Primary Prevention Specialist

St Mary's Center•Emeryville, CA

About The Position

The Primary Prevention Specialist coordinates and implements prevention, wellness, and injury prevention programming for older adults. The role provides education, outreach, group facilitation, wellness coaching, referral support, and community engagement activities designed to reduce substance misuse, falls, social isolation, and preventable health risks among seniors. The position is part of St. Mary’s Center’s Community Outreach & Services (COS) Department, which helps seniors remain safely housed and socially connected while reducing isolation, improving wellness, and promoting access to community-based supports. Programming includes congregate meals, wellness activities, fall prevention, computer education, health navigation, case management support, behavioral health education, and Friendly Visiting services. The specialist facilitates prevention curricula and workshops; applies harm reduction principles; conducts outreach and builds community partnerships; provides referrals and service linkages; and supports Medi-Cal outreach, education, documentation, and reporting. The role also contributes to program operations, including congregate meals, cultural programming, emergency preparedness, participant feedback, and program evaluation. The position is full-time, non-exempt, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and pays $33.00 per hour. It reports to the Community Services Supervisor.

Requirements

Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Two or more years of facilitation experience.
California Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Gerontology, Health Education, or a related field preferred.
At least two years of experience working with older adults, vulnerable populations, prevention programming, behavioral health, or community-based services preferred.
Understanding of harm reduction principles, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive engagement preferred.
Bilingual English/Cantonese, English/Mandarin, Spanish, or Tagalog is a plus.

Responsibilities

Facilitate prevention and wellness curricula, including Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE), Ash Kickers Smoking Cessation, WeConnect technology literacy programming, and Harm Reduction for Seniors classes.
Conduct workshops on healthy aging, substance misuse prevention, medication safety, overdose awareness, fall prevention, stress management, and chronic disease self-management.
Facilitate culturally responsive wellness discussions, storytelling groups, and peer support activities.
Assist participants in accessing virtual wellness and telehealth opportunities.
Apply harm reduction principles in a respectful, non-judgmental, and person-centered manner.
Use evidence-based programming to educate older adults on safer substance use, medication interactions, overdose prevention, mobility safety, hydration, nutrition, and injury prevention.
Support participants in identifying personal wellness goals and reducing behaviors that increase health and safety risks.
Conduct outreach to older adults throughout Alameda County.
Build and maintain partnerships with senior centers, housing programs, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, Meals on Wheels, social workers, and community-based organizations.
Participate in health fairs, wellness events, presentations, and outreach activities.
Provide referrals and linkages to healthcare, behavioral health, nutrition, and social services.
Conduct Medi-Cal outreach and education activities.
Assist participants in accessing medically necessary services.
Coordinate communication between providers, social services, and caregivers.
Maintain accurate documentation and reporting aligned with county and state requirements for eligible MAA/CMAA activities.
Participate in data collection and service tracking activities supporting reimbursement and reporting.
Promote COS programs through outreach events, presentations, and community engagement activities.
Assist with congregate meal services, workshops, and cultural programming.
Participate in emergency preparedness and emergency response activities.
Collect participant feedback and support program evaluation efforts.
Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment; support the organization’s mission and values; maintain professionalism and confidentiality; and follow agency policies and procedures.