Youth, Community Response & Engagement Coordinator

The Town of Ashland is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Youth, Community Response & Engagement Coordinator (RCEP). This position will be responsible for coordinating Ashland’s prevention efforts, including substance use prevention and behavioral health promotion. The role also includes enhancing community engagement, building responsive programming to address emerging behavioral health trends, and fostering strong relationships across sectors to support long-term community wellbeing. This position will oversee youth prevention initiatives through Decisions at Every Turn (DAET) Programming & Education and support the expansion of adult and community prevention initiatives through POWER Programs. The RCEP Coordinator will help identify prevention priorities and collaborate with municipal staff and Town Departments to support the department’s mission: to integrate prevention in community programs and practices, promote proactive response models, and engage all ages in shaping a culture of wellbeing.

1) Develops and coordinates youth-focused, response-driven prevention initiatives, including efforts to inform and educate the community about prevention & behavioral health.

2) Serves as the coordinator for DAET, ensuring that grant requirements and other funding mandates effectively support the prevention goals set forth by DAET and its community partners.

3) Identifies opportunities with other department staff to integrate prevention and responsive strategies across the lifespan and within the scope of services to support Ashland’s goal of community wellbeing.

Annual Salary: $60,000 - $70,000

Schedule: 40 hours per week

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinate Decisions at Every Turn (DAET) Programming & Education, including mandates and reporting requirements set forth in the STOP Act grant and other future grant awards
• Coordinate the STAND social norms campaign, including message development, poster development, message dosage schedule, and school-based activities to support campaign
• Establish the Ashland Youth Prevention Council consisting of Ashland High and Middle School Youth to create and implement prevention-based initiatives in our community, with a focus on engagement, equity, and youth-driven response to emerging issues
• Manage DAET’s social media plan using Facebook and Instagram to promote coalition events, prevention resources, and partner initiatives
• Oversee the DAET quarterly newsletter
• Support broad prevention-based initiatives to integrate prevention across all aspects of health and across all ages through POWER Programs
• Work with department staff to identify opportunities to and implement new programs, services, and educational resources that bridge prevention and human services
• Work with community organizations and municipal departments to support key Prevention & Human Services prevention initiatives including Kindness Week, Mental Health Awareness Month and Overdose Awareness Day
• Strengthen community response networks, public engagement strategies, and accessible prevention messaging
• Collaborate with emergency response, school staff, and community partners to identify and implement timely responses to behavioral health concerns and crises affecting Ashland residents
• Participate in local, regional and statewide discussions regarding substance use and behavioral health issues affecting Ashland community members.
• Assist with Prevention & Human Services Resident Intake via phone
• Assist the team with Food Resources pickup, drop off, orders, and walk-ins.
• Assist with supervision of the Master of Social Work intern.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The employee works under the direction of the Director of Prevention & Human Services. The employee plans and prioritizes the majority of the work independently, in accordance with standard practices and previous training. The employee is expected to solve most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods or interpreting instructions. Instructions for new assignments usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines or priorities. Technical and policy issues or changes are discussed with the supervisor. The work is generally reviewed only for technical adequacy and appropriateness of decisions. Methods are not usually reviewed in detail.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, or related human services, with at least 3-5 years of prevention experience or related human services field (Master’s preferred). Certified Prevention Specialist (preferred).

KNOWLEDGE ABILITY AND SKILL

Knowledge: Knowledge of local, state, and national organizations and prevention resources to maximize collaboration and outreach.

Abilities: Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, to be a good listener, display sensitivity to the needs of residents, and have strong social and interpersonal skills. Demonstrate an ability to build trust through community engagement, respond to evolving needs, and apply prevention frameworks in both individual and population-level contexts.

Skill: Skill in standard office equipment and computer applications.

Physical Skills

Some physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, lifting, and standing. There will be some lifting of objects such as food pantry items, photocopy and computer paper.

https://www.ashlandmass.com/453/Benefits