Program Coordinator II

Utah State University•Tooele, UT

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Peer Support Outreach Coordinator is the primary field-facing position for USU Extension's Rural Peer Support Internship Program, funded by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) through the Utah Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The program helps rural healthcare and community agencies across seven Utah health districts understand, prepare for, and integrate peer support services, and places funded peer support interns with competitively selected host agencies. This position has two primary functions: (1) conducting outreach and technical assistance to agencies across rural Utah and building the relationships that bring them into the program and keep them engaged through each phase; and (2) developing educational materials that teach agencies what peer support is, what Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) and Family Peer Support Specialists (FPSS) do, and how peer services can be integrated into their operations. The coordinator also schedules and conducts site visits, coordinates the delivery of coaching and education, supports agencies through the internship application process, enrolls peer interns once host agencies are selected, and collects program data. Job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field plus two years of relevant work experience; or a master’s degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required. Related fields include social work, public health, psychology, human services, health education, communication, or a closely related field.
Access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel regularly throughout Utah, including overnight stays

Nice To Haves

Current or previous certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) in Utah.
Lived experience of recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges, personally or as a family member, and comfort drawing on that experience professionally.
Experience in outreach, community engagement, provider relations, or partnership development with healthcare, behavioral health, or community organizations.
Experience developing educational, training, or promotional materials.
Experience living or working in rural or frontier Utah communities.
Working knowledge of Medicaid reimbursement for peer support services.
Experience coordinating or collecting data for grant-funded projects.

Responsibilities

Agency outreach and engagement (primary function). Identifies and proactively reaches out to rural healthcare and community agencies, such as hospitals, primary care clinics, federally qualified health centers, local mental health and substance use authorities, treatment providers, and community-based organizations, across the seven participating health districts. Introduces the peer support internship program, engages agency leadership, and builds and maintains the trusted working relationships needed to bring agencies into the program and keep them engaged through each phase.
Educational materials development (primary function). Designs, writes, and produces educational materials that teach agencies what peer support is and how to integrate it, including presentations, fact sheets, one-pagers, printed educational packets, guides, and digital content. Topics include the roles of CPSS and FPSS, the evidence base for peer support, supervision and workforce considerations, and pathways for sustaining peer positions. Works with the Peer Support Technical Expert & Coach to translate the program's implementation toolkit into clear, accessible materials tailored to rural agency administrators, clinicians, and staff.
Education and presentations. Presents to agency leadership, staff, boards, and community coalitions on peer support and the internship program, both in person and virtually. Represents USU Extension at community meetings, coalitions, and professional events.
Site visits. Schedules, plans, and conducts site visits with candidate and participating agencies throughout Utah. Assesses agency interest and readiness to host peer support workers, and documents visits and follow-up actions.
Coaching and education coordination. Coordinates the delivery of coaching, education, and technical assistance to agencies, including scheduling, logistics, materials, and follow-up. Tracks each agency's progress in adopting the program's implementation toolkit and plan.
Internship application support. Guides candidate agencies through the competitive internship application process. Explains eligibility, requirements, and timelines; answers questions; helps agencies prepare complete and competitive applications; and supports the program's selection process.
Peer intern recruitment and enrollment. Promotes the internship to prospective peer support interns. Once host agencies are selected, coordinates intern enrollment, onboarding, and placement, and serves as a liaison among interns, host agencies, and USU Extension.
Sustainability guidance. Helps agencies understand options for sustaining peer support positions beyond the internship, including Medicaid reimbursement for peer support services, and connects them to appropriate resources.
Data collection and records. Collects program data in the field (e.g., agency engagement, site visits, toolkit adoption, intern enrollment, and peer service utilization) using established instruments. Maintains accurate contact, activity, and program records, and works with the Data Manager & Evaluator to meet DHHS reporting requirements and deadlines.
Program promotion. Develops content for social media, websites, and other outreach channels to promote the program and recruit host agencies and peer interns.
Program operations. Assists with developing partner agreements (e.g., MOUs), standard operating procedures, and operational plans. Contributes to program planning and operational decisions, and participates in coordination meetings with DHHS as requested.
Administrative support. Manages program correspondence, scheduling, travel arrangements, and purchasing for outreach and educational materials. Monitors outreach-related expenses such as travel and printing.
Professional development. Attends relevant trainings and conferences (e.g., the Utah Fall Conference on Substance Use) and may present program lessons learned. May train and direct student employees, interns, and volunteers. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.