Community Outreach Specialist - St. Clair County, IL

Who is Alpharus Health?

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider dedicated to helping people build healthier lives. For nearly 60 years, we have provided substance use and mental health treatment that helps individuals, families, and communities find healing, hope, and lasting wellbeing. Our mission is simple: We help people build healthier lives. By combining clinical expertise with a person-centered approach, we help people build the skills, resilience, and support systems needed to create meaningful, lasting change.

Why join us?

Discover a rewarding career where you can find both personal and professional fulfillment while aligning your values with your work. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by aiding individuals in overcoming addiction. We pride ourselves on being an organization that values you and strives to be an employer of choice, fostering a vibrant culture that promotes teamwork and professional growth. Your voice matters here; we actively listen to and value our employees' thoughts, allowing you to be part of organizational decisions. Join Alpharus Health today and become part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Under direct supervision, provides support and access to resources through the Community Outreach and Recovery Support (CORS) Program for homeless and housing insecure individuals in the St. Clair community.

Community Outreach Specialist are responsible for:

- Identifies appropriate opportunities to eliminate barriers to resources; facilitates motivational conversations with individuals.

- Peer Support Workers (PSW) or Persons with Lived Experience (PLE) must connect people with OUD/SUDs to services that reduce the risk of an overdose and increase recovery capital, such as organizations that offer harm reduction, housing, treatment, and recovery support services.

- Assists team in maintaining consistent setting for treatment, planning, and coordinating outreach interaction events.

- Monitoring individuals’ behavior and reporting observations, incidents or unusual occurrences; contributes to decisions regarding case management plans.

- Maintain accurate and legible documentation for all interventions, including overdose prevention activities consistent with company policy.

- Drives Gateway vehicle to transport patients in Gateway treatment programs or those interested in treatment-to-treatment appointments.

- Is responsible for vehicle cleanliness, organization, stocking safety supplies, and performing daily safety inspection at the beginning, during, and end of shift.

- Responsible for communicating all safety concerns with Community Outreach Manager and team in a timely manner.

- Adhere to proper safety gear and guideline requirements.

Job Requirements:

- High School Diploma or GED required.

- Valid local driver’s license, good driving record and must be at least 21 years of age to transport clients.

- Experience as a Peer Support Worker (PSW) or Person with Lived Experience (PLE); CRSS certification and/or experience with street outreach a plus.

- Familiarity with the social, cultural, and economic make-up of the Metro East region; ability and willingness to work with diverse populations.

- Possess the mental resolve to deal with complex, highly emotional and/or stressful situations.

- Basic knowledge of physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning level of the community population

- Basic knowledge of substance use and mental health services, including harm reduction, as well as the Social Determinants of Health.

Physical Requirements:

- Ability to walk or move about the community or facilities to perform outreach activities with the identified population.

- Ability to professionally communicate with the community in order to exchange information and provide support.

- Ability to utilize trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches.

- Ability to engage and connect with individuals from historically disenfranchised communities/groups and provide strong patient advocacy skills.

- Ability to train and administer basic first aid treatment.

- Ability to proofread and check documents and files for accuracy on a regular basis.

- Ability to respond to telephones and pages, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.

- Ability to drive an automobile or van and remain alert to traffic conditions, and to identify and comply with traffic signals and signs.

Work Environment:

- Works in the field doing direct outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity (including: encampments, public transit hubs, homeless shelters, day labor sites, food pantries, etc)

- May be exposed to working in high-risk, low resource communities with individuals who are vulnerable for homelessness and substance use, comfort ability in such environments is essential.

- Occasional exposure to contagious diseases, but potential for harm is limited if established safety and infection control precautions are followed.

- May be exposed to inclement weather when working or traveling to various locations. Some exposure to hazards when driving, but potential for harm is limited if safe vehicle operation procedures are followed.

- Schedule may vary depending on population needs and may include some evening hours.

Benefits at Alpharus Health:

Health and Wellness:

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents

- Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums

- Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial wellbeing:

- 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match

- Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus

- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care

- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexibility and time off:

- 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service

- 9 paid company holidays

- Work-life-balance

Personal Development:

- Training & Development Programs

- Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year

- eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training

- Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Alpharus Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here .