Primary Prevention Specialist

Position:  Primary Prevention Specialist  

Department: Community Outreach & Services (COS) 

Status: Full-time, non-exempt 

Hours: Monday–Friday | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Occasional nights and weekends 

Compensation: $33.00 per hour  

Reports To: Community Services Supervisor  

About Us

St. Mary’s Center is a community of hope, healing, and justice dedicated to serving older adults, preschool families, and individuals experiencing homelessness in Oakland and the surrounding Alameda County community. St. Mary’s Center operates transitional housing, a senior center, and preschool and is developing permanent supportive housing as part of a comprehensive, collaborative community development strategy along the San Pablo Avenue corridor. We are proud of an excellent multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality services through which St. Mary’s supports vulnerable populations in aging safely, independently, and with dignity. 

Community Services Program Overview 

The Community Outreach & Services (COS) Department helps seniors remain safely housed and socially connected while reducing isolation, improving wellness, and promoting access to community-based supports. COS programming includes congregate meals, wellness activities, fall prevention, computer education, health navigation, case management support, behavioral health education, and Friendly Visiting services. 

Position Summary 

The Primary Prevention Specialist is responsible for coordinating and implementing prevention, wellness, and injury prevention programming for older adults. The position provides education, outreach, group facilitation, wellness coaching, referral support, and community engagement activities designed to reduce substance misuse, falls, social isolation, and preventable health risks among seniors. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

Prevention Education & Wellness Programming 

• Facilitate prevention and wellness curricula including Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE), Ash Kickers Smoking Cessation, WeConnect technology literacy programming, and Harm Reduction for Seniors classes. 

• Conduct workshops on healthy aging, substance misuse prevention, medication safety, overdose awareness, fall prevention, stress management, and chronic disease self-management. 

• Facilitate culturally responsive wellness discussions, storytelling groups, and peer support activities. 

• Assist participants in accessing virtual wellness and telehealth opportunities. 

Harm Reduction & Injury Prevention 

• Utilize harm reduction principles by meeting participants where they are in a respectful, non-judgmental, and person-centered manner. 

• Use evidence-based programming to educate older adults on safer substance use practices, medication interactions, overdose prevention, mobility safety, hydration, nutrition, and injury prevention. 

• Support participants in identifying personal wellness goals and reducing behaviors that increase health and safety risks. 

Outreach & Community Engagement 

• Conduct outreach to older adults throughout Alameda County. 

• Build and maintain partnerships with senior centers, housing programs, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, Meals on Wheels, social workers, and community-based organizations. 

• Participate in health fairs, wellness events, presentations, and outreach activities. 

• Provide referrals and linkage to healthcare, behavioral health, nutrition, and social services. 

Medi-Cal Administrative Activities (MAA/CMAA) 

• Conduct Medi-Cal outreach and education activities. 

• Assist participants in accessing medically necessary services. 

• Coordinate communication between providers, social services, and caregivers. 

• Maintain accurate documentation and reporting aligned with county and state requirements for eligible MAA/CMAA activities. 

• Participate in data collection and service tracking activities that support reimbursement and reporting efforts. 

Program Operations 

• Promote COS programs through outreach events, presentations, and community engagement activities. 

• Assist with congregate meal services, workshops, and cultural programming. 

• Participate in emergency preparedness and emergency response activities. 

• Collect participant feedback and support program evaluation efforts. 

Qualifications 

• Associates degree in Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Gerontology, Health Education, or related a field preferred. 

• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with older adults, vulnerable populations, prevention programming, behavioral health, or community-based services preferred. 

• Strong understanding of harm reduction principles, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive engagement preferred. 

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, facilitation, and communication skills. 

• Bilingual English/Cantonese, English/Mandarin, Spanish, or Tagalog a plus. 

• California Driver’s License. 

Work Environment 

This position operates in community-based settings including senior centers, participant homes, housing sites, community centers, wellness classrooms, and partner organizations throughout Alameda County. 

General Staff Expectations 

• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. 

• Support the mission and values of St. Mary’s Center. 

• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality. 

• Follow agency policies and procedures. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  In general, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is expected to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.   

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and communicate effectively throughout the workday. 

• Ability to travel to participant homes, community sites, and outreach events. 

• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

• Ability to use computers, phones, tablets, and related technology for documentation and communication. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

St. Mary’s Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active Equal Employment Opportunity. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.  

In compliance with the California Fair Chance Act, St. Mary’s Center will consider qualified applicant with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act.