Prevention Educator

Penobscot Bay YMCA•Rockport, ME

About The Position

Join Our Team and Help Build Healthier, Safer Communities Do you enjoy connecting with people, starting meaningful conversations, and empowering others with knowledge that helps them make healthier choices? The Community Health Partnerships branch of the Penobscot Bay YMCA (PBCHP), is seeking a part-time Prevention Educator to support substance use prevention efforts across Knox and Waldo counties. In this role, you will work directly with schools, organizations, and community partners to deliver engaging education, strengthen local relationships, and help create environments that support healthier, substance-free communities. This is a community-facing, relationship-driven role for someone who values prevention, education, and collaboration—and wants their work to make a visible, local impact.

Requirements

A community-minded educator, advocate, or outreach professional who enjoys working with diverse groups
Strong communication skills and comfort presenting to groups of varying sizes
Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with a small, mission-driven team
Interest in prevention science, health education, and community-level change
Comfort navigating sensitive topics with empathy, professionalism, and sound judgment
Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Community Health Education, Education, Behavioral Health, Social Work, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis
Provisional Prevention Specialist (PPS) Certification required (may be obtained upon employment)
Ability to complete requirements for Maine Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) certification within 18 months (cost covered by PBCHP)
Functional competency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Zoom (or willingness to learn)
Strong organizational, time management, and facilitation skills
Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Community Health Education, Education, Behavioral Health or Social Work preferred. Directly related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
Hold Provisional Prevention Specialist (PPS) Certification, or obtain upon employment.
Within 18 months of employment, must complete educational and experience requirements to obtain the Maine Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) Certification. The CPS cost is currently covered by PBCHP.
Demonstrated understanding of health communication, policy work, social determinants of health, environmental strategies, and leveraging local partnerships to drive sustainable, positive change.
Strong oral and written communication skills appropriate for professional interactions.
Functional competency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Zoom - or willingness to learn.
Planning, coordination, and management of projects with effective organizational skills.
Facilitating and managing group processes.
Self-directed mentality to work independently within the scope of a project.
Strong time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks under competing deadlines.
Cultivation and care of relationships with key stakeholders.
Sound judgment and problem-solving skills to handle safety concerns and unexpected incidents.
Self-awareness, active listening, and other skills necessary for effective teamwork.

Responsibilities

Deliver engaging, age-appropriate substance use prevention education to schools, organizations, and community groups
Build trusted relationships with educators, recovery organizations, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and other local partners
Promote free prevention resources and encourage community participation
Support local policy, environmental, and harm-reduction strategies that reduce substance misuse
Participate in community partnership meetings and collaborative initiatives
Contribute to outreach and education efforts through social media and marketing support
Track activities, outcomes, and required reporting in alignment with grant requirements
Implement culturally appropriate substance use prevention strategies in the approved work plan by working closely with the Director of Community Health Promotion, the state public health district, and local partners.
Create and present engaging public educational offerings on substance-use prevention topics to schools, organizations, and community members.
Effectively promote the free resources made available by PBCHP to encourage participation.
Build relationships with other community sectors in Knox and Waldo Counties, including but not limited to schools, law enforcement, recovery organizations, healthcare/behavioral health providers, alcohol and cannabis retailers.
Contribute to PBCHP social media and marketing under the guidance of the Director of Community Health Promotion.
Recruit local stakeholders in PBCHP Community Partnership Meetings and build mutually beneficial relationships to aid our mission to support healthier living in Maine.
Collaborate with related state and/or federal agencies to ensure project requirements are successfully attained, including timely completion of reporting and record-keeping requirements.
Maintain ongoing understanding of health communication, policy work, social determinants of health, environmental strategies, and leveraging local partnerships to drive sustainable, positive change.
Perform other duties as assigned.