] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → SPECIALIST, SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

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Specialist, Substance Abuse Prevention

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Speclst Substnce Abuse Prev CODE: 0875 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Specialist, Substance Abuse Prevention GRADE: BD MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Note: This is a conditional position supported by Federal Grant Funds. Under direction in the Office for Instruction and Program Development, Division of Health & Physical Education, works with the coordinator of health education to assist in implementing the Drug-Free Schools & Communities Project in MCPS and all private and parochial schools in Montgomery County. Serves as liaison for substance abuse prevention and education activities in schools, communities, and with a wide variety of local and state agencies. Prepares budget requests and reports; monitors and evaluates programs; assists in reviewing curriculum materials; and assists with training programs for SCATS, SHOP, SADD, MADD, Student Support Programs and related functions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of MCPS substance abuse policies and implementation provisions, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge. Knowledge of strategies to implement substance abuse prevention programs and activities for staff and students in Grades K-12 and for in-service courses. Knowledge of community and interagency programs on prevention/educationfintervention regarding substance abuse. Knowledge of model programs dealing with in-service training/staff development, and of student programs dealing with self-esteem, self-image, and self-worth. Knowledge of federal, state and local drug-free workplace policies. Knowledge of pupil services system and MCPS K-12 health education program. Knowledge of substance abuse issues in Montgomery County. Ability to work with central and area office and school staff as well as community groups and governmental agencies on substance abuse issues. Ability to prepare major reports to the Board of Education and Interagency Coordinating Council on Substance Abuse.Ability to prepare grant proposals. Ability to work with MSDE/DHMH on at-risk initiatives and programs/proposals and to convert proposals into action plans. Ability to assist the Carl Center, SADD, MADD, SCATs, SHOP, and other special prevention efforts. Ability to effectively handle frequent contact with electronic and print media. Excellent oral and written communications and human relations skills. Familiarity with assertiveness training, such as those used in MCPS Project Smart, Project Dare and McGruff programs.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree (or approved equivalent) with emphasis in health education, health services, pupil personnel or counseling. Course work or experience in substance abuse prevention programs and activities. Supervision, administration and program management course work or experience desirable. Experience working with a varietyof prevention, education and intervention strategies for teachers to help students and their families with substance abuse problems. Experience in using state/community resources to assist school staff and community groups address substance abuse issues. Experience in managing budgets and office operations. Experience preparing, submitting, implementing, and evaluating grants. Experience dealing with issues associated with substance abuse such as AIDS, adolescent depression, teen suicide, and teen pregnancy. Experience dealing with supports for students from dysfunctional families. Experience working with activities that enhance coping/decision-making skills and overall self-esteem and character building development.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: None.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) Carting materials to meetings, training conferences and seminars. Many evening meetings and about two weekends per month, which become physically and mentally taxing.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Frequent evening and weekend meetings. Must have dependable means of transportation.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Works under the direction of the director, Division of Health and Physical Education in the Office for Instruction and Program Development, and the Coordinator of Health, Education, and in concert with the Parent Peer Coordinator.

Implements the MCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Project and prepares/updates proposals for subsequent years of the project.

Serves as liaison to a wide variety of community-based & governmental groups such as Alcoholism/Drug Abuse Advisory Councils, SADD, MADD, MSDE, DHMH, DAVMHS, Montgomery County Health/Policy/Recreation Departments, MCPS central/area offices and schools, Montgomery County Department of Family Resources, Juvenile Services, Social Services, Governor's Office for Justice Assistance, BAD, Inc., and the Care Center.

Works with the Substance Abuse Prevention Unit in Montgomery County Government and with the Montgomery County Drug Policy Coordinator.

Assists the coordinator of health education in reviewing curriculum materials in substance abuse prevention, assists in developing classroom strategies and assessment activities, assists with coordinating in-service activities for instructional staff, members of SCATs, SHOP, SADD, Just Say No programs, Children Are People, MADD, & the Care Center, and works with the Prevention and Education Committee of the Coordinating Council on Substance Abuse.

Prepares materials for community/parent awareness on problems of substance abuse in Montgomery County & coordinates activities with the Care Center, Montgomery County Substance Abuse Prevention Unit and the Montgomery County Coordinating Council on Substance Abuse.

Coordinates activities on substance abuse prevention/education with public and nonpublic schools located in Montgomery County; prepares reports to the MSDE on schedule and monthly to local advisory councils.

Assists coordinator of health education with all interface activities in MCPS regarding substance abuse prevention/education/intervention.

Reviews regulations and MCPS policies relating to substance abuse prevention for both students and employees and recommends revisions as needed.

Participates in completing all objectives as appropriate for the department, OIPD, and in managing other duties and tasks as assigned.

Attends appropriate school-based, community-based, and Board of Education meetings, and conferences to maintain consistency and accuracy for MCPS substance abuse prevention programs; provides staff with reports from those meetings, conferences, and seminars and implements programs and activities as appropriate.

Assists division director with issues surrounding substance abuse, AIDS prevention education as it relates to IV drug abuse, adolescent depression and teen suicide, and teen pregnancy as appropriate.

Assists school-based staff with implementing the substance abuse prevention/education instructional program and interpreting the program to MCPS staff and the public.

Directs activities of the MCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council and conducts meetings on a regular basis to monitor the project and make recommendations.

Assist in handling contact with the media--both electronic and print.

Assists staff with assertiveness training techniques such as those used in the MCPS Project SMART,Project DARE, and McGruff program.

Performs a variety of related work as required.

Class Established: 11/89
Date(s) Revised: 8/90, 7/96, 8/97
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.