Extra Help - Peer Support Assistant - Institute for Juvenile Research

University of Illinois Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Illinois Chicago seeks an Extra Help Peer Support Assistant to support the clinical trials team and expand access to treatment for opioid use disorder on Chicago's west side. The role focuses on outreach, engagement, and referral coordination with Mile Square Health Center.

The position is temporary (up to 900 hours) with a hybrid work arrangement, 32 hours per week, and compensation of $26.00 per hour. Experience in recovery and a commitment to client privacy are highly valued.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year lived recovery/re-entry experience in relevant areas (substance use, mental health, incarceration).
• Valid Illinois driver's license and proof of insurance if required.

Responsibilities

• Provide individuals with social services program information.
• Develop rapport with clients/peers to create a safe, open space.
• Build relationships in the community and maintain outreach logs.
• Engage in outreach at community and social service settings (food sites, health fairs).
• Keep confidentiality and privacy protections for people with opioid use disorder.

Skills

Lived experience recovery

Communication

Community outreach

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Extra Help - Peer Support Assistant - Institute for Juvenile Research

This Position is temporary and limited to 900 hours.

Hiring Department: Institute for Juvenile Research

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1042490

Hours per Week: 32

# of Positions: 1

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Posting Close Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026

Salary: The rate of pay for this position is $26.00 per hour.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Position Summary

The Extra Help Peer Support Assistant will support the clinical trials team in increasing access to treatment for opioid use disorder, which remains prevalent on Chicago's west side. The Extra Help Peer Support Assistant will help grow the network of organizations working to expand services for our city's resource-deprived individuals and in so doing, increase referrals to our institution's federally qualified health clinic, Mile Square Health Center (MSHC). In partnership with MSHC, our clinical trials division will make recovery guiding services available (through the Better Together study) to eligible individuals who begin a new treatment episode with buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists with providing individuals with social services program information.
• Develops a rapport with clients/peers to create a safe space where clients/peers can be open and honest about their struggles.
• Develop relationships in the community.
• Maintains logs of and documents outreach, engagement, and follow-up activities.
• Engages in outreach and education activities at community and social service agencies, such as food distribution sites, needle and syringe exchange programs, city service centers, and health fairs or other community events.
• Understands and adheres to confidentiality and privacy protections for people with opioid or other substance use.
• May be assigned to attend local or national meetings and conferences to discuss peer outreach activities.
• Meets regularly with research and outreach team to track and manage community outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow-up activities and to address recruitment and data retention issues.
• Participates in staff meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, training sessions, and other activities which will provide meaningful learning experiences.
• Performs other related duties assigned.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. One (1) year (12 months) of "lived" experience in sustained recovery and re-entry in the area(s) of specialization inherent to the position.
   • Incarceration
   • Chronic health management (diabetes, hypertension, cancer, etc.)
   • Mental/behavioral health management
   • Substance abuse (illicit drug or alcohol dependency)
3. Based on position and institutional requirements, possession of a valid and current (appropriate) State of Illinois driver's license and proof of insurance at the time of appointment.

Note: This experience may include personal experience as a parent, guardian, or a loved one you have supported through such a journey.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have lived experience with opioid or other substance use disorders, or familiarity with populations living with substance use and/or behavioral health diagnoses.
• Knowledge about local high overdose or drug use risk areas and about organization of places that would facilitate outreach and recruitment of persons with opioid use disorder in a broad range of community settings, for participation in treatment and in the study.
• Ability of going to, working in, and engaging and recruiting for participation in the study persons with untreated opioid use disorder in a broad variety of community settings and locations.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.