Wellness Specialist

The Wellness Specialist supports projects and ongoing initiatives to assess and develop plans based on community needs. This position provides evidence-based best practices that build capacity and increase advocacy by promoting behavioral health awareness. In addition, this position creates and sustains systems that empower communities throughout the service area by utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Maximum of Eight) Utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework to implement evidence-based programs, practices, and strategies to address behavioral health needs. Address behavioral health disparities to achieve population-level change by collaborating with stakeholders. Implement community-based and environmental strategies to influence community conditions, standards, institutions, systems, and policies. Assist in developing a service area strategic plan that is comprehensive, logical, and data-driven to address the problems identified in the assessment and capacity-building process. Assist with developing capacity within the community by recruiting, training, and fostering specialized facilitators for prevention programs, conducting evaluations to document program implementation, fidelity, and effectiveness, and making recommendations for modifications if appropriate. Mobilize and collaborate with youth, parents, community leaders, and other community agencies to create awareness and implement strategies to increase protective factors and decrease risk factors. Facilitate meetings with community members and partners to sustain outcomes. Serve on local coalitions, councils, task forces, and committees to foster relationships in the community. Collaborate with relevant federal, state, and local partners to develop referral resources and increase participation in behavioral health initiatives. Assist in grant administration, documentation, and scheduling of programs. Maintain files, records, and electronic databases per state and federal guidelines. Receive at least 20 hours of prevention-specific training each fiscal year for workforce development. OTHER DUTIES (If Applicable) Travel to other Agency sites, etc. Communicate problems to supervisors when necessary. Maintain confidentiality of callers and agency. Work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the population not to exclude weekend or after hours. Perform such other duties as assigned by supervisor. Knowledge of Prevention Strategies and Concepts. Knowledge of conducting needs assessments and evaluation. Cultural competency which includes knowledge of social and psychological factors that affect individuals, families, and communities. Skill in working effectively with people of all age ranges, socioeconomic status, and cognitive abilities. Ability to function and contribute as a member of a team. Obtain certification in Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, ACEs, QPR, and other suicide or trauma-related programs within 6 months of employment. Knowledge of Agency resources. EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Public Health or related field, or equivalent job-related experience, knowledge, and skills required. Mount Rogers Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer U. S. Patents 7,080,057; 7,310,626; 7,558,767; 7,562,059; 7,472,097; 7,606,778; 8,086,558 and 8,046,251. #J-18808-Ljbffr