Hunt Middle School, New North End, seeks student support professional

• A. SCOPE OF WORK: The main function of this position is to engage and support students in middle and high school youth prevention groups to be leaders in reducing substance abuse and other risky behaviors in their own community. It has a primary focus on teaching skills, and facilitating and sustaining youth involvement. The job requires creativity, attention to detail, and an ability to communicate, engage and collaborate with a variety of audiences and partners, most importantly adolescent youth.

B. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Student Recruitment, Engagement, & Coordination
• Facilitate youth participation and leadership in community and school-based initiatives at Burlington High School, Edmunds Middle School, Lyman C. Hunt Middle School related to substance abuse prevention and healthy decision-making.
• Recruit students for groups and activities using effective marketing strategies and actively support ongoing participation with appropriate follow-up efforts.
• Implement the One Voice Youth Empowerment Model (OVYE). As part of this model this position will: 
  • Motivate youth to take roles in supporting prevention and wellness initiatives
  • Create the appropriate group structure to allow participating youth to collaborate on and lead projects they are interested in and advise youth on direction and research as needed.
  • Facilitate appropriate training and skill building opportunities to help students develop the skills needed to accomplish the group and individual goals
• Organize opportunities for middle and high school students to work collaboratively on community and school-based projects
• Organize opportunities for middle and high school students to teach elementary school-aged students about relevant substance misuse issues to build capacity and engagement in prevention over time. 
• Ensure all appropriate paperwork for student participation, including parent waivers, is kept up to date
• Organize and coordinate all components of the OVYE model with fidelity to the program.

• Community Education
• Work collaboratively with the Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community to create and disseminate anti-substance use advertising and information to help youth make informed choices
• Develop and implement prevention related events and activities in the school to:
  • Increase student awareness of and support for healthy choices
  • Provide opportunities for youth and adult dialogue about risky behaviors
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with youth-serving organizations and other partners in the area to increase collaboration and reach of youth prevention efforts
• Maintain and utilize a working knowledge of significant developments, trends, and best practices in substance abuse prevention and attend relevant training when appropriate.
• Administrative

• Coordinate and oversee the implementation of the grant objectives and activities for Burlington High School related to prevention, including: tobacco use prevention, Our Voices Exposed (OVX, high school tobacco prevention) and youth engagement.
  • Track and manage record keeping for grant reporting and program evaluation. 
  • Assist with research and writing for new grants and funding 
  • Assist with implementation of school/program needs and resource assessments and surveys
• Attendance in accordance with established days/hours of work.
• Perform other tasks and duties as appropriate and/or assigned.

C. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

        Eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship

• Education: 

1. 1. Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree in counseling, psychology, or social work, or the equivalent in a related field
   2. Minimum Certification: Current Apprentice Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate, (ASAC)  or willingness to become apprenticed within 90 days of hire.

• Experience:  

1. Minimum Preferred: Two years experience working with adolescents.
2. Must have knowledge of the general fields of health, education, social welfare and alcohol and drug abuse.
3. Must have knowledge of available community treatment facilities and other supportive services.
4. Must have knowledge of short-term counseling techniques.
5. Must have knowledge of various techniques concerning treatment, education and prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.
6. Must have experience in facilitating groups.

• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
• Working knowledge: Sufficient familiarity with the subject to know basic principles and terminology and to understand and solve simple problems.
• General knowledge: Sufficient knowledge of a field to perform most work in normal situations. The work calls for comprehension of standard situations and includes knowledge of most of the significant aspects of the subject.
• Thorough knowledge: Advanced knowledge of the subject matter. The work calls for sufficient comprehension of the subject area to solve unusual as well as common work problems, to be able to advise on technical matters and to serve as a resource on the subject for others in the organization.
• Comprehensive knowledge: Requires complete mastery and understanding of the subject. This term should be used sparingly and only for unusually exacting or responsible positions required to originate hypotheses, concepts, or approaches.

4.  List Specific Skills And/Or Abilities Preferred:

1. Aptitude and passion for community based prevention and youth engagement
2. Demonstrated experience working effectively to engage adolescents, in both group and individual settings
3. Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and implement both short and long-term community events/projects
4. Strong public speaking/facilitation skills. Ability to engage, motivate, direct and educate 
5. Desire and ability to collaborate with school SAP counselors, prevention coordinators, teachers, and staff
6. Experience in data collection/record keeping – proficient with spreadsheet software
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills
8. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
9. Ability to work autonomously and take initiative
10. Experience building relationships with other individuals and groups to achieve mutual goals/outcomes
11. Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality 
12. Valid Vermont drivers license
13. Experience working in a school setting a plus

D. WORKING CONDITIONS: These are the physical and mental/reasoning requirements of the position as it is typically performed.  The inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental/reasoning requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position.

Equal Opportunity: Burlington School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.Applications from women, veterans, individuals with disabilities and people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

The Burlington School District will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities