Project Coordinator/Prevention Facilitator

Position Summary:The Project Coordinator/Prevention Facilitator is responsible for coordinating and implementing all activities associated with the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Coalition. This position provides leadership for coalition development, youth engagement, prevention programming, community outreach, data collection, evaluation activities, public awareness campaigns, and stakeholder collaboration. The Project Coordinator serves as the primary facilitator of prevention initiatives designed to reduce youth alcohol and cannabis use while increasing protective factors among youth and families.This position collaborates with schools, community organizations, youth leaders, coalition members, and evaluation staff to implement evidence-based prevention strategies consistent with the Drug-Free Communities Support Program.Essential Job Functions:Coordinate monthly coalition meetings and committee meetings.Recruit and retain coalition members representing the twelve required DFC sectors.Maintain coalition membership records and participation documentation.Conduct onboarding and orientation for new coalition members.Assist in the development and implementation of coalition strategic plans and action plans.Facilitate communication among coalition partners and community stakeholders.Recruit and support Youth Advisory Council members.Facilitate Youth Advisory Council meetings.Engage youth in prevention messaging, campaign development, and community activities.Support youth-led prevention and advocacy initiatives.Coordinate and facilitate community prevention activities, including but not limited to: Red Ribbon Week, Youth Summits, Sticker Shock Campaigns, health fairs, parent education events, community outreach events, Safe Festival initiatives.Coordinate guest speakers and community presentations.Develop prevention messaging focused on youth alcohol and cannabis prevention.Develop and distribute prevention-focused social media content.Support production of public service announcements and prevention awareness campaigns.Assist with media outreach and community awareness activities.Promote coalition initiatives through digital and community communication platforms.Administer youth surveys and prevention outcome assessments.Assist in collecting and maintaining program performance data.Collaborate with the program evaluator in data collection and reporting activities.Maintain required logs, attendance records, and outcome data.Assist in the preparation of quarterly, annual, and grant-required reports.Support continuous quality improvement efforts.Develop and disseminate prevention resource guides.Provide referrals to prevention, treatment, behavioral health, and community support services.Maintain current knowledge of local prevention and treatment resources.Ensure compliance with CDC Drug-Free Communities grant requirements.Maintain documentation necessary for grant monitoring and reporting.Assist program leadership in completing required federal reports and continuation applications.Participate in required DFC and National Coalition Institute training.Ensure that a comprehensive education program is offered to all youth clients, including the use of appropriate up-to-date curriculum, videos, assignments, and guest speakers.Improve the health, welfare, and well-being of at-risk youth by providing a daily schedule of educational and therapeutic activities. This includes early education of misuse/use/abuse of substances, physical and psychological effects, health-related concerns, and appropriate use of leisure time skills.Advocate for informed choices by providing resources and referrals for continued care.Provide community education on the Youth Services continuum of service delivery options.Document in case files all attendance in groups and pertinent data collected relevant to treatment goals.Report all concerns to the program manager for any follow-up that may be needed.Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation.Other relevant duties as assigned.Essential Qualifications:Certifications/Licenses:NoneEducation:Bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, psychology, behavioral health, prevention, education, human services, or related field or equivalent is requiredExperience and Competencies:Minimum one year of experience in human services is requiredExperience facilitating groups, trainings, or community education activitiesStrong written and verbal communication skillsExperience using Microsoft Office applicationsAbility to coordinate multiple projects and community partnershipsMust be able to work in a culturally responsive setting and have knowledge of urban communitiesBilingual is preferredMust be highly organized, detail-focused, and have excellent time managementMust possess strong computer skills or have the ability to learnAbility to respond as needed to crisis situations in an efficient mannerExcellent communication and interpersonal skillsAbility to pass a background checkAbility to obtain and maintain DCFS CANTS clearanceAbility to obtain and maintain OIG LEIE clearanceAbility to pass pre-employment drug screeningAbility to exercise good judgment and discretionAbility to work well in a team environmentAdherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentialityMust have professional appearance demeanorAbility to obtain and maintain CPR certification, first aid certification, and an annual tuberculosis testWorking Conditions:Work is primarily performed in the community.Some outdoor activities may be required.Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the JobThe employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with orwithout accommodation:Physical Demands:Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved verbal de-escalation techniques.Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at a distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids, or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.Mental Demands:Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public, and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques. #J-18808-Ljbffr Westcare-Illinois-Inc