Position Title: Community Organizer – Prevention & Coalition Engagement
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Organization: The Youth Connection
Reports To: Director of Community Outreach / PSUPS Director (2 positions open)
Date Written/Revised: September 2026
Salary: $40,000 – $42,500 + Benefits
Type: Full-Time | FLSA Status: Exempt
Make a Real Impact in Your Community:
Are you passionate about empowering youth and creating real change in your community?
POSITION SUMMARY
The Community Organizer helps move coalition activities from planning to action by recruiting and engaging members, coordinating prevention activities and campaigns, supporting youth and parent leadership, collecting required data and documentation, and assisting with implementation of DFC and PSUPS grant work plans.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Coalition & Community Engagement:
- Recruit, engage, and retain youth, parents, residents, and community partners in coalition and prevention activities. Build and maintain relationships with key community sectors.
- Conduct outreach within targeted Detroit neighborhoods and ZIP codes to increase resident awareness and participation.
- Attend community meetings, school events, neighborhood activities, resource fairs, and other events to represent The Youth Connection and its prevention initiatives.
- Assist with coalition meetings, workgroups, community forums, listening sessions, and other engagement activities.
- Develop relationships with individuals and organizations that may not traditionally participate in substance use prevention efforts.
Prevention Strategies & Community-Level Change:
- Assist with implementation of DFC and PSUPS goals, objectives, strategies, activities, and required deliverables.
- Support community-level environmental prevention strategies addressing alcohol, marijuana/cannabis, tobacco/vaping, prescription drugs, opioids, and other emerging substance use concerns.
- Help organize and implement prevention campaigns, community education activities, Red Ribbon Week, DEA Drug Take Back activities, medication safety initiatives, and other coalition-sponsored activities.
- Work with coalition members to identify community conditions that contribute to youth substance use and develop appropriate prevention responses.
- Support strategies designed to change community norms, practices, policies, access, and other environmental factors associated with youth substance use.
REQUIRED JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and comfortably in Detroit neighborhoods and community settings.
- Ability to establish authentic, respectful relationships with youth, parents, residents, community leaders, and organizational partners.
- Knowledge of or interest in substance use prevention, public health, community organizing, coalition development, or youth development.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to facilitate meetings, small groups, community discussions, and presentations.
- Strong organizational and follow-through skills.
- Ability to manage multiple activities, deadlines, and community commitments.
- Ability to work independently in the community while functioning effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and complete required documentation in a timely manner.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Ability to learn grant-specific data collection and reporting systems.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in community development, public health, social work, psychology, sociology, education, communications, human services, or a related field preferred.
- Relevant community organizing, prevention, youth development, or community engagement experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Experience:
- Minimum of one year of experience working with community-based organizations, youth-serving organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, coalitions, public health programs, civic organizations, or similar community initiatives preferred.
- Experience working with youth and families strongly preferred.
- Experience with substance use prevention, coalition development, community organizing, or grant-funded programs is preferred.
- Knowledge of Detroit neighborhoods, organizations, institutions, and community culture is highly desirable.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Must be willing and able to work regularly in Detroit neighborhoods and community-based settings.
- Work primarily forty (40) weekday hours, including occasional evenings and weekends for coalition meetings, community events, and outreach activities.
- Must have reliable transportation, auto insurance and be able to travel throughout Detroit and Wayne County as required.
- Valid unrestricted Michigan Driver’s License required.
- Local and occasional out-of-state travel for meetings, conferences, and training may be required.
- Must meet all organizational requirements for working with youth and community partners.
EXPECTED SALARY:
Salary Range: $40,000 - $42,500 annually, commensurate with education and experience.
Ready to Apply?
If you're ready to make a difference and grow your career, we want you to apply!