About The Position
The Department of Psychiatry at Iowa Health Care is seeking a Community Outreach Specialist to work with the UI Addiction and Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC). This position will be responsible for the development, management, and delivery of training programs for staff and volunteers, while also leading outreach initiatives to engage communities affected by substance use disorders. As an Outreach Specialist, one will rely on specialized practice skills in behavioral health management, social work, or community service and will act as a mediator/liaison to facilitate specific situations requiring management strategies in addiction treatment education. This role supports the organization’s mission to expand access to addiction treatment, reduce stigma, and promote recovery through education, collaboration, and advocacy. Work Environment: Office-based with regular travel to community sites and partner organizations. Occasional evening or weekend work for outreach events and meeting participation. Collaborative, mission-driven team environment.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Education, Health Care or health education field, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- 3–5 years of experience in addiction services, community outreach, or training roles.
- Strong facilitation and public speaking skills.
- Experience developing training curricula and outreach strategies.
- Knowledge of substance use disorders, risk reduction, and recovery models.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of University policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Knowledge of behavioral health resources in Eastern Iowa
Responsibilities
- Design and implement training programs on addiction treatment, overdose prevention, trauma-informed care, and community engagement.
- Facilitate onboarding for new staff and volunteers, ensuring alignment with organizational values and clinical protocols.
- Develop written training materials, including manuals, presentations, and e-learning modules.
- Evaluate training effectiveness and update content based on feedback and emerging best practices.
- Coordinate continuing medical education (CME) credits for presentation events.
- Provide technical assistance to groups creating their own programs/initiatives such as naloxone vending machines, assisting with updating policies/procedures, support teams applying for naloxone to have onsite or to distribute through state programs.
- Maintain and oversee training materials and supplies, including naloxone inventory management.
- Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, schools, faith groups, and local leaders to promote addiction services.
- Organize and lead outreach events, workshops, public education campaigns, and conduct follow-up communications.
- Serve as a liaison between the organization and the community, identifying needs and opportunities for collaboration; serving on committees and coalitions and advise other organizations.
- Coordinate outreach schedules and ensure alignment with program goals.
- Collaborate with program managers to develop outreach strategies that increase service utilization and community impact.
- Track outreach and training metrics; contribute to reports for internal review and external stakeholders.
- Support grant applications and reporting by providing data and success stories.
- Represent the organization at community forums, health fairs, and policy meetings.
- Develop and distribute educational materials on addiction, recovery, and available services.
- Promote stigma reduction and evidence-based approaches to addiction care.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
