Communication Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Secondary School, Seminars, Social Work, Student Services, Substance Abuse, Substance Abuse Treatment, Team Player
POSITION TITLE (Oracle title)
COUNSELOR
WORKING TITLE
Substance Use Prevention Specialist
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT
School Counseling
LOCATION
Crossroad II, Cary, NC
PAY GRADE
School Counselor/Social Worker salary scale
FLSA STATUS
Exempt
ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
Yes
WORK WEEK SCHEDULE
Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends) Position is available for a Hybrid Telework workweek
POSITION PURPOSE:
Under limited supervision, performs a variety of substance abuse prevention in elementary, middle, and/or high schools. Assists in developing, implementing, and facilitating quality substance abuse prevention programs for students. Collaborates with school personnel, other support staff, parents, students, and various community agencies to deliver effective substance use prevention education and tobacco cessation services to students and staff. Performs other duties in student services and monitors prevention and intervention services in the elementary, middle, and/or high schools. Performs special projects, as needed. The position and grant are scheduled to end at the completion of the 2030-2031 school year.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Comprehensiveknowledgeofsubstanceuseprevention and intervention programs;
- Comprehensiveknowledgeofcurrentlocal,state,national,andglobaltrendsinsubstanceusepreventionand intervention;
- Considerableknowledgeofprogramevaluationtosupportcontinuousimprovement;
- ConsiderableknowledgeofMicrosoftOffice,specificallyWord,Excel,andPowerPoint;GoogleApps;
- Effectiveskillsincreatingandmanagingeffectivepresentations,includingthecapabilitytouserelevanttechnology;
- Effectivecrisisresponseskills;
- Effectivestrategicplanningskillsand experiencesupportingsystem-level improvement;
- Effectivetimemanagement andorganizationalskills;
- Strategic problem-solving skills;
- Ability to facilitate effective meetings;
- Ability to support a collaborative working environment;
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, students, parents, community groups, vendors, external agencies, and the public.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’sdegreeinsocialwork,HumanServices,HealthEducation,orarelatedfield;
- Fiveyearsofsuccessfulexperienceworkingwithadultsand/oradolescentsonsubstanceabuseeducation, prevention, and intervention issues; OR
- Anyequivalentcombinationoftrainingandexperiencewhichprovidestherequiredknowledge,skills,andabilities.
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- HoldorbequalifiedtoholdaNorthCarolinaProfessionalEducator’sLicenseforschoolsocialwork,school
counseling,orrelatedarea;
- Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of NC requirements.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’sdegreeinsocialwork,counseling,education,orarelatedfield.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assistselementary,middle,and/orhighschooladministrators,schoolsupportstaff,andotherschoolpersonnelin developing, implementing, and evaluating substance abuse prevention services.
- Collaborates with schools and departments to discuss issues related to substance abuse prevention services in the schools.
- Provides consultation to school personnel on identification and intervention strategies for students identified as having substance abuse problems.
- Providesservicestohigh-riskstudentsinthealternativeandotherspecialschoolsonanasneededbasis.
- Providessubstanceabusepreventioneducationclassesintheschools.
- Providestobaccocessationservicestostudentsand staff,asneeded.
- Interveneswithstudentsandfamiliestocoordinatesubstanceabuseservices,asneeded.
- Consultswithcommunityagenciesinprovidingoutsideservicestoschools.
- Maintainsrecordsandprovidesreportsofservicesrendered.
- Providessubstanceabusepreventionworkshopsforschools,parents,andthecommunity.
- Reviewsvariouspublicationsandattendsworkshops, seminars,etc.tocontinuously upgradeprofessional knowledge.
- Performsotherrelatedduties,asassigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, students, parents, external agencies, and the community. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force. The work requires driving automotive equipment.
EFFECTIVE DATE:9/2025
DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.
W
Wake County Public School System