DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION SPECIALIST L0681

DEFINITION: This is journey person work in drug and alcohol prevention involving educational and advisory activities.

An employee in this class is responsible for carrying out a variety of activities involving the school and/or community as part of an overall comprehensive prevention program. Work involves providing technical assistance and training relating to drug and alcohol abuse to school staff in terms of curriculum and policy matters; developing and maintaining contacts with and providing advice to community groups, and developing and disseminating educational material for use by the general public. The work of this class is characterized by substantial program involvement in one or more of the above areas in order to educate and advise people on drug and alcohol issues. Employees function under general supervision within program goals and objectives established by management. Employees are expected to carry out assignments independently within the parameters established by management.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Makes presentations to community groups to develop an awareness of drug and alcohol problems in the community.

Writes news articles for school newspapers on prevention topics to provide students with the latest drug and alcohol information.

Provides assistance to schools starting prevention programs such as, Students Against Drunk Driving, peer counseling, and student assistance programs.

Introduces the state recommended drug and alcohol curriculum to school districts, by contacting school superintendents, curriculum directors, and/or parent groups in order to provide the initial information.

Assists school districts in initiating a drug and alcohol abuse school improvement project by providing technical direction.

Makes presentations on drug and alcohol topics to parent groups, elementary classes, high school and driver education classes in order to inform them of current trends and ideas.

Publishes newsletter containing articles on a variety of prevention topics for dissemination in the community.

Meets with representatives from children’s services as an initial step in forming a "Parents Anonymous Group" in order to address the problem of child abuse.

Contacts organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous to establish working relationships and develop networks in the community on the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Distributes pamphlets to physicians relating to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in order to apprise them of the problems of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Serves on an information review committee to screen and review all films, pamphlets or other literature disseminated by the drug and alcohol office for suitability.

Appears on radio and/or television shows in order to inform the public of drug and alcohol issues.

Presents general information talks on drug and alcohol topics to churches, senior citizen groups, fraternal organizations, youth groups and PTO’s.

Provides training to resident advisors from local colleges on recognizing and referring students with drug and alcohol problems.

Organizes drug and alcohol prevention groups for youth involving community improvement projects and social activities as a means of channeling potential drug and alcohol abusers in a positive fashion.

Presents the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) course to participants using the standard course material in order to satisfy the requirements of the drunk driving law.

Conducts shift break training for police officers in order to acquaint them with visual cues to detect drunk drivers.

Modifies standard DUI course based on new developments in the field.

Meets with staff from County Probation and Parole Departments to determine procedures for handling DUI cases.

Appear in court to present results of Court Reporting Network (CRN) evaluation and make recommendations on type and length of treatment required for DUI referrals.

Perform related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of current developments in the drug and alcohol field.

Knowledge of problems in the schools and community in relation to drug and alcohol consumption.

Knowledge of school district organizational structure, curriculum, policies and practices.

Knowledge of community organizations and their function relative to drug and alcohol related problems.

Knowledge of health impacts relating to drug and alcohol consumption.

Knowledge of the alcohol highway safety laws and their application.

Ability to gather data in order to compose advertising and educational literature and deliver speeches on drug and alcohol topics.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Specialist Trainee;

or

A Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education, Education, the Social or Behavioral Sciences or related fields and one year experience in drug and alcohol prevention work;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST06