Youth Specialist

Tucson Indian Center•Tucson, AZ

1d•$18 - $24

About The Position

Embraces and Embodies the Tucson Indian Center’s (TIC) Identity Document’s Mission, Purpose and Vision Statements; Core Values, Guiding Principles, and Strategic Goals. This position is responsible for coordinating the planning, implementation, completion, and evaluation of the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), and Native Youth Evidence-Based Curriculum, including its goals, objectives, and activities. The purpose of the program is to promote early intervention strategies and implement positive youth development programming to reduce risk factors for suicidal behavior and substance abuse. The Youth Specialist will apply evidence-based and practice-based approaches to build resiliency, encourage positive development, and support self-sufficiency among Native youth. Additional responsibilities include promoting family engagement in suicide prevention efforts for youth and young adults within the Tucson urban Indian community, recognizing that strong connections to family and community are key protective factors. This role also involves increasing access to culturally appropriate prevention activities that reduce methamphetamine use and other substance use disorders contributing to suicidal behaviors.

Requirements

Knowledge of the protective factors and risk factors for suicide and substance use disorders among the Tucson urban Indian community.
Ability to coordinate a grant program and comply with reporting requirements.
Ability and skills to recruit, engage, and retain youth and other community members in multiple health and suicide prevention activities.
Skills facilitating American Indian health promotion interventions.
Knowledge regarding program evaluation and data collection.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Bachelor’s Degree in health, human services or business fields, such as public health, social work, education, or business: OR
Associate's Degree in the health, human services or business fields, or certificate of health professional training such as a Nurse’s Aide, Patient Care Technician or Community Health Representative, and a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the health, human services or business fields; OR
High School Diploma or equivalent with six (6) years of work experience in health, human services or business fields.
Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License.
Must pass Driver Insurance Carrier’s requirements.
Must obtain a HIPAA certification within 2 weeks of hire.
Must obtain certifications in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid within 3 months of hire.
Must pass Arizona DPS Fingerprint Clearance (Class I & II).
Must pass and submit to periodic/random drug testing.

Responsibilities

Program Coordination: Leads the coordination and execution of a Native Youth Evidence-Based Curriculum by overseeing all phases of program planning, implementation, completion, and evaluation. Collaborates with key contributors to ensure the successful delivery of program objectives and outcomes in alignment with grant requirements and cultural relevance.
Recruitment: Recruit youth and other participants for multiple evidence-based suicide prevention interventions.
Youth activities & events: Complete multiple youth suicide prevention activities, such as afterschool/summer school programs, youth camp/youth conference, family/community events and other activities.
Family engagement: Promote family engagement through family and community engagement activities that utilize early intervention strategies to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors for suicidal behavior and substance abuse.
Partnerships: Maintain effective and collaborative relationships with multiple school programs, local neighborhood organizations, Indian Health Services, local Tribes, and others.
Suicide Intervention trainings: Train urban Indian youth, family members, and TIC staff in suicide prevention skills using evidence-based curriculum such as the “Question, Persuade, Refer” (QPR) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). Have program participants complete required pre- and post-tests for deliverables.
Methamphetamine & substance abuse trainings: Train urban Indian youth, family members, and TIC staff in methamphetamine and substance abuse knowledge and skills.
Reports: Prepare and submit monthly reports on all program activities, measuring completion of all program deliverables.
Newsletter: Participates in writing and editing monthly articles for Native Wellness Voice Newsletter.
Social networking: Submits content for the TIC social networking sites such as TIC Facebook pages and website.
Performs other duties as assigned or requested.