Prevention Educator – Part Time

Penobscot Bay YMCA • Rockport, ME

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a part-time position (approximately 22-25 hours per week) based in Rockport, with frequent travel throughout Waldo County and occasional travel throughout Knox County and statewide. The role is grant-funded for the period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with a start date of August 1, 2026. The hourly pay is $27.00. This position supports youth substance use prevention, school-community partnerships, health promotion, and harm reduction initiatives in Midcoast Maine.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Community Health Education, Education, Human Services, Social Work, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience working with youth, in schools, or leading community outreach may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Prior experience teaching, mentoring, or facilitating groups for youth/adolescents in school, camp, or community settings is highly valued.
• Provisional Prevention Specialist (PPS) certification, or the ability to obtain it upon hire.
• Ability to obtain Maine Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) certification within 18 months of employment (all certification costs are fully covered by PBCHP).
• Familiarity with youth development, substance use prevention, health communication, social-emotional learning, or harm reduction principles.
• Outstanding classroom management, public presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build quick rapport with both youth and adults.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Zoom, and basic data entry tools.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for regular travel between local schools and Waldo County community sites.
• Ability to connect authentically with young people from diverse backgrounds with empathy, respect, and zero judgment.
• Strong active listening skills and the ability to navigate sensitive health discussions with students and families appropriately.
• Proven ability to build trust and maintain positive working relationships with school staff, community leaders, and coalition members.
• Strong facilitation skills—able to keep classrooms and youth groups engaged, active, and focused.
• Solid organizational and time-management skills to balance multiple school schedules, community events, and grant tracking deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Deliver interactive, age-appropriate, evidence-informed substance use prevention curricula and health education directly to students in K-12 schools, youth organizations, and afterschool programs.
• Collaborate closely with school administrators, counselors, teachers, and student support teams to integrate prevention programming, support positive school climate, and strengthen protective factors for local youth.
• Facilitate youth-driven prevention activities, student leadership opportunities, and peer education campaigns that empower young people to make healthy choices.
• Deliver evidence-informed prevention strategies aligned with Maine Prevention Network (MPN) priorities and approved grant work plans.
• Provide harm reduction education, overdose prevention training, and community outreach in Waldo County under United Way funding.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with healthcare providers, recovery organizations, municipalities, law enforcement, and local coalitions.
• Maintain accurate records of classroom presentations, youth attendance, community outreach, and reporting requirements to support program evaluation and compliance.
• Plan, adapt, and deliver evidence-informed prevention programs, classroom presentations, and skill-building workshops for youth in schools and youth-serving agencies.
• Establish reliable, professional relationships with local school districts, guidance offices, and administration to schedule and coordinate recurring prevention education sessions.
• Support youth engagement initiatives, empowering students to lead substance-free awareness activities, peer messaging, and community projects.
• Implement evidence-informed, culturally responsive prevention and harm reduction strategies in accordance with approved MPN and United Way grant work plans.
• Provide community harm reduction education, medication safety initiatives, overdose prevention awareness, and resource navigation support across Waldo County.
• Represent PBCHP at community events, health fairs, school open houses, and coalition meetings.
• Maintain accurate records of student reach, classroom sessions, community meetings, and outreach activities.
• Assist with educational materials, youth-focused messaging, and social media outreach under the direction of the Director of Community Health Promotion.
• Complete required state and federal grant tracking on time and stay current on youth prevention science, environmental strategies, and health communication best practices.

Benefits

• Earned Paid Leave
• Day 1 eligibility for a 403(b) retirement plan
• Free individual YMCA membership
• Paid training, professional development, and full financial/mentor support to obtain your Prevention Specialist credentials.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree