Substance Use Disorder Specialist

Description The Weld County Department of Public Health is currently seeking a dynamic individual to join our team. This position provides population-based substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and health education coordination and outreach related to alcohol, opioids, marijuana, and other illegal drugs. Position collaborates with the health promotion team on using evidence-based SUD prevention strategies to promote health and well-being. This includes planning, developing, implementing, and facilitating community-based strategies to reduce SUD. Must be self-directed, have excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills, and have strong group facilitation skills. Must demonstrate ability to speak effectively and professionally to a variety of audiences. Position requires developed systems thinking, adult learning, and problem-solving skills, including a background in SUD prevention. Also, provides social media, communications, and other public health related support during emergencies. Normal work hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. However, work may be required outside of these days and/or hours. The ideal candidate for this position will: Be knowledgeable about substance use disorders, population-based health and upstream prevention. They will also have experience working with youth and be skilled in community engagement and public speaking. $66,004.07 - $83,611.99 annually plus benefits (see benefits on the posting). The position will normally start at $66,004.07 annually. As an applicant for this position, you should be aware of Senate Bill 19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The act requires employers to announce the pay range for job openings. This range encompasses the nine pay steps that Weld County Government has available should you earn the position and demonstrate satisfactory performance over time. This position is funded by Opioid Settlement funds. Please also include that a resume and cover letter are required. The cover letter should describe their interest in the position and why they want to work for Weld County. Essential Duties and Responsibilities To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Any one position may not include all the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class; other duties may be assigned. Self-directed and has excellent organizational and time management skills. Promotes and expands strategies for either adults or youth or both; and community engagement with a variety of population groups. Provides oversight of community board meetings and assist with problem solving. Collaborates with various partners and community groups to ensure the success of grant workplan deliverables; forms workgroups as needed to sustain activities and meet program goals. Selects and/or develops program components (goals, objectives, strategies, interventions, and activities related to SUD) in a structured format to address health education and public health objectives using evidence-based strategies. Conducts professional public speaking to various groups and audiences; identifies problems and develops solutions and takes a self-directed approach to solving the problems; develops and maintains an evaluation plan to ensure effectiveness of health education and public health problem solving; makes recommendations for future programming; completes program reports as required. Monitors budget expenditures for the program, issues purchase orders and requests for program supplies and expenses. Identifies and accesses funding for programs by assisting in the preparation of grant proposals. Performs as a member of the health promotion team to diagnose and track community health issues and helps to solve them through the selection and use of sound population-based strategies. Collaborates with other health agencies and organizations, community members, and key leaders to coordinate provision of health education and public health services through coalitions and partnerships that maximize resources and minimize duplication of services. Responds promptly to schools, community groups, elected officials, and members of the public, providing health promotion and health education information and resources. Complete assigned work and duties in a timely and professional manner. Efficiently use County resources and work to implement changes that increase efficiencies within the department. Understand and work to ensure that County, department and division mission statements, visions, goals are met. Use exceptional customer service skills to respond to community needs, enhance public relations, coordinate activities, and represent the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment in order to promote and maintain a positive public health image and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community. Maintain current licenses and certifications. Update program information and protocol by attending continuing education courses related to program responsibilities. Keep up-to-date technically and apply new knowledge to the job. Complete position-specific training for public health emergency response activities. Acquire and retain knowledge of policies, procedures, and various local, State and Federal regulations related to various Health Department programs. Have a strong working knowledge of computer programs used on a daily basis such as electronic health records, program specific software applications, Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Visio and OneDrive, database user interface and query software (client databases), and web browser software. Maintain sensitive and confidential records information. Follow the Weld County Code of Conduct and adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines, including HIPAA, and the appropriate non-disclosure and/or release of information. Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty with minimal supervision. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in health education, communication, or closely related field. A minimum of one-year of work-related experience or training in health education or public health is required. A combination of education and appropriate health education or public health experience may be considered. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for experience. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Have and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license and use of personal, insured vehicle is required to perform job duties. Dependable transportation and auto insurance, maintained at all times, as required by State law, is required. Candidate must pass a criminal background check. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods related to health education and SUD prevention, including evaluation methods, marketing, and media communications in a public health government setting. Knowledge of public health systems and systems thinking; and how systems thinking functions within public health and the broader community. Knowledge of problem solving and change management within public health. Knowledge about the application of policies, laws, and regulations pertaining to population-based SUD issues. Knowledge of adult learning principles and practices, addiction science, and evidence-based prevention for SUD. Skilled in applying diversity, inclusion, and health equity into outreach and programming efforts. Skilled in meeting facilitation and coalition building with diverse groups. Skilled in the principles and practices of grant/budget management and administration. Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County employees, representatives of other agencies, organizations, and the community. Skilled in using Microsoft Office tools, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and social media. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to read and analyze professional journals and government regulations. Ability to identify complex SUD problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Ability to work well in a team environment and with a diverse group of people; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, professionals, other departments, agencies, and the public; and bring others together to reconcile differences. Ability to write correspondence and reports to funding agencies, community leaders, health professionals, etc. Ability to speak effectively before professional and community groups. Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment with high-stress situations. Ability to determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. Ability to work directly with municipal governments, local schools, and community groups to implement evidence-based SUD prevention strategies. Ability to read and interpret published research about SUD and how to apply prevention strategies to a variety of populations. Other Necessary Requirements PHYSICAL 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 . click apply for full job details