The Prevention Specialist is a member of the Prevention Team who implements initiatives to build capacity statewide around the primary prevention of domestic violence; supports the development and promotion of grassroots community engagement strategies to end domestic violence; and collaborates with internal and external partners to carry out statewide domestic violence prevention efforts. The Prevention Specialist may either lead or support coworkers on various projects as assigned. The Prevention Specialist reports to the Prevention Manager and will be expected to work with minimal supervision.

General Position Purpose Statement

The Prevention Specialist is a member of the Prevention Team who implements initiatives to build capacity statewide around the primary prevention of domestic violence; supports the development and promotion of grassroots community engagement strategies to end domestic violence; and collaborates with internal and external partners to carry out statewide domestic violence prevention efforts. The Prevention Specialist may either lead or support coworkers on various projects as assigned. The Prevention Specialist reports to the Prevention Manager and will be expected to work with minimal supervision.

Essential Responsibilities/Duties

• Use effective, current and innovative methods to strengthen and expand the capacity of grassroots community organizations, family violence programs and other groups engaged in community organizing and primary prevention of domestic violence.
• Identify the needs of prevention partners and develop plans for implementing services to meet identified needs.
• Research, design, and implement trainings.
• Respond to calls and requests for consultative technical assistance on primary prevention and community organizing in a supportive, timely manner.
• Conduct independent research to provide in-depth technical assistance on primary prevention and community organizing to organizations and individuals.
• Make proactive calls to assess needs of and provide support to constituents; conduct follow-up contacts to assess effectiveness of information provided; and stay informed on current events impacting prevention practitioners.
• Develop, research, and analyze content of materials on a variety of issues related to community organizing and primary prevention to end domestic violence.
• Identify and/or develop written materials to promote critical knowledge about the prevention of domestic violence, both within the Coalition and statewide, to distribute locally, statewide, and nationally, including via the Internet.
• Document and distribute timely information about best practices in domestic violence prevention.
• Develop and use electronic networking resources, such as list servers and on-line bulletin boards, to support the networking of prevention partners and organizations.
• Collaborate with the Director, the Manager, and other TCFV staff in the strategic development of TCFV prevention programs.
• Make recommendations to the Manager and the Director for program and strategy changes and/or improvements.
• Build, cultivate and maintain networking opportunities and advocacy with programs that have the capability to enhance and/or increase strategic prevention initiatives.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of grant activities, including contributing information for agency’s funding applications, and submission of evaluations, reports, and other required or requested documentation.
• Other projects and responsibilities may be added and/or changed at the discretion of the Manager or the Director.

 

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required      

• Must be proactive, communicative, responsive, creative, flexible, and results-oriented to accomplish agency and program goals; and possess mission of service attitude with a strong commitment to and knowledge of constituent service and relations.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build relationships and encourage community engagement in domestic violence prevention. Ability to develop and maintain strategic professional working relationships with community members, domestic violence program staff, agency staff and board, vendors, consultants, allied professionals, other stakeholders and general public.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills suitable for presentation and written publication for internal and external distribution.  Experience delivering effective oral presentations and/or workshops to diverse professionals and community participants.
• Strong facilitation skills to engage a wide variety of people and organizations, from state agency personnel to grassroots community organizers.
• Self-driven, self-directed to work independently and as part of a team and/or with minimal supervision; disciplined time management skills to coordinate and prioritize own and others’ activities, evaluate progress, provide feedback and reallocate resources as needed to complete activities within appropriate timeframes.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills to synthesize information of value to community based organizations and/or domestic violence programs engaged in primary prevention and/or community organizing to end domestic violence.
• Ability to respond with sensitivity and awareness to diverse cultural, ethnic, social backgrounds, values, attitudes, and languages, and to develop programs and services in response to diverse needs.
• Thorough knowledge of domestic violence issues and the circumstances faced by those experiencing it.  Commitment to a non-violent perspective and willingness to work in such an environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of primary prevention and of grassroots community organizing.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of employee, donor, funders, and case information.
• Proficient project management skills with demonstrated ability to multi-task and work under tight and /or changing timelines and priorities.
• Working knowledge of Windows 2000 or above and Microsoft Office applications
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social or Human Services or related field, plus a minimum of three years experience in domestic violence or community organizing programs, preferably programs that provide direct services to survivors and intervention and prevention services to batterers.
• Or any combination of related education and experience with a documented record of the ability to perform duties and responsibilities of the position. (Equivalency formula: two years of experience is equal to one year of education.)

 

Other Requirements/Working Conditions

• Ability to read, write and converse in English; Spanish a plus.
• Availability to travel extensively and overnight occasionally to provide on-site technical assistance and training..
• Must have emotional and physical stamina to tolerate prolonged sitting or standing to deal with a variety of stressful situations, including responses to complaints and internal and external interactions, to effectively work long and at times odd hours, while maintaining a sense of humor.
• Works in a normal office environment, except while traveling, with minimum exposure to dust, noise, or temperature extremes.  Requires bending, stooping, lifting and carrying objects up to 25 pounds, with or without accommodations.