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Prevention Specialist - SU Focus

Every conversation matters. Every connection counts. This is how change begins.

YSS is looking for a dedicated, compassionate, and genuine full-time Substance Use Prevention Specialist!

The Substance Use Prevention Specialist will promote, implement, and maintain evidence-based prevention programming for youth and/or adults in Boone County The Specialist will work in collaboration with prevention staff, local community coalitions, and schools in implementing and promoting prevention programs with a focus on Substance Use Prevention programs. The Specialist will assist in the promotion of assigned prevention and youth development efforts for youth and community members of the assigned counties. Other responsibilities include:

Substance Use Prevention Efforts: Prepping, delivering, and reporting on substance use prevention programs including:
- delivery of science-based substance use curricula,
- community consultation on substance use topics such as reproductive health, healthy relationships, etc.
- participation in coalitions, and
- other substance use education delivery.
Other Prevention Efforts as needed: Prepping, delivering, and reporting other Prevention Programs including
- the delivery of science-based adolescent pregnancy prevention curricula,
- youth development,
- youth employment,
- community consultation on substance use,
- participation in coalitions, and
- other prevention education delivery.
Summer Enrichment Efforts:
- maintaining responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Summer Enrichment Program,
- planning, scheduling, and facilitating for an assigned group of students in Summer Enrichment services as needed,
- contacting and recruiting community businesses or agencies to employ at-risk youth, and
- placing youth in jobs aligned with their interests/talents.

This description is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.

What We Provide...

We believe in your potential, we meet you where you are, and we invest in your future. Beyond the meaningful work, YSS provides the following benefits:

Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture.
Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment.
Wellness Program Opportunities
- Paid membership to the Athletic Club of Ames
- Employee Assistance Program for all employees
- Flu shots
- Mental health support
YSS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.

If this sounds like work you’d be proud to do—and a team you’d want to grow with—we’d love to hear from you. Let’s do meaningful work, together.

We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a ”Can Do” Spirit. Additionally, we ask for the following:

MUST HAVES - Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in education, child development, family environment, sociology or social work.
Two years of experience working with youth in a group setting.
- or
Associate's degree in education, child development, family environment, sociology or social work.
Four years of experience working with youth in a group setting.
- plus
Completion of the Prevention Specialist certification is required within 24 months of employment
Travel, including transporting clients, is required for this position. For YSS insurance purposes, you must:
- be 21 years of age,
- have a valid, state-issued, driver's license,
- have a clean driving record, and
- have adequate insurance coverage per YSS policy.

SHOULD HAVES - Preferred Qualifications

Have a Teaching Certificate
Be a skilled public speaker, writer, and listener, able to share information and concepts with various audiences.
Understand issues of substance use, substance use disorders and the needs of youth facing substance use and dependency.
Understand available chemical dependency treatment interventions and other intervention strategies available to address these needs.

The IDEAL candidate will:

Be rooted in purpose and driven by equity, inclusion, and positive social impact.
Bring humility, respect, and cultural awareness to every interaction.
Speaks a language in addition to English (especially one spoken in our communities).

Who You Are...

You’re someone who shows up—consistently, compassionately, and without needing the spotlight. You care deeply about young people and believe they deserve support, structure, and a real shot at something better. You can hold boundaries with kindness, stay grounded when things get tough, and meet people where they are without judgment.

We Celebrate Your Story...

Have you navigated recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability? Your lived experience offers a unique, compassionate perspective that can inspire real change. By sharing your story and serving as a role model or mentor, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families. Your journey matters. If you’re ready to use it to uplift and empower others, we warmly encourage you to apply.

Who We Are...

We’re YSS - one of Iowa’s oldest & largest nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission? To spark hope, create opportunities, and help young people thrive. With life-changing programs, an enthusiastic leadership team, and our brand-new 50-acre recovery campus, we’re growing fast and thinking big. Check us out at yss.org!

At YSS, we celebrate the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences that each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we’re dedicated to creating a respectful, inclusive, and empowering environment where everyone can grow and succeed. And we’re always working to do better together.

YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.

Heads Up! Don’t Miss Our Messages! - We communicate with applicants via email - straight from our Paycom system. So be sure to keep an eye on your inbox (and your spam/junk folder too). Got questions? Email yss@yss.org - we’re happy to help!

The YSS Hiring Process

Apply - Fill out the online app at yss.org/ysscareers.
Assessment - We’ll check out your skills and experience.
Interview - Phone, video, or in-person - we’ll chat and get to know you.
References - Send us three+ people who can sing your praises.
Screening - Background and driving checks (plus license verification if needed).
Offer - If it’s a match, you’ll get a formal offer through Paycom.

Applicable Degrees: Adolescent Psychology, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Education, Family Science, Family Studies, Human Services, Psychology, Public Administration, Public Health, Social Work, Youth Development, Youth Services

Keywords: Abuse, Addiction, Advocacy, Analysis, Assessment, At-risk, Behavioral, Care, Case, CBT, Centered, Client, Coach, Cognitive, Community, Coordination, Counseling, Crisis, Detox, Develop, Education, Engagement, Evaluation, Evidence-Based, Facilitation, Family, Flexibility, Group, Health, Holistic, Human, Individual, Informed, Inpatient, Intervention, Living, Management, Mental, Monitoring, Motivational, Outpatient, Outreach, Peer, Personalized, Planning, Plans, Prevention, Program, Psychiatry, Psychology, Recovery, Rehabilitation, Relapse, Services, Sober, Social, Specialist, Substance, Support, Technique, Therapeutic, Therapy, Trauma, Treatment, Use, Wellness

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