problems
• Provides services to high-risk students in the alternative and other special schools on an as needed basis
• Provides substance abuse prevention education classes in the schools
• Provides tobacco cessation services to students and staff, as needed
• Intervenes with students and families to coordinate substance abuse services, as needed
• Consults with community agencies in providing outside services to schools
• Maintains records and provides reports of services rendered
• Provides substance abuse prevention workshops for schools, parents, and the community
• Reviews various publications and attends workshops, seminars, etc. to continuously upgrade professional knowledge
• Performs other related duties, as assigned

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

• This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers.
• The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, students, parents, external agencies, and the community.
• Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force.
• The work requires driving automotive equipment.

EFFECTIVE DATE

9/2025

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.