A minimum of a bachelor’s degree with prior experience in substance abuse prevention, education, health, social work, psychology or related field is preferred. A CPP (Credentialed Prevention Professional) certificate from NYS OASAS is a plus. (CPP Credentialing Info) Because of the community-based nature of the work, some evenings and weekends are required. Prevention Specialists must have their own transportation. Salary is commensurate with experience and education. Prevention Specialists report to the Executive Director.  See information below for how to submit your resume and information.

LEAF staff are expected to interact effectively with community members of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, above average verbal and written communication skills are a must. Teaching, training and public speaking in a variety of settings are key components to being a successful Prevention Specialist.

Although the LEAF staff work as a team on a variety of projects, the anticipated positions will have specific focus areas.

Prevention Specialist #1 (youth and school focus) will be responsible for a range of prevention activities, including the following types of responsibilities:

• Providing school-based prevention, with likely emphasis on two programs:

1. 1. Teen Intervene (Info on Teen Intervene)
   2. Life Skills Training (Info on Life Skills Training)

• Interacting with agencies/organizations that refer young people to the Teen Intervene Program including School Based Health Centers, Guidance Counselors, Classroom Teachers, Family Court, and Human Service Organizations.
• Working closely with the FASD Prevention and Healthy Families Coalition. This is a newly formed coalition that is geared toward healthy pregnancies and early childhood development.
• Assisting the Executive Director and other staff members in developing and/or writing proposals for funding opportunities 
• Working closely with other Prevention Specialists on LEAF activities and projects

Prevention Specialist #2(Environmental substance abuse prevention and media focus) will be responsible for a range of prevention activities, including the following types of responsibilities:

• Developing expertise on the goals and theories behind environmental substance abuse prevention.  (Brief Overview of Environmental Prevention)
• Developing and implementing effective environmental strategies that:

1. 1. Help change favorable community norms about drinking and other drug use
   2. Promote lower accessibility to alcohol and other drugs
   3. Support law enforcement in keeping our youth and neighborhoods safe from the effects of alcohol and other drugs.
   4. Connect to statewide and national policy issues that will impact local use rates

• Updating and maintaining LEAF’s web site after training on the Joomla content management system. No knowledge of HTML is required. www.leafinc.org
• Coordinating LEAF’s media-based environmental prevention messages on mediums that include, radio, print and electronic
• Regularly interact with Social Media on behalf of LEAF
• Writing and submitting press releases to media outlets
• Assisting the Executive Director and other staff members in developing and/or writing proposals for funding opportunities
• Working closely with other Prevention Specialists on LEAF activities and projects

The Part Time Prevention Specialist (Special programs focus) will be responsible for a range of prevention activities, including the following types of responsibilities:

• Working with schools, PTO’s and other organizations to develop a “Safe Homes” campaign for Otsego County. (Example of a Safe Homes campaign)
• Working with SADD chapters at Otsego County schools to create a countywide “Sticker Shock” campaign. (Overview of a Sticker Shock Campaign)
• Developing strategies for increasing community awareness during Alcohol Awareness Month, Recovery Month and Drinking and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.
• Assisting the Executive Director and other staff members in developing and/or writing proposals for funding opportunities  
• Working closely with other prevention specialists on LEAF activities and projects

The specific responsibilities of these anticipated positions may be shifted or changed dependent upon LEAF activities and the needs of the community.

To apply for a position, please send:

• An updated resume
• A cover letter indicating the position(s) in which you are interested
• A 200-300 word writing sample (suggestions: An actual [non-confidential] report or press release that you have written or a sample press release about a possible prevention activity that you might envision)
• Three professional references and their contact information

Incomplete submissions are strongly discouraged. Please submit all documents electronically to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

LEAF, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability or veteran status.