Outreach & Engagement Specialist

Description

The Outreach & Engagement Specialist is responsible for promoting a recovery based approach to care with an emphasis on respect, self-direction, and empowerment by providing peer support, personal assistance, education on community resources, and other supportive services, for individuals with a substance use disorder. In addition, the Outreach & Engagement Specialist is responsible for managing the center’s social media accounts and marketing, as well as outreach efforts to current and prospective members and the community at large. The Outreach & Engagement Specialist reports to the Program Director for support and supervision.

Location: The Jamaica Plain Recovery Center is a ‘recovery-oriented sanctuary anchored in the heart of the community,’ delivering peer-to-peer recovery support services, and providing a safe, supportive, healing space for individuals in recovery using a volunteer/member base, guided by peer staff, to deliver services and provide multiple pathways to recovery.

Essential Functions:

• Along with the Program Manager, conducts outreach to members of the Peer Recovery Support Center and the community to ensure that programming is accessible, readily available and that materials are widely distributed.
• Uses their expertise and experience to assist with outreach and member recruitment.
• Maintain the center’s social media profile.
• Create and distribute marketing materials to the community.
• Manages relationships with community-based recovery providers, such as residential providers, groups/meetings in the community, IOPs, and community centers to help recruit members and support members in the community.
• Provides members with strength-based peer support, recovery planning, recovery capital and pathway exploration.
• Provides support in overcoming barriers and navigating the recovery system, as well as the greater recovery community.
• Collaborates and partners with community organizations, leaders and local treatment and recovery support service providers, coalitions and task forces, career centers and/or employment/housing organizations and criminal justice departments to promote the availability of the center, represent the recovery community, advocate for recovery, and ensure linkages to resources, supports, programs and services that benefit and address life needs of the membership.
• Runs groups and activities for members, as well as assists in the development of programming and services.
• Provides appropriate referrals to care, connection and other services that members may be interested in.
• Works in collaboration with staff to implement person-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed care.
• Enforces all policies and procedures of Victory Programs, Inc.
• Works collaboratively with all staff to provide individualized services to all clients.
• Attends supervision with the Program Director. 
• Provides milieu coverage.
• Act in accordance with Victory Programs Standards of Excellence & Philosophy Care, including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries, and client confidentiality, and working from a strength-based perspective.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Represents the program(s) in the community and to designated funders, as requested by supervisor.
• Participates and supports the agency in program holiday events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, HIV/AIDS rally and walk, and any additional functions.
• Attends weekly staff meetings, trainings, seminars, workshops and rallies as requested by supervisor.
• Performs other duties or tasks that may be requested by a Supervisor or other designated personnel.

Required Qualifications:

The successful candidate is someone who has accepted their substance use history, has learned to live with and manage the daily challenges of recovery, and has attained a level of personal growth and healing that gives them the understanding, insight and motivation to help others.

• High school or equivalent .
• Must demonstrate an understanding and belief in the recovery process and Recovery Oriented Systems of Care model.
• Completion of Recovery Coach Academy and Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaching trainings required (May be completed within 6 months of hire)
• Proficient computer skills, including Google Suite and Microsoft Word.
• Current TB assessment (may be obtained upon hire)
• CPR certification (may be obtained upon hire)
• Three strong work-related references; 2 from a supervisor or manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated understanding of the multiple pathways approach to recovery from SUD and willingness to embrace a patient-centered, patient-driven approach that recognizes an individual’s preferences and autonomy.
• Strong advocacy skills along with knowledge of community-based services, resources, and local recovery communities.
• Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) certification.
• Excellent working relationships that demonstrate effective boundaries with patients/families and staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Bilingual - proficiency in Spanish.

Position Type: Full-time (40 hours) Tuesday - Saturday 12pm-8pm. On site

Rate: $26.00/hr

Victory Programs values a diverse workforce, as we collectively seek to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our employees and the people we serve. We strive to sustain healthy, functioning communities that respect and celebrate different experiences, identities, cultures and ideas.

Victory Programs has helped individuals and families in crisis for over 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Most struggle with homelessness, substance use and mental health, and many live with HIV/AIDS. Our team of more than 300 staff across over 30+ programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges our clients face.

Our benefit program includes a 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution, 100% employer paid disability and life insurance. Victory Programs offers a generous paid time off package to all employees including vacation, sick, and personal time as well as holidays. Upon hire, all staff are entitled to up to: 4 personal days, 160 sick hours, 10 holidays and 3 1/2 weeks of vacation. These figures adjust based on full time or part time status and allocated vacation time increases with length of employment.