Prevention & Wellness Specialist
The Prevention & Wellness Specialist plays a dominant role as the interface between community stakeholders and BRBH. Coalitions are vital to prevention services and BRBH. The Roanoke Prevention Alliance coalition leader establishes and maintains working relationships with significant community leaders. (i.e. Legislators, City Council, Chief of Police, State Police, Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) Superintendent, RCPS Administration, Medical Leaders, Business Leaders, Faith Community, State Advisory Boards, etc.).
This position provides leadership to the Roanoke Prevention Alliance (RPA) and the Resiliency Collective (RC), to assess community needs, develop strategic plans, guide the implementation of action plans, reduce gaps in prevention services and evaluate the success of community prevention efforts at the community level. This position is Full Time and is funded by a Drug Free Communities grant.
Additional responsibilities include:
- Increasing prevention resources in Roanoke City through identifying potential grants, on behalf of RPA and the Resiliency Collective, by supporting the application process and by providing guidance for RPA fund raising.
- Promoting community recognition and engagement in RPA and the RC's missions.
- Providing consultation and insight to community members and identified stakeholders to gain buy-in for substance abuse prevention strategies.
- Conduct PowerPoint presentations/trainings with RPA and RC members, as well as, targeted community audiences to develop community champions that promote the prevention messages and strategies in their daily lives.
- Formulating, affecting, interpreting, and implementing management policies or operating practices of the coalition; providing leadership and guidance to the RPA board and the Resiliency Collective membership; and engaging RPA and RC members to assist with carrying out major assignments/projects as required by grant funding.
- Assessing, planning, coordinating, implementing, documenting and evaluating substance abuse prevention strategies that impact community level change to reduce substance abuse.
- Coordinate with and provide prevention expertise to stakeholders in order to promote environmental prevention strategies and other activities that change community norms, modify or change public or organizational policies and engage in legislative advocacy to facilitate city-wide reductions in youth and young adult Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) use and promote healthy youth development.
- Write reports, articles and position papers; complete all grant and BRBH required documentation by deadlines.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in human services field
- Must have minimum of six years' experience in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention/education, community organizing, public health, marketing or related field including knowledge of the effects of substance abuse on children and youth, prevention theory, evidence-based prevention strategies including environmental strategies and program evaluation.
- Experience facilitating and leading teams and committees including strategic planning.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Diplomacy in working with all community and professional stakeholders.
- Must have experience in public speaking.
- Knowledge of counseling concepts, experience in leadership skills and a clear understanding of professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Exceptional organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, multiple deadlines and scheduling conflicts, with attention to detail.
- Ability to work autonomously based on broad directions and objectives and make decisions without first consulting with a supervisor that are best for the agency, community and prevention and wellness services.
- Computer experience working in the Microsoft environment including Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel, Windows, Outlook, and Internet Explorer. Website maintenance and social media experience.
- Must have a good driving record (no more than two moving violations in the last three years and no criminal violations in the last five years).
Why work at BRBH?
- Make a difference: The services we provide make a difference every day in the community.
- Great co-workers: Our staff work hard and support each other in a team atmosphere.
- Work-Life Balance: We have a great Paid Time Off policy - 29 days annually, which starts accruing on your first day.
- We offer great benefits, including VRS (Virginia Retirement System)! Click here for more information: http://www.brbh.org/benefits/
- Want to know more? Check out our employment page to see employee reviews and more information about BRBH: http://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Blue-Ridge-Behavioral-Healthcare-EI_IE464369.11,43.htm
Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH) is one of forty Community Services Boards established under the Code of Virginia to provide comprehensive services for individuals who have mental health disorders, developmental disability, or substance use disorders. We are charged also with continuously monitoring and evaluating our services to ensure their cost effectiveness and applicability to current citizen needs. BRBH operates multiple programs throughout the Roanoke Valley with over 400 employees working to provide or support our services. We are proud to have served our community for 50 years. This position is located in Roanoke, VA.