Community Outreach Specialist

Wayspring; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

HSA + Gym Allowance

Paid parental leave

Disability and life insurance

401k with company match

PTO + holidays

Sabbatical program

CEU stipend and training

Job summary

Wayspring is seeking a Community Outreach Specialist to connect underserved community members with our services in the greater Rockford region. The role requires daytime travel, outreach in diverse settings, and a focus on enrollment and linkage to care.

Applicants should have strong communication, de‑escalation, and presentation abilities, plus CRM/EHR experience. We offer competitive benefits and a mission‑driven team environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years in a community outreach role.
• Bachelor’s degree or work experience equivalent in a relevant field.
• Ability to travel within the greater Rockford area.
• Strong communication and de‑escalation skills.
• Experience with CRM/EHR is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates and secures enrollments from community members in Wayspring’s services.
• Assesses member needs quickly and triages accordingly.
• Engages members and explains Wayspring’s services clearly.
• Obtains verbal and written consent and necessary paperwork.
• Secures members’ first appointment with clinical services.
• Maintains frequent touchpoints with enrolled caseload.
• Initiates creative strategies for member contact.
• Incorporates recovery support and harm reduction themes.
• Reviews member profiles for social determinants and clinical updates.
• Meets enrollment and clinic conversion targets.

Skills

Communication skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Presentation skills

Crisis management

Ability to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree or work experience equivalent

Tools

CRM

EHR

Job description

• Location Wayspring, Rockford, IL, 61101, United States
• Job Category SUD Home
• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt

Overview of the Community Outreach Specialist

At Wayspring, we’re committed to making healthcare more accessible for people who need it most. As a Community Outreach Specialist, you’ll play a key role in connecting individuals to the support and services we offer, helping them take the first step toward better health. You’ll reach out to eligible members in the community, often those who may be harder to reach or currently disengaged from care. This role is a great fit for someone who’s personable, adaptable, and comfortable navigating a variety of community settings. Your communication skills and compassion will help build trust and open doors for those who may feel left out of the healthcare system. This isn’t just outreach—it’s connection, trust-building, and creating a ripple of change in people’s lives. If you’re looking for a meaningful role where you can support others and make a difference in your local community, we’d love to speak with you.

This role requires regular daytime travel to meet members in and around the greater Rockford, IL area - mileage reimbursement is included!

Click Here to see a day in the life of a Community Outreach Specialist at Wayspring!

Why Wayspring?

We are passionate about breaking barriers alongside those facing substance use disorder. Whether you’re in the field or in the corporate office – our mission is felt, and your impact is recognized. There is no inner circle, and we all have a seat at the table. Leaders are accessible and silos are avoided. We respect your craft and love to be challenged. We invest not only in our mission, but in each other. Internal promotions and cross departmental trainings are the norm – you grow, we grow. At Wayspring, we don’t just see you as an employee, we see you for who you are. a whole-person – with hobbies, pets, families, and lives outside of work. Our flexible schedule and flexible work environment options help you to create and maintain the work-life balance you need most.

Responsibilities of the Community Outreach Specialist

• Facilites and secures enrollments from members in the community to participate in Wayspring’s services
• Acts quickly to assess member needs and triage accordingly
• Successfully engages members and provides them with an educational overview of Wayspring’sservice offerings
• Secure s verbal and written consent, and obtain s appropriate paperwork for services, including consent to clinic services and release of information forms, from members to participate in Wayspring’s services
• Secures members’ first appointment with clinical services
• Provides frequent touchpoints to enrolled caseload and ability to assess individual member needs
• Initiates creative strategies to facilitate member contact
• Incorporates recovery support and harm reduction themes into engagement
• Regularly review s member profile for SDoH and clinical updates
• Maintain s performance accountability around member enrollment and clinic conversion, and achieve s performance targets
• Adheres to Wayspring information security and privacy requirement

Requirements & Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a community outreach role, with preferred experience around street outreach
• Bachelor’s degree or work experience equivalent in a relevant field
• Demonstrated ability working in a matrixed environment
• The ability to communicate effectively and persuasively is required
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and professionally
• Exceptional verbal de‑escalation skills and crisis management
• Experience with CRM, EHR, or similar platforms is preferred
• Ability to travel as business needs require (community-based role). Mileage reimbursement is provided.

Our goal is to foster a workplace where everyone feels a true sense of belonging, is supported, and empowered to thrive. We actively seek different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences—because we believe that drives better performance and innovation. We’re committed to identifying and removing barriers for the communities we serve.

Benefit Summary

Creating a great employee experience takes more than just perks— but let’s be real, those matter too. Here’s how we’re building a company where you, your family, your pets, and your passions can thrive.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance options – including options for your pets!
• Company funded HSA + Monthly Gym Allowance
• Paid parental leave – all parents included!
• Company paid short term disability, long term disability and life insurance
• 401k with company match
• Premium Employee Assistance Program, inclusive of counseling sessions
• Pardon and Expungement Scholarship Program
• Company Contributions to Future Minded Savings (HSA and Emergency savings fund)
• Generous PTO package (accrual policy based on years of service) and an additional 10 paid company holidays
• Company 2 week paid sabbatical program!
• Provider Benefits include ASAM training and membership + $2,500 CEU annual stipend and more!