Substance Use Engagement Strategist

Maricopa County • Phoenix, AZ

6d • $65,000 - $103,750

About The Position

Are you interested in supporting thoughtful, community-informed approaches to substance use prevention and recovery? The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is seeking a Substance Use Engagement Strategist to help lead the Substance Use Advisory Group—a collaborative initiative focused on addressing substance use challenges through inclusive planning, community engagement, and evidence-based strategies. This position plays a critical role in advancing Maricopa County’s efforts to reduce substance-related harm, improve access to responsive care, and support long-term systems change through community-led planning. The Substance Use Engagement Strategist will build a sustainable framework to reflect the voices of lived experience and translate their recommendations into actionable public health strategies. In this role, you will lead the planning, development, and facilitation of the Substance Use Advisory Group. The position focuses on implementing trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches to reduce substance use-related harm and promote effective, inclusive strategies. You will collaborate with individuals with lived experience, healthcare providers, educators, law enforcement, and other community partners to advance cross-sector efforts aligned with Maricopa County’s Substance Use Needs Assessment and strategic priorities. The Substance Use Engagement Strategist represents a key role in building infrastructure, coordinating stakeholder input, and leading systems-level collaboration.

Requirements

• Three years of experience in program development, community engagement, policy analysis, or project coordination
• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Social Work, Public Administration, Behavioral Health, or related field
• Job-related experience may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver’s license by the time of hire
• Within one month of hire, all employees will be required to provide evidence of immunity or receive immunizations for vaccine-preventable illnesses for any position within the Maricopa County Department of Public Health; required immunizations include MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tdap (whooping cough and diphtheria), Varicella (chickenpox), and annual Influenza; some positions require a Hepatitis B vaccine and/or a Tuberculosis test

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Public Administration, Behavioral Health, or related field
• Lived experience working with various populations impacted by substance use and trauma, with an understanding of how cultural, historical, and social contexts influence substance use and access to care
• Training or certification in trauma-informed care or related frameworks
• Experience applying frameworks in substance use or public health settings
• Experience coordinating and facilitating community-based groups, ensuring productive dialogue, stakeholder alignment, and effective implementation of initiatives

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the establishment and ongoing facilitation of the Substance Use Advisory Group, ensuring representation from individuals with lived or living experience of substance use and their support networks
• Design and implement outreach strategies to recruit community members, including healthcare professionals, individuals with lived experience and/or living experience, educators, justice-involved individuals, and community leaders
• Identify and engage participants for each subcommittee, including subject matter experts, individuals with lived or living experience, and cross-sector representatives. Provide onboarding and ensure understanding of roles, expectations, and decision-making protocols
• Develop trauma-informed meeting protocols and ensure sensitivity, safety, and peer collaboration during engagements
• Facilitate community forums, listening sessions, and public feedback loops to ensure responsive and adaptive programming
• Lead the development of mentorship, peer navigation, and leadership pathways within the advisory group and broader systems of care
• Identify and coordinate internal and external training opportunities for county staff and advisory group members
• Facilitate the formation of specialized subcommittees (e.g., Prevention, Treatment Access, Criminal Justice Interface, Peer Support, Education & Awareness) based on Advisory Group priorities and gaps in system response
• Draft reports and formal recommendations for senior-level leadership based on Advisory Group assessments and community input
• Maintain awareness of emerging research and tools in trauma-informed care, substance use prevention, and community engagement; facilitate access to these resources across sectors
• Analyze and provide recommendations to support the integration of advisory group insights into County funding, workforce, and policy planning to promote sustainability
• Serve as a point of coordination across multi-sector departments to align substance use strategy with other public health, behavioral health, and justice system initiatives
• Lead the development of governance structures, subcommittees, policies and procedures, and documentation protocols to support advisory group functions
• Develop and/or implement frameworks for shared senior-level leadership with individuals with lived or living experience of substance use and their support networks
• Lead the integration of advisory group insights into County funding, workforce, and policy planning to promote sustainability
• Develop trauma-informed meeting protocols and ensure cultural sensitivity (also fits under facilitation)
• Identify and coordinate internal and external training opportunities (also fits under engagement)
• Maintain awareness of emerging research and tools (also fits under communication/reporting)
• Monitor activities, troubleshoot barriers, and provide guidance or resources as needed to ensure timely and productive subcommittee contributions

Benefits

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 12% monthly contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level