Position Summary
The Prevention Specialist is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing culturally relevant alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse prevention activities for youth, families, and community members. This position is located at Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. headquarters in Rio Rancho, New Mexico and is assigned to support prevention programming within Cochiti Pueblo.
The Prevention Specialist will work in close collaboration with Cochiti Pueblo Health Services, Cochiti Family Services, Tribal departments, schools, community partners, and Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. Behavioral Health Services staff to support prevention education, youth engagement, community wellness, and grant-funded prevention objectives.
The ideal candidate will have experience working with Native American, Pueblo, or Tribal communities and an understanding of culturally grounded approaches to wellness. Knowledge of traditional activities, including traditional arts or regalia-making, is preferred, as many prevention activities may connect cultural identity, wellness, youth resiliency, and substance use prevention.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
The Prevention Specialist will be assigned to Cochiti Pueblo and will perform the following duties:
- Implement culturally relevant, age-appropriate alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention activities grounded in the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Six Prevention Strategies and aligned with funding agency requirements.
- Develop and maintains strong working relationships with tribal staff from each Pueblo to support prevention objectives and program activities.
- Facilitates experiential education strategies to strengthen youth engagement, leadership, resiliency, and prevention awareness.
- Collaborates with other Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. departments to provide prevention education and training to youth, parents, and community members.
- Recruits participants Community Prevention Teams and youth-focused programming.
- Assists in developing grant proposals to secure funding for new and continuing initiatives.
- Works with neighboring school districts and community programs to advance prevention goals and expand reach.
- Develops an annual ATODA Prevention Plan and revises the scope of work based on evolving community needs and grant priorities.
- Identifies challenges or barriers during program implementation and makes recommendations to the Behavioral Health Services Program Director.
- Submits required data, documentation, and narrative reports on a monthly and quarterly basis.
- Attends required trainings, meetings, and collaborative sessions hosted by Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos Behavioral Health Services and funding entities.
- Coordinates prevention representation, outreach efforts, and staffing for health fairs, community events, and relevant activities.
- Works with collaboratively with Therapists, Case Management, and other service providers to identify individuals in need of treatment and make appropriate referrals.
- Maintains compliance with all confidentiality requirements and cultural protocols.
- Adheres to Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. Personnel Policies and Procedures.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Native American Cultural regalia
- Must obtain Prevention Specialist Certification within six (6) months of hire (training provided).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Effective communication, presentation, and public speaking skills.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse ages, backgrounds, and community groups.
- Must pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screening and background check.
- Must sign a confidentiality statement upon hire.
- Valid New Mexico driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and proof of liability insurance required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Human Services, Education, Psychology, Behavioral Health, or a related field.
- Certified Prevention Specialist, CPS-II, CPS Supervisor, or higher-level prevention credential.
- Experience working with Tribal communities, Pueblo communities, Native American organizations, or Native youth and families.
- Knowledge of, or lived/professional experience with, Native American cultural practices, Pueblo community values, and culturally grounded wellness activities.
- Knowledge of traditional arts, cultural activities, or regalia-making preferred, particularly as connected to youth engagement, identity, wellness, and prevention programming.
- Experience implementing prevention programming using the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Six Prevention Strategies.
- Knowledge of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse prevention models, experiential education, youth leadership, and resiliency-based programming.
- Experience with grant-funded programs, data collection, reporting, and scope-of-work deliverables.
- Familiarity with New Mexico behavioral health systems, local schools, Tribal programs, and community resources.
- Experience facilitating youth groups, community trainings, workshops, presentations, or wellness activities.
- Strong documentation, organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
- Ability to speak or understand a Pueblo language or another Native language preferred but not required.
- CPR, First Aid, and AED certification, or willingness to obtain within 60 days of hire.
Company Description
Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. (FSIP) is one of New Mexico’s oldest Native American nonprofit organizations, serving the Cochiti, Jemez, Sandia, Santa Ana, and Zia Pueblo communities and surrounding areas with culturally grounded programs in employment and training, food distribution, early childhood education, WIC nutrition support, and behavioral health services. FSIP is committed to strengthening community well-being by honoring tribal sovereignty, traditional culture, and collaborative partnerships while delivering essential services that empower individuals and families.