Grants BH - Program Specialist - Native Connections (on-site)

Grants BH - Program Specialist - Native Connections (on-site) San Diego American Indian Health Center, 2630 First Avenue, San Diego, California, United States of America Job Description Posted Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM We are an FQHC community health center dedicated to embodying the values central to American Indian cultures. This includes respect for our patients, acknowledgement of the whole person, and a focus on working together to ensure health for the individual, and therefore the community. We invite persons of all tribes, ethnic backgrounds and walks of life to experience the comprehensive care we deliver and to contribute to the services we provide for children, youth, families, adults, and elders. Under the Native Connections grant program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Program Specialist will function as an integral member of the healthcare team at SDCHC. The Native Connections program aims to support our mission of fostering resilience and reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental health issues on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth. The Program Specialist will be tasked with establishing and integrating a dedicated behavioral health program targeting prevention and early intervention services while decreasing suicidal behaviors and substance use among AI/AN youth. The Program Specialist will work closely with the Behavioral Health Department, the Community Outreach Coordinator, the Data Analytics Specialist, and the Grants Team. The Program Specialist will be responsible for the implementation of the SAMHSA Native Connections grant, while meeting all established grant deadlines, working collaboratively across departments, and engaging directly with AI/AN youth, the larger community, and other local community agencies. The Program Specialist will develop a Community Needs Assessment, Community Readiness Assessment, and Tribal Strategic Action Plan. The Program Specialist will prepare and submit all required reporting for the Native Connections grant program, including annual programmatic progress reports, annual goals data, and annual federal financial reports. The Program Specialist will provide leadership for the Native Connections team and oversee all grant-related activities. The Program Specialist will establish and maintain effective working relationships with medical staff, organizational leaders, and other departments and foster a collaborative environment with department leadership and staff to achieve program goals.The Program Specialist will participate in work groups or committees as required for the success of the Native Connections program. Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to perform all job-related activities as outlined below. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Primary Functions: Provide daily oversight of Native Connections grant activities. Oversee the implementation of program activities, internal and external coordination, development of materials, and facilitation of meetings. Lead and assist the program team in the completion of a Community Needs Assessment, Community Readiness Assessment, and Tribal Strategic Action Plan, ensuring all grant requirements are met. Guide the curriculum selection for community education with an effort to increase participation in and access to treatment for the AI/AN youth. Provide leadership for daily operations including, but not limited to, training and development, providing budgetary information, providing data and research, attending/convening/facilitating partner meetings, and monitoring of deliverables. Develop project activities, including securing locations, assigning staff, ensuring materials are available, etc. Plan and facilitate all Interagency Advisory Board and Youth Advisory Board meetings, ensuring the alignment with the grant. Monitor all grant contracts/agreements. Plan and organize annual Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) events. Coordinate/provide training to community and behavioral health professionals. Work collaboratively with SAMHSA staff, other SDCHC staff, and community partners to build meaningful collaborations that help address substance abuse and mental health treatment, prevention, and recovery services. Document and track data that demonstrates efforts to meet grant deliverables. Responsible for program implementation and evaluation oversight, including designing needs assessment strategies and instruments; and providing leadership for the Native Connections team. Analyze data and adjust efforts as needed to ensure grant deliverables are being met. Provide educational presentations to community groups, SDCHC staff, and funding agencies as needed. Work collaboratively with SDCHC Grant writers and Data team to ensure monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports are completed and turned in on time. Attend Native Connections grantee meetings. Other duties as assigned Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications: Proven track records of organization, collaboration, and outreach skills. Minimum 3-year experience working in grant-funded programing. Preferred: Experience serving a multicultural population. FQHC and/or public health background. Familiarity with Community Health Clinics and/or Indian Health Clinics Experience working in the substance abuse prevention and mental health fields. Special Conditions of Employment: Has a clean driving record and insurance as required by the state. Has reliable transportation. CPR/ BLS certification: Maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross, or an equivalent organization. Certification must include an in-person, hands-on skills assessment. Annual background checks: Consent to annual background checks as a condition of continued employment, to ensure compliance with organizational standards and eligibility requirements. For-Cause Drug Screening: Comply with drug screening requirements when initiated by the organization for cause, to support a safe, compliant, and drug-free workplace. Ongoing Compliance Requirements: Maintain up-to-date compliance with all required annual renewals, including professional licenses, certifications, physical examinations, TB testing, and mandatory regulatory trainings as assigned by the San Diego Community Health Center (SDCHC). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of the design and administration of grant funded programs. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Analytical, organizational, and leadership skills for staff supervision and direction. Ability to maintain confidentiality and meticulous records. Effective interpersonal skills. Able to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all staff and stakeholders. Ability to work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Able to perform basic mathematical calculations necessary to perform the job function. Must be reliable and extremely trustworthy. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Suite or related programs. Experience coaching and educating staff and peers. Physical and Mental Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodation. Able to lift/move up to 15 pounds, move from place to place. Able to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods. Able to stand, bend and reach for prolonged periods. Ability to do math, organize and prioritize workload, work effectively and efficiently under stress. Ability to supervise, multitask, understand, and follow instructions. Ability to proficiently read, write, speak, and understand English. Customer Service: Actively supports, promotes, and works to fulfill the Mission, Vision, and core values of SDCHC. Provides excellent internal and external customer service. Demonstrates SDCHC’s Standards of Customer Service Behavior: Compassion, Attitude, Communication, Appearance, Sense of Ownership, and Teamwork. Participates in on-going customer service training. In every action, seeks to promote SDCHC as a top service organization. Quality Management: Contribute to the success of the organization by participating in quality improvement activities. Complies with all SDCHC policies and procedures and proactively participates in the implementation of new initiatives. Participate and ensures continuous quality improvement process as directed by clinic leadership. Safety: Ensures regulatory compliance and adherence with policies and procedures related to safe work practices. Participate in infection prevention through appropriate use of infection control measures during patient treatment and patient interactions. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for maintaining physical spaces, equipment, and supplies. Uses all appropriate equipment and/or tools to ensure workplace safety. Immediately reports unsafe working conditions. Privacy/Compliance: Maintains privacy and security of all patients, employee, and volunteer information and access to such information. Such information is accessed on a need-to-know basis for business purposes only. Complies with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations. Reports on unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful behavior or activity. Upholds strict ethical standards. Flexibility: Available for all shifts and, when required, able to work evenings and weekends Disclaimer Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time. Preference is given to qualified American Indian/Alaskan Natives in accordance with the American Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 472, 473 and 473a). In other than the above, the San Diego Community Health Center, is an equal opportunity employer. Acknowledgement San Diego Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or any other protected class, political affiliation or belief. Preference is given to qualified American Indian/Alaskan Natives in accordance with the American Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 472, 473 and 473a). In other than the above, the San Diego American Indian Health Center, is an equal opportunity employer. San Diego American Indian Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or any other protected class, political affiliation, or belief. San Diego American Indian Health Center, 2630 First Avenue, San Diego, California, United States of America #J-18808-Ljbffr SDAIHC