Community Outreach Worker I- (Contractual)

University of Maryland Baltimore; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 40,315 - 41,951; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation and leave

Tuition remission for employees and dependents

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Community Outreach Worker I (COW I) to engage with individuals affected by opioid use disorder. This role involves recruitment for a research study, providing necessary support and maintaining participant contact throughout the study.

Potential candidates must have a high school diploma and are expected to engage with diverse communities, promoting the initiative through outreach and education efforts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Preferred experience with opioid or substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach and recruitment for study participants.
• Assure follow-up with participants to maintain retention.
• Engage in education and outreach at community events.

Skills

Effective communication

Relationship building

Computer operation

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge of substance use disorders

Community engagement

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Community Outreach Worker I (COW I)

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of Maryland is recruiting for a Community Outreach Worker I (COW I). The selected incumbent will become a member of a study team that will conduct a research study aimed at improving engagement in care and treatment outcomes for people with opioid use disorder. The COW I will be exclusively assigned to support recruitment and retention efforts.

Benefits Information

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension). Non‑exempt regular staff receive a generous paid leave package that starts with 14 days of vacation accrued per year, 16 paid holidays, 3 personal leave days, unlimited accrual of sick time, and time for community service; comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Primary Duties

• Conduct outreach, general education, and engagement activities to identify and recruit study participants.
• Recruit study participants and provide assistance with tracking and maintaining contact with participants after enrollment to support high retention rates in research follow‑up assessments.
• Participate in and successfully complete training requirements.
• Update database and log information for outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow‑up activities.
• Engage in outreach, education, and participant recruitment activities at community and social service agencies such as food distribution sites, needle and syringe exchange programs, health clinics, hospital emergency departments, and health fairs or other community events.
• Understand and adhere to confidentiality and privacy protections for persons with opioid or other substance use disorders and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Attend local or national meetings and conferences to discuss peer outreach activities, practices, and disseminate research results.
• Meet regularly with the study team to assist with tracking outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow‑up activities and address recruitment and data retention issues.
• Attend all scheduled or required meetings with the site Project Director or other study leadership team.

The intent of this list of primary duties is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this job. Incumbents will perform other related duties assigned. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based on departmental needs.

Qualifications

• Education: High‑school diploma or GED.
• Experience: None. Lived experience with opioid or other substance use disorders is strongly preferred.
• Other: In addition to qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year‑for‑year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Operate computers and other office equipment, including writing reports and maintaining records.
• Work in extreme weather conditions and perform extensive standing and walking.
• Handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and tact.
• Interact with the public, healthcare providers, community organizations, and social service agencies.
• Maintain poise and courtesy under pressure.
• Demonstrate knowledge of opioid or other substance use disorders.
• Engage with diverse individuals in various community settings and locations.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
• Prioritize, organize, and complete tasks and responsibilities timely and by deadlines.
• Work collaboratively with a multi‑disciplinary team to complete community engagement, recruitment, and other project tasks.
• Use computer literacy to maintain and manage participant records, logs, and other materials.
• Be knowledgeable about local high‑overdose or drug‑use risk areas and organizations that facilitate outreach and recruitment of persons with opioid use disorder.
• Be comfortable engaging and recruiting persons with untreated opioid use disorder in a broad variety of community settings and locations, including high drug‑use areas.

Conditions of Employment

Employees in this job class may be required to use their personal automobile while conducting official business and possess a valid Maryland Non‑commercial Class C or Commercial Class B Driver's License (CDL). Candidates selected for employment may be subjected to medical inquiries and/or a medical examination to determine ability to perform the job. Employees in this job class may be required to successfully pass a police background check.

Based on the duties of this position, selected candidates are eligible to participate in the Bargaining Unit (Union).

Hiring Range

$40,315 - $41,951.22, commensurate with education and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected classification.

Reasonable Accommodation

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact [e-mail]. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Title IX

UMB is prohibited from sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non‑Discrimination for more information.