Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist jobs in Schenectady, NY

Job Title: Community Outreach Navigator

Program: Schoharie County Council on Alcoholism and Substance abuse, Inc.

FLSA Status: Full-Time/ non-exempt

Updated: March 2024

Hourly Rate: $17.85/Hr

SCCASA Mission Statement:

SCCASA’s mission is to educate, through outreach and school-based education, on the harms of alcohol and other substance use. In addition, we provide advocacy and pathways to recovery for those in our community who battle with substance use disorder.

Position Description: This grant-funded position will work specifically with youth, young adults, and their families/support systems to provide assistance for loved ones living with alcohol and substance use disorder. This position will be responsible for engaging students, families, and/or friends of people affected by substance use in community settings. These settings are but not limited to, schools, county agencies, libraries, medical clinics, community centers, and other community-based settings. This Community Outreach Coordinator will help assist those folks affected by substance use to educate, to navigate barriers, to connect to appropriate services, and provide other ways of support. These services are intended to contribute to the rate of youth and young people affected by family members living with substance use disorder and provide another educational resource. Service delivery is designed to be flexible and individualized and is focused on identifying community supports to increase function, knowledge, and finding support. The position may require some weekends and evenings and the ability to travel independently through the community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Creatively provides trainings, technical assistance, and workforce development for providers, community coalitions and Schoharie County young people and their families related to Substance Abuse and Mental Health topics.
• Works within the framework of SCCASA to implement information dissemination, substance abuse prevention evidence-based programs or other promising practices.
• Establishes both formal and informal alliances with organizations which have similar or allied goals, such as School Boards, local law enforcement, health care providers, community centers, and other human service providers.
• Provide advocacy, outreach, and engagement of families and students in forming a supportive, prevention network.
• Complete required documentation and data entry in a clear, accurate, and timely fashion.
• Initiate and maintain contact with assigned individuals and providers to determine client’s response to services (e.g. telephonic, community and home-based outreach).
• Provide transitional supports and self-help tools to assist individuals and their families as they move toward care and recovery. Partner effectively with school and hospital social work department and other staff to insure effective hand offs.
• Represents SCCASA at health fairs, colleges, conferences, and other special interest group functions to promote the services of the Peer Engagement Specialist and Family Support Navigator.
• Develop support groups not currently offered in the community.
• Network with other agencies, groups, and organizations within the alcoholism/substance abuse and human services fields.

Qualifications:

• Work experience/education in the prevention, intervention and or treatment of ATOD issues is preferred. Creativity, and strong communication and organizational skills are a must.
• Individuals should meet one of the following requirements.
• Minimum of Associates Degree required human services, health, education or related field.
• Four-year degree preferred in human services, health, education or related field.
• Demonstrate the ability to carry out the duties as outlined through work and life experience.
• Willing to be trained in SBIRT, MI, Recovery Coaching, CRPA, and other pertinent trainings for the position as needed.
• Valid driver’s license. Car Insurance. Able/willing to travel, work evenings and weekends.
• Computer knowledge required.
• Familiarity with recovery regarding substance use conditions.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to and respect for the diverse cultural backgrounds and practices of families, volunteers, and other agency staff.
• Ability to satisfactorily complete required background screenings.

Additional Requirements and Operating Principals

All applicants must evidence their attitudes/behaviors as part of the application process: the ability to understand and apply our workplace values in all role.

• Excellence in Confidentiality
• Customer Service and collaboration
• Respect for the confidential nature of certain information you are exposed to in the course of your work performance and employment.
• Integrity, Innovation, community connectedness, diversity, and inclusion

Hours: 35 Hours/ week, some weeknight and weekends availability.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: From $17.85 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Patient demographics:

• Adults
• Children

Schedule:

• Day shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Cobleskill, NY (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Cobleskill, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person