Metro Drug Coalition 

Youth Initiatives Coordinator

The Metro Drug Coalition is a non-profit organization that serves as the drug misuse prevention, professional training and public awareness arm of Knoxville and Knox County.

Mission: Improve the health of the greater Knoxville community by reducing the use/misuse of alcohol and other substances through prevention, harm reduction, and recovery support.

Vision: A healthy and safe community, free of substance misuse.

As a staff member of Metro Drug Coalition (MDC), the Youth Initiatives Coordinator is expected to become familiar with MDC’s programs and services and remain committed to MDC’s mission of reducing youth substance misuse in our community. Due to the nature of this position, the Youth Initiatives Coordinator must be a positive role model.

Youth initiatives involves working with young people in Knox County who may be at higher risk for developing substance use disorders, those who may have a personal connection to addiction, or those who are passionate about substance prevention and mental health. MDC has a desire to create change around substance misuse and mental health issues. By creating open dialogue, youth can freely discuss challenges they or their peers may be facing. Teaching youth to identify, understand, and respond appropriately to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders among their peers can create opportunities for positive peer engagement and healthy interactions.

Primary Duties:

  • Establish and maintain community partnerships with youth-serving organizations.
  • Recruit adult volunteers to assist with youth-related programming and events.
  • Provide organization and coordination of all YMDC (Youth Metro Drug Coalition) activities.
  • Maintain awareness of evidence-based practices and youth-focused curriculums and update programming accordingly.
  • Coordinate training and service opportunities for targeted at-risk youth.
  • Develop and maintain mechanisms to gather data for grant reporting purposes.
  • Provide substance misuse prevention education to elementary, middle, and high school students.
  • Provide community presentations on youth substance misuse.
  • Provide supplemental classroom drug education materials and presentations to middle and high school teachers.
  • Actively participate in MDC’s Community Coalition as the Youth Initiatives Chair or elsewhere, as needed.
  • Track efforts to ensure project goals, objectives, activities, and evaluations are successfully completed in a timely manner.
  • Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor certification must be completed within six months of employment.
  • First Aid and CPR certification must be obtained within six months of employment.
  • Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credential must be completed within the first year of employment.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Director of Primary Prevention Services and the Executive Director.

Skills and Knowledge Requirements:

  • Excellent communication, organization, and decision-making skills.
  • Comfortable presenting to large groups of youth and/or adults.
  • Great time management skills and the ability to manage numerous projects.
  • Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with a diverse group of youth.
  • Comfortable developing relationships with community partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in health education, public health, social work, psychology, child and family studies, or related field.
  • Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with youth and/or after school programming preferred.
  • Non-profit experience preferred.
  • Must enjoy working with youth and be passionate about youth substance use prevention.
  • Must be willing to work a flexible schedule (some evenings/weekends expected).
  • Must have strong presentation, written, and verbal communications skills.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office software.
  • Able to work both independently and as a team and have the ability to collaborate with diverse community stakeholders.
  • Must possess a valid Tennessee Driver’s license and have reliable transportation with the ability to produce evidence of auto insurance coverage.

Compensation:

The salary range for the Youth Initiatives Coordinator is $35,000 – $40,000. This is a full-time position with benefits.

The MDC is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free/tobacco-free workplace. A background check will be required as a condition of employment.

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to Misty McPhetridge at mmcphetridge@metrodrug.org by July 14, 2023. No phone calls please.