PROGRAM SPECIALIST

The Program Specialist will be responsible for implementing alcohol awareness and substance use prevention programs in local schools and communities. This includes delivering engaging presentations to diverse audiences of teens, facilitating educational contacts with licensed liquor establishments, and representing the organization at community events. The ideal candidate will have strong public speaking skills and a passion for promoting healthy choices among youth. This role is a highly field based position which requires frequent travel throughout the State with occasional overnight stays. This is a grant funded position, contingent upon continued funding from the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG). This position requires travel throughout the State of Arizona and occasional evening/weekend work.

• Deliver Educational Presentations: Educate staff on preventing underage drinking, ensuring patron safety, and addressing over service concerns. Deliver presentations to teens in schools and other community settings on the dangers of underage drinking and substance use.
• Implement Environmental Prevention Strategy: Execute a proactive community outreach effort to influence policies and practices at a local level.
• Conduct Public Awareness Events: Work at community events to speak on responsible alcohol service and promote public awareness about substance use prevention.

Knowledge of:

• Public Health and Prevention Science: Core principles of public health, including the socio ecological model, and different prevention strategies, such as universal, selective, and indicated prevention;
• Substance Use Disorders: Biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to alcohol misuse and addiction is crucial;
• Short and long term effects of alcohol on the body and mind.

Skills in:

• Communication and Public Speaking: Present complex information clearly and engagingly to diverse audiences, from students to parents and professionals, is vital; and adapt message to different groups;
• Community Collaboration: Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including schools, law enforcement, local health departments, and community organizations'
• Data Analysis: Collect data to inform their programs and demonstrate their impact.

Abilities to:

• Cultural Competence: Work respectfully and effectively with individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds. This includes understanding and addressing cultural factors that influence alcohol use; 
• Problem Solve: Identify community needs and barriers to prevention and develop creative, evidence based solution;
• Deliver presentations to diverse groups and network to identify new schools, law enforcement agencies, or community groups for future presentations.

• Bachelors, Prior experience in prevention, social services, or teaching.

• Must Possess an Arizona Drivers License.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rose Ibe at rose.ibe@azdoa.gov for assistance.