Program Specialist

This position is within FYSB’s Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) Program.

The selected individual will serve as a Program Specialist supporting APP, will report to the APP Program Manager, work with grantees, APP team members, youth-serving professionals and organizations, the Department, and the general public.

Grants are awarded to public and private entities to promote state, local, and tribal efforts to prevent adolescent pregnancy, HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through evidence-based or informed efforts and normalizes the optimal health behavior of avoiding non-marital sexual activity in schools, entities that provide after-school programs, and community and faith-based organizations.

FYSB’s Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) Program supports Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) efforts to reduce adolescent pregnancy using age appropriate, evidence-based models and interventions (EBIs) that stress the importance of abstinence and the use of contraception while providing complete, medically accurate, and age-appropriate information to youth.

The APP Program also supports Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Programs that provide education to youth ages 10 to 19 that normalizes the optimal health behavior of avoiding non-marital sexual activity and teaches the benefits associated with self-regulation, success sequencing for poverty prevention, healthy relationships, goal setting, and resisting sexual coercion, dating violence, and other youth risk behaviors like underage drinking or illicit drug use, without normalizing sexual activity among youth.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Provides guidance and technical assistance in concert with the technical assistance contractor to APP grantees that are replicating evidence-based interventions (EBIs) or designing innovative models, implementing curricula that support normalizing the optimal health behavior of avoiding non-marital sexual activity, and conducting implementation evaluation as required under provision of the allocated Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs).
Supports the award of new grants by participating in grant reviews, developing pre
– and post-award documentation, and serves as the point of contact, coordinator, and advisor to assigned grantees to ensure proper interpretation and implementation of FOA requirements, HHS/ACF policy provisions, legislation, and other requirements; monitors adolescent pregnancy prevention grantees located across the nation.
Drafts communications including speeches, talking points for senior leadership, reports, briefing papers, PowerPoint presentations, and memoranda.
Leads strategic partnerships in concert with internal work groups to coordinate sexual risk avoidance educational research and practical application of education and training.
Cultivates external relationships with non-profits and foundations.
Works with contractors and expert consultants to develop models aimed to support the expansion of SRAE and PREP focused initiatives and projects.
Works collaboratively with teams to develop work products using interpersonal skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relations with APP, FYSB, ACF and other partner organization staff.
Works with internal and external entities to leverage opportunities to bring awareness to teen pregnancy prevention initiatives and data made available through the APP Program.
Required Skills
Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
Ability to draft senior level communications for mass distribution
Ability to use independent initiative, good judgment, and decision-making skills when setting priorities
Ability to transfer knowledge of federal laws, regulations, and policy to the administration of grants and cooperative agreements
Ability to prioritize competing tasks and perform them quickly and efficiently
Ability to influence decisions through the presentation of information gathered through research or data analysis
Experience working in a high paced, rapidly changing environment
Ability to analyze and conduct research independently
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote)
Required Education and Experience
Master’s Degree preferred in Sociology, Social Work, Industrial Psychology, Public Health, or equivalent experience
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), preferred but not required
Minimum of 3-5 years managing tasks in the Public Health Sector, similar to Project Management
5-7 years of relevant work experience, preferably with the federal government
Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $85,000.00
– $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance
Schedule:
Day shift
Supplemental Pay:
Signing bonus
COVID-19 considerations:
All employees are required to have their COVID-19 vaccines, in accordance with federal requirements.

Education:
Master’s (Preferred)
Experience:
Public Health (i.e.

HHS or NIH): 5 years (Required)
Microsoft Office: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
CHES
– Certified Health Education Specialist (Preferred)
Work Location: One location