The Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support (PLCS) at Southern Westchester BOCES is seeking a dynamic Resource Specialist – Youth Decision-Making Initiative to lead the development and implementation of a regional initiative designed to strengthen young people’s ability to recognize in?uences, evaluate choices, consider consequences, and make healthy decisions. Grounded in evidence-based prevention practices and the science of decision-making, the initiative addresses youth vaping, e-cigarette, and tobacco prevention education while building transferable skills that help students navigate complex personal, social, and health-related decisions. The Resource Specialist will leverage existing evidence-based, open-source curriculum and resources to develop learning experiences, provide professional learning and coaching for teachers of grades 3–12, and support sustainable implementation across participating districts. The initiative includes two interconnected areas of focus. Students in grades 3–8 will engage in standards-aligned learning experiences that build critical thinking, re?ection, problem-solving, media literacy, and decision-making skills related to recognizing in?uences, evaluating choices, and making healthy decisions. High school students will apply decision science principles through the creation of student-developed ?lms, public service announcements (PSAs), and digital media projects that promote prevention education and peer-to-peer learning.

PRIMARY PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, adapt, and implement evidence-based curriculum and resources focused on youth decision-making, vaping, e-cigarette, and tobacco prevention education.
• Design and facilitate high-quality professional learning for teachers of grades 3–12 using in-person, virtual, hybrid, and job-embedded coaching models.
• Support educators in integrating decision science, prevention education, media literacy, and healthy decision-making practices into existing curriculum and classroom experiences.
• Provide coaching, consultation, and implementation support to educators and school teams.
• Develop and facilitate student learning experiences that strengthen critical thinking, reasoning, self-awareness, and informed decision-making.
• Coordinate opportunities for high school students to create ?lms, PSAs, and digital media resources that promote prevention education messages and peer-to-peer learning.
• Conduct needs assessments and uses data to inform professional learning, implementation strategies, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a regional resource on current research, emerging trends, and evidence-based practices related to youth prevention education, decision-making, and student learning.
• Curate, create, and disseminate resources and exemplary practices for participating districts.
• Build collaborative relationships with school leaders, educators, community organizations, and regional partners.
• Collect and analyze participation, feedback, and implementation data to evaluate effectiveness and inform program improvement.
• Participate in regional and statewide professional networks related to youth prevention education, health education, decision-making, and student development.
• Center culturally responsive and equitable practices throughout program development and implementation.
• Support required documentation, reporting, and communication of program outcomes.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director or Assistant Director of the Center for Professional Learning & Curriculum Support.