Prevention Educator/Counselor, Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (50121)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is responsible for facilitating identified Evidence Based Program curricula, information awareness activities, positive alternative activities, and Prevention & Early Intervention Counseling in order to prevent the development of maladaptive behaviors (substance abuse and gambling), reduce risk factors (harm reduction), and strengthen protective factors. Essential duties and responsibilities include:

Prevention Educator Responsibilities:

• Utilize Evidence Based Practice (EBP) such as curriculum, early intervention, environmental strategies and counseling services as indicated, to seniors (60 years and older)
• Attend necessary EBP curricula training sessions in order to become proficient in facilitation with fidelity, and monitor participant attendance to achieve a minimum of 80%;
• Conduct Screening Brief Intervention Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) as indicated, delineate individual participant's personal goals for development, and complete accurate progress summary notes aligned with designated counseling goals;
• Submit required documentation promptly every week;
• Refer participants for support services internally or externally for appropriate services;
• Assist in outreach efforts to seniors, senior center administrators, and support staff to provide appropriate services;
• Participate in weekly individual supervision and monthly group case conference/peer supervision sessions as scheduled;
• Attend community meetings as scheduled to inform stakeholders and constituents of services;
• Fulfill the designated amount of weekly counseling and EBP sessions as specified;
• Complete all other assignments and tasks as specified by supervision.

Specific responsibilities pertaining to the WISE program include:

• Participate in training workshops and webinars as scheduled
• Engage in coaching sessions on how to integrate mental health and referrals into work
• Identify mental health concerns and deliver brief evidence-based interventions to meet participant’s mental health needs
• Maintain proficient use of these mental health support skills
• Work towards improving mental health outcomes for participating elders
• Collaborate closely with Senior Centers and Service Coordinators to recruit seniors and accept referrals for screening

COMPETENCIES

• Two years qualifying prevention work experience;
• Language fluency: Spanish/English or Mandarin/Cantonese/English preferred;
• Demonstrated experience working with elders in interactive workshop provision and structured activities;
• Established facilitation skills, networking, and rapport building with elders in conversations about sensitive topics;
• Possession of a patient, empathic, and extroverted demeanor
• Organizational and analytical skills which are informed by the priorities of the prevention program;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programming and internal databases monitoring progress to fulfill program goals;
• Ability to organize and maintain detailed records, complete necessary paperwork and meet prescribed deadlines;
• Capability to communicate well verbally and in writing;
• Adaptability to meeting changing priorities and meeting deadlines;
• Successful experience providing services to the target population
• Provide services in a manner sensitive to the characteristics and cultures of the population of the designated neighborhood
• Ability to understand the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communi