State Prevention Coordinator

Job Description

15 PERCENT HAZARDOUS PAY INCLUDED
Under the general supervision of a higher-level officer, the State Prevention Coordinator supports
prevention communication efforts, contributes to statewide prevention messaging, and assists with
the coordination of prevention activities across systems and communities. Offers professional
input on prevention topics, supports the planning and implementation of prevention initiatives, and
participates in prevention-related meetings and forums representing the Territory. This position
promotes consistency, evidence-informed practices, and responsiveness to the needs of children,
families, and communities throughout the Virgin Islands.
Supports statewide communication and messaging related to mental health and substance use
prevention, as well as prevention initiatives implemented at the community and territorial level.

Provides assistance with promoting awareness of prevention strategies, sharing informed
perspectives on prevention trends

Contributes to the development of prevention plans and communication tools while assisting in
identifying prevention needs across the Territory.

Reviews statewide prevention efforts to ensure alignment with established goals, tracks
prevention activities to promote consistency and effectiveness, and identifies successful
prevention programs for implementation or recommendation.

Leads statewide prevention outreach and education activities for the Synar initiative, ensuring
compliance with youth tobacco access laws and effectively managing related information and
public engagement efforts.

Supports the documentation of outcomes from prevention initiatives and assists in highlighting
program contributions to the Territory’s overall prevention goals.

Reviews prevention materials utilized throughout the Territory and compiles prevention
resources for public education and outreach efforts.

Represents the Territory in prevention conferences, meetings, and community forums, sharing
relevant information and maintaining professionalism in all prevention-related engagements.

Prepares written summaries, outreach materials, and prevention-related reports as assigned, and
communicates relevant information to agency leadership and community stakeholders.

Performs other related duties as required.
 Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in public health, behavioral sciences,
social sciences, psychology, counseling, human services, health education, or a related field and
two (2) years of experience in mental health, substance use, or community-based prevention
work.
                                                                     OR
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in public health, behavioral sciences,
social sciences, psychology, counseling, human services, health education, or a related field and
four (4) years of experience in mental health, substance use, or community-based prevention
work, of which two (2) years must be in prevention, health promotion, or related community
outreach.FACTOR 1- KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
Knowledge of theories, current professional practices, and specialized approaches related to
drug, alcohol, and mental illness prevention.
Knowledge of interviewing principles and techniques.
Knowledge of mental health and substance use prevention, including strategies, community-
based practices, risk and protective factors, and evidence-informed approaches.
Knowledge of behavioral health trends, prevention messaging, and effective communication
methods for diverse audiences.
Skill in effective written and oral communication, including delivering engaging presentations.
Skill in applying professional prevention theories and practices.
Skill in recognizing and understanding the socio-cultural and economic factors affecting
disadvantaged and high-risk adolescents.
Skill in coordinating preventive staff and resources.
Ability to convey prevention concepts clearly to professionals, stakeholders, and the public.
Ability to interpret prevention data, understand prevention frameworks, and communicate
confidently and accurately on all prevention topics.
Ability to collaborate across agencies and community systems to support unified prevention
efforts.
Ability to communicate prevention messages effectively to the public, stakeholders, partners,
and leadership through public speaking, media engagement, and community outreach focused on
prevention awareness.
Ability to work harmoniously with professionals in health, social services, education, and
cultural affairs to achieve effective coordination in providing community prevention services.
Ability to interpret prevention trends, behavioral health issues, and the needs of communities.
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain up-to-date knowledge of prevention practices, including current prevention
science, behavioral health trends, and evidence-informed approaches.
Ability to develop and conduct in-service training.

FACTOR 2- SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
Work is supervised by a director or higher-level official. Work is performed independently, with
the expectation to plan and carry out prevention communication activities, manage statewide
prevention messaging, represent the agency at prevention events, and determine the appropriate
approach for prevention-related outreach. Work is reviewed for clarity, accuracy, alignment with
agency prevention goals, and effectiveness in supporting mental health and substance use
prevention efforts.

FACTOR 3- GUIDELINES
Guidelines include established prevention science frameworks, evidence-informed prevention
practices, agency procedures, internal communication standards, and program materials related to
mental health and substance use prevention. The employee uses professional judgment to interpret
and apply these guidelines to prevention messaging, outreach, and coordination activities. When
guidelines do not exist or are insufficient, the employee must adopt prevention communication
practices to meet the needs of the community.

FACTOR 4- COMPLEXITY
Work involves coordinating and communicating multiple prevention initiatives simultaneously,
addressing diverse community concerns, and ensuring that prevention messaging is accurate and
consistent. The role requires independent judgment, analysis of prevention needs, and adapting
communication to various audiences. Must synthesize prevention information from local,
territorial, and national sources and present it in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner.

FACTOR 5- SCOPE AND EFFECT
The purpose of this work is to enhance mental health and substance use prevention in the Virgin
Islands through effective messaging, clear communication, and statewide coordination. These
efforts improve outreach, stakeholder understanding, and public involvement in prevention.

FACTOR 6- PERSONAL CONTACTS
Contacts are agency leadership, government officials, community organizations, educators,
behavioral health providers, youth-serving programs, prevention coalitions, national prevention
partners, and members of the public. Contacts may occur in meetings, community events,
conferences, trainings, or through written and verbal communication.

FACTOR 7- PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
Contacts are made to communicate prevention information, share updates on prevention issues,
promote initiatives, coordinate events, exchange relevant data, ensure consistent understanding of
mental health and substance use prevention across communities and agencies, and represent the
Territory at prevention-related events or speaking engagements.

FACTOR 8- PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is primarily sedentary, involving occasional standing, walking, lifting, and carrying
materials. Occasional travel between districts, community sites, conferences, or participation in
prevention events may be required.

FACTOR 9- WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office setting. Occasional work occurs in community settings such as
schools, meeting spaces, public venues, and conference centers.