Prevention Specialist - Gaudenzia

Do You have the heart to serve others?

Do you have knowledge of the North Philadelphia area, community and school system? 

Are you comfortable working with under privilaged children and making a lifelong impact?

Do you enjoy working with the age group of  12-17 year olds?

This position is grant funded until June 2025 - are you a work study student or looking for an intership - this could work for you!

If you answered YES to those questions, the Full Time Prevention Specialist position at Gaudenzia is for you! 

We are seeking a full-time Bachelor's Level prevention Specialists for this role. 

Centro Primavera Early Intervention is a drug and alcohol education program for at risk children ages five through twelve. The program provides services for elementrary, middle and high school age teens, economically disadvantage youth, children of Substance Abusers, parents, family members, teachers, civic groups, coalitions, community and the general population.  Monthly parent and family education groups are offered and participation is encouraged.  The program offers 8 and 12 week cycles for after school and in-school programing Peer leaders and Camera/Video interviewers participate throughout the school year and or summer programing utilizing the ARISE/Too good for Drugs curriculums.  Hours would be Monday - Friday.

We need hope-bringers and changemakers — because the work we all do matters. If you’re passionate about making an impact with your time and being someone’s light in the darkness, we want you on our team. 

Come Join Us to Do Mission-Based, Meaningful Work

Who We Are

Gaudenzia is one of the largest nonprofit providers of treatment to people with substance use and co-occurring disorders in the nation. We operate in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.   

Our caring, compassionate team is on a mission to save thousands of lives each year and bring hope to people devastated by substance use disorder. Together, we help individuals, families, and communities heal and thrive in the face of one of the most devastating public health crises of our time.  

As our organization grows and evolves to meet the needs of our clients and communities, we’re seeking passionate, empathic individuals to help us make an impact. With your help, we can turn the tide on substance use disorder.

Who We’re Looking For

A successful Prevention Specialist is self-driven, motivated, and enjoys working with children and working with people from diverse backgrounds and doesn’t shy away from honest and caring — yet sometimes difficult — conversations. This position is for you if you’re able to treat others with dignity, compassion, and respect, even in life’s most challenging moments.

This individual is responsible for aiding in the implementation and facilitation of a drug and alcohol prevention program. Responsibilities will include assisting with planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of a program designed to educate individuals about the effects of drugs and alcohol misuse and developing protective factors.  

Your responsibilities in this role may include:

• Treat all clients and staff with dignity and respect.
•  Implement and facilitate prevention program curriculum and conduct related activities.
• Coordinate and deliver educational groups, workshops, and seminars for clients and the community. 
• Maintain documentation of client records, children’s records, group notes, and individual notes according to the established guidelines, and ensure their accurate and timely completion- including the use of the WITS system.
• Participate in staff meetings, functions, and special activities, as directed.
• Maintain contact with clinical/prevention staff at facilities whose clients the program serves.
• Assist in the coordination of prevention programs with other cooperating Gaudenzia facilities and programs.

• Have the ability to collaborate with other partners/stakeholders associated with the program participants.

• All other duties as assigned by the Prevention Specialist Supervisor or designee.

Treat

Benefits & Perks:

Gaudenzia is a diverse, inclusive workplace where purpose-driven people thrive. We think our team members are real heroes, and we believe those who devote their lives to making the world a better place deserve competitive salaries, generous health benefits, and unbeatable work-life balance in return.

Benefits & Perks at Gaudenzia include:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance (At No Cost)
• Short-Term Disability Insurance (At No Cost)
• Life Insurance (At No Cost)
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (At No Cost)
• Vision Insurance
• Various Supplemental Benefits (Aflac, Legal, Identity Theft & FSA)
• You generate two banks of time off: Personal and Vacation

• Paid Time Off (PTO) Accruals at 80 hours minimally during your 1^st year of employment
• Vacation Accruals at 80 hours minimally during your 1^st year of employment

• 10 Paid Holidays Per Calendar Year
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Education Assistance Benefit (Tuition Reimbursement)
• Full reimbursement for the cost of professional license/certification renewals
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with an Employer Match Up to 5%
• Employee Assistance Program

Gaudenzia is an equal opportunity employer. We do not practice or permit discrimination based on race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, religion, creed, disability, or veteran’s status.

Education/Training:  Master's or Bachelor’s degree -  specialized training is a plus.

Experience:  At least 1 year of experience working in a prevention/school setting would be a plus along with being bi-lingual.  

Background Checks:  The position you are being hired for is contingent upon the results of a successful reference/background check due to working with children.

What Matters to Us? Our Mission & Our Operating Principles

Our Mission 

Gaudenzia aspires to connect individuals and families to addiction and mental health treatment so they can attain long-term recovery and achieve a fulfilling life embraced by a broad community of mutual support. 

Our Operating Principles:

 We, as members of the Gaudenzia Team, are committed to these principles. They guide the way we perform Gaudenzia business, every day.

1. We hold client care as our top priority.
2. We assume good intentions.
3. We are present, we connect, and we communicate with transparency, dignity, and respect.
4. We make data-driven decisions with courage, challenge the status quo, and find innovative ways to grow Gaudenzia and each other.
5. We support each other publicly and privately in all circumstances.
6. We provide and accept constructive, honest, respectful, and timely feedback with an open mind and without personalization.
7. We operate with integrity, focus on outcomes, and have a bias for action.
8. We follow through on agreements and honor commitments prioritized with a sense of urgency — someone’s life may depend on it.

Gaudenzia is proud to be an employer of choice — and a treatment provider of choice — in the substance use and co-occurring disorders treatment field. We work hard to foster an inclusive, supportive environment where our employees and clients always feel safe and welcome. Come work with us!