Youth Outreach Specialist

City of Lowell

Job Posting

Health and Human Services

Youth Outreach Specialist

Job Title: Youth Outreach Specialist (1100-DH07, J#6504, 3942)

Department: Health and Human Services

Reports to: Lowell CO-OP Supervisor

Union: Ordinance, non-union

Salary: $54,122.14 (min) to $63,450.80 (max) annually; Grant Funded position

FLSA Status: Exempt

Hours: 35 hours per week; Monday- Friday 8am-4pm; occasional evenings and weekends may be required

SUMMARY

The Youth Outreach Specialist works as the point person for youth-related matters on the Lowell Community Opioid Outreach Program (CO-OP). This position works to identify and build relationships with youth service providers in the City of Lowell. Utilizing these relationships, the Youth Outreach Specialist will be tasked to identify youth within the City to assist in coordinated case management of youth affected by the opioid crisis and ensuring that youth affected are connected to necessary services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Work as part of the Lowell CO-OP team;

• Identify and build relationships with the Department of Children and Families, local schools, youth serving agencies, and other community organizations;

• Work with various agencies to identify youth affected by the opioid crisis and identify youth that may have been present during a family members overdose;

• Participate in outreach activities as a member of the Lowell CO-OP team to engage the community and the immediate population;

• Refer youth to therapeutic and supportive services as necessary and agreed upon by consenting family;

• After an information sharing consent form has been signed by a parent/guardian of a child, work with school nurses and collateral providers to help youth;

• Explore opportunities for youth affected by the opioid crisis to attend camp/recreational activities designed specifically for youth facing challenges associated with family member's substance use disorder;

• Utilize IntakeQ to track various data sets and document daily notes;

• Work closely with grant management staff from the Lowell Police Department on quarterly reports;

• Attend various monthly partner meetings, such as Lowell Youth Development Collaborative (LYDC) meetings, to discuss general successes/challenges, trends, and how partners might be able to assist;

• Engage in outreach education and conduct formal presentations with schools and youth serving agencies specific to substance use and substance use disorder impact youth;

• Work with the Health Department's outreach staff regarding prevention strategies for youth;

• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to network and build relationships with community providers and referring agencies;

• Understanding of and ability to implement harm reduction and relapse prevention strategies;

• Understanding of the cultural basis of one's beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes that challenge recovery efforts and contribute to ongoing risk for relapse and overdose;

• Ability to maintain records in compliance with HIPAA regulations, agency policies, procedures, and grant requirements;

• Ability to work collaboratively with Lowell CO-OP team members, community partners, and referring agencies on behalf of clients and the employer;

• Strong interpersonal skills.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None

QUALIFICATIONS:

The position requires education, experience, and/or working knowledge of behavioral health and substance use disorder. Strong communication skills (verbal and written) are essential. US Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Satisfactory CORI report will be required.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

(a)

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Resources, Mental Health, Social Work, Public Health, or other Human Service curriculum and 3-5 years of experience in the field preferred; or

(b)

Master's Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Resources, Mental Health, Social Work,

Public Health, or other Human Service curriculum and 1-2 years of experience in the field; or

(c)

Satisfactory equivalent combination of the foregoing education, training, and experience (will also consider pending licensure and need for clinical hours/experience, prior case management or prior clinical experience).

Experience working with diverse community members and demonstrated knowledge of prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategies preferred. Experience working with community coalition building and large group facilitation preferred. Bilingual skills are a plus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Ability to speak effectively to subordinates in clear, understandable means.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The City of Lowell is a smoke and drug free employer and requires a physical with drug screen and CORL post offer.

Qualified individuals should apply by the deadline by submitting application/resume with cover letter using the City of Lowell job opportunities online portal:

https://cityoflowellma.munisselfservice.com/ess/employmentopportunities/default.aspx

The City is committed to encouraging diversity and inclusion through equitable opportunities for all community members. The aim is for our workforce, including contractors, to be truly representative of all sections of society and our community, and for each team member to feel respected while fostering belonging.

"The City of Lowell assures that every individual shall have equal access to all City employment opportunities. The City is all-inclusive and no person shall be denied equal access because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, military service, or physical/mental disability."

EOE/AA/504 Employer

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $54,122.14 - $63,450.80 per year

Expected hours: 35 per week

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $54,122 - $63,451