Grants Pass public safety levy passes easily
By Troy Shinn of the Daily Courier

With all 13 precincts reporting, the unofficial election results are in. The Grants Pass supplemental public safety levy — the lone item up for vote on the November ballot — has overwhelmingly passed.
Local officials say this acts as a vote of confidence by Grants Pass residents in the work of the Department of Public Safety.
The levy received 5,623 votes in favor (71 percent) and 2,292 votes against (29 percent).
Look for a full story in today's edition of the Daily Courier and online at thedailycourier.com.

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​UPDATE: We are almost there! $6500 left to match AllCare Health's match pledge of $42,000.  Thank you to all who have donated to this campaign! 

Position Title:  Prevention Educator
 
Hours:             40 Hrs a week Mon-Fri with occasional evenings or weekends
Supervisor:       Prevention Program Coordinator
Wage:             DOE + Benefits (Health, PTO, Life Insurance) Exempt position
 
Position Summary: This position works primarily with young men and women in area high schools. The focus is men's engagement in violence prevention, mentorship of young men, and promotion of prevention strategies that encourage young men to take an active role in preventing violence. The Prevention Educator will be part of our Prevention Team whose primary duties will be the development, enhancement, and delivery of prevention curricula to area youth and promotion of community building strategies to suppress intimate partner violence. As a member of the Prevention Team, the Prevention Educator will also be responsible for organizing community outreach events in support of the WCST, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Finally, the member will assist in WCST volunteer outreach, public speaking engagements, development and maintenance of community partnerships, and trainings.
 
Essential Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):

• Along with the Prevention Coordinator, will develop violence prevention and community building curriculum, deliver the curriculum to student groups, community groups and youth service programs, and mentor area youth as they experiment with violence prevention tools given to them in the groups
• Engage in community awareness activities regarding violence prevention, particularly gender based violence. As a member of the Prevention Team, the Prevention Educator will take a lead role in organizing community outreach activities for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (OCT) and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (APR)
• Schedule and conduct speaking engagements with community partners, social clubs and organizations, and faith based organizations regarding the prevention of domestic and sexual violence
• Prepare informational handouts, brochures, and flyers about WCST, domestic violence, sexual assault, and violence prevention, including participation in production of bi-annual WCST newsletter
• In conjunction with the rest of the WCST staff, participate in the WCST 40 hour trainings as presenter, mentor, and resource for volunteers in training. The member will raise awareness of WCST volunteer opportunities when engaged in public speaking and outreach
• Properly track and log all WCST prevention (and school-based intervention) activities and participation statistics. Additionally, the Prevention Educator will assist in development, administration, analysis, interpretation, and promotion of outcomes and results of WCST prevention activities. The Prevention Educator will attend all WCST required trainings and team meetings
• Complete general office duties related to Prevention Team efforts – mailings, filing, and answering phones
• Participate in bi-weekly staff meetings, gatherings, and teambuilding activities
• Professionally represent the WCST at community events, fundraisers, and social activities

Position Requirements:

• Commitment to social justice issues and ending violence, particularly gender based, domestic, and sexual violence
• Excellent group facilitation skills
• Excellent public speaking and community engagement skills
• Experience working with youth
• Cultural competency with regards to rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities
• Excellent record keeping, organization, and planning skills
• 21 years of age or older, at beginning of service term
• U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident
• Possession of high school diploma or equivalent
• Must successfully pass a criminal history background check provided by WCST
• Licensed and insured driver in possession of reliable, personal vehicle for transportation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Some level of post-secondary education
• Knowledge of the dynamics surrounding domestic and sexual violence
• Awareness and understanding of social justice issues
• Experience in youth prevention activities
• Experience in community organizing
• Teaching experience and group facilitation
• Experience working with community based non-profits

Service Conditions:

• The WCST provides a dynamic, supportive, collaborative, and creative working environment where individual talents are celebrated and personal and professional growth is fostered. While much of the Prevention Team activity requires daily work in area schools, the Violence Prevention Educator will have their own workspace in WCST’s public office with access to all the amenities and resources of a corporate office.

Physical/Intellectual Demands

• The member will work closely with other prevention professionals at WCST and within the Josephine County community in order to bring the highest level of violence prevention services to area schools. A significant portion of Prevention Team activities will involve direct service to area youth. The position requires professionalism, strong interpersonal skills, significant communications skills, patience, flexibility, understanding, compassion, empathy, and an understanding of ever evolving youth issues. The work demands significant personal and emotional investment and can be exhaustive. The Prevention Educator will be expected to participate in self-care and debriefing activities used by WCST staff.
• The Prevention Educator will remain relevant to our young clients, conducting research and analysis of current events, current youth culture, use of violence in society, and social and cultural pressures facing youth. Additionally, the Violence Prevention Educator will remain relevant in prevention education by connecting with current research, best practices, and participation in prevention trainings, webinars, and education activities.

 
 
Equipment Used:
The Violence Prevention Educator position will require working knowledge of computer usage including the use of Microsoft Office components, e-mail, and internet technologies. Use of PowerPoint and presentation technologies, including projectors and sound equipment is encouraged.
 
Statement of Confidentiality
Candidate must agree, in writing, to maintain confidentiality of students/survivors and agency at all times.
 
Criminal History Background Check Required  
Candidate must consent to a criminal history background check.
 
Compliance with Policies
Candidate must comply with WCST policies, procedures and safety regulations as communicated in writing and verbally by their supervisor.
 
Other Requirements:
Valid Driver’s License, successful completion of a background investigation, and must be eligible to be an insured driver and have reliable transportation.
 
Safety Considerations: Some travel may be required.
 
 
The Women’s Crisis Support Team strives for a free and open hiring process, and does not discriminate on the basis of cultural affiliation, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, gender, physical ability, national origin, religious or political belief.
 
 
To apply, please visit our website: www.wcstjoco.org to download the application.  Please submit a cover letter, resume and completed application to our mailing address:  
WCST Attn: HR
560-A NE F St. #430
Grants Pass, OR 97526
 
This position is open until filled, initial application review will be July 5, 2017.