Youth Addiction Specialist

Provides substance misuse prevention services to youth, specializing in supporting youth to overcome substance misuse and supporting youth exposed to drug, alcohol, and behavioral addictions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Collaborate with schools, parents, teachers, civic organizations, faith-based groups, and other youth/community organizations to provide substance awareness, education, and prevention (drugs, alcohol, tobacco).
  • Inform parents and guardians about relevant community resources and support services for their families.
  • Maintain accurate case management records; document all program activities as required; submit program reports and records within established agency deadlines.
  • Network with prevention, intervention, treatment, and mental health agencies to deliver comprehensive services, assess client needs, and make appropriate referrals.
  • Facilitate youth prevention and education groups.
  • Participate in health fairs and community events to deliver anti-substance use messages.
  • Assist in conducting orientation and information sessions for parents, teachers, school staff, and administrators at target sites.
  • Plan and implement youth programs focusing on leadership development and life-skill building.
  • Assist in maintaining and updating the agency’s community resource directory, video reference library, curriculum inventory, program materials inventory, and physical inventory.
  • Provide in-service training to agency staff on addiction and prevention topics aligned with expertise.
  • Attend trainings, seminars, workshops, and classes to maintain required credentials and complete continuing education.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Health, or related human services field REQUIRED; Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Addiction Studies PREFERRED

Experience: Background in crisis response, youth engagement, and case documentation REQUIRED

• Experience working with youth in a school or community setting
• Experience delivering public speaking presentations
• Experience with curriculum implementation
• Experience working in multicultural environments

Licenses / Certs:

• Certification as an Addictions Counselor (CADC, CADC II, LADC II, or LADC I) REQUIRED
• CPR and First Aid Certifications (must obtain within 2 months of hire and maintain active status)

Valid MA driver’s license PREFERRED

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong crisis intervention and response skills
• Working knowledge of community resources and adolescent mental health issues
• Group facilitation skills

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish PREFERRED

Other

• Satisfactory completion of background check (CORI and fingerprinting)

Direct-service human services setting including office environments, public schools, community centers, health fairs, and youth program spaces. May require local travel across program sites and attending evening/weekend community events.

Vacation and PTO, insurance, and retirement.

Fluency in English and Spanish preferred.