Education and Prevention Specialist

Title: Education and Prevention Specialist

State Role Title: Education Support Spec II

Hiring Range: Hiring range for this position is $60,952 - $73,142, commensurate with education and experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Location: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Agency Website: cca.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Research and Analysis

• Conduct comprehensive research on cannabis education programs, public health initiatives, and regulatory impacts related to cannabis use.
• Promote best practices in cannabis education and share insights from research to improve program implementation.
• Stay up to date with trends and innovations in cannabis education, training, and policy, including best practices from other regulatory bodies.
• Assist in drafting recommendations for new policies and regulatory updates that align with the Authority’s strategic goals.

Resources, Programs, and Initiatives

• Support the creation and revision of a variety of educational resources for the public and other stakeholders.
• Develop and implement cannabis public health initiatives based on research, best practices, and stakeholder need.
• Manage contractors and resources involved in educational campaign implementation.
• Review and assess the impact of cannabis-related educational initiatives and propose improvements to enhance accessibility and understanding.

Engagement and Communication

• Collaborate with other government agencies, educational institutions, public health organizations, and community groups to foster effective cannabis education.
• Represent the CCA on statewide work groups focused on substance misuse prevention.
• Assist in developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders to ensure the alignment of education strategies with community needs and regulatory objectives.
• Provide presentations to stakeholder groups and station exhibit tables for resource distribution.
• Present findings and reports to senior leadership and stakeholders in a clear and actionable manner.

Program Evaluation and Reporting

• Develop frameworks to assess the effectiveness of cannabis education programs and initiatives, including identifying gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare regular reports that detail the outcomes of educational efforts and the impact on public understanding and safety.
• Provide recommendations based on research findings to improve public engagement and educational outreach strategies.

Minimum Qualifications

    • Experience developing operational plans and policies.
    • Experience conducting comprehensive research on education programs, public health initiatives, and regulatory impacts.
    • Ability to assist in drafting new policies and regulatory updates that align with the Authority’s strategic goals.
    • Ability to develop and implement cannabis public health initiatives based on research, best practices, and stakeholder need.
    • Ability to review and assess the impact of cannabis-related educational initiatives and propose improvements to enhance accessibility        and understanding.
    • Ability to collaborate with other government agencies, educational institutions, public health organizations, and community groups to          foster effective cannabis education.
    • Experience developing frameworks to assess the effectiveness of education programs and initiatives, including identifying gaps,                challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
    • The ability to prepare regular reports that detail the outcomes of educational efforts and the impact on public understanding and                safety.
    • Ability to provide recommendations based on research findings to improve public engagement and educational outreach strategies.

Required Experience

    • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

    • Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders

    • Experience in evaluating program effectiveness and making data-driven recommendations for improvement

    • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: VCCA Recruitment Team

Phone: 804-653-9735

Email: recruitment@cca.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.