Community Engagement Specialist

Description

 The Community Engagement Specialist will facilitate awareness of and engagement with DotHouse programs and services among local community residents and organizations. Key areas of focus will initially include recruitment for our substance use disorder (SUD) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs. Priority populations for engagement include but are not limited to: people of color, people identifying as LGBTQIA , newcomers, adolescents, people with SUD, people with mental health challenges, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, people with low incomes, people who are uninsured/underinsured, people with limited English proficiency, people with disabilities, survivors, and other underserved groups 

 GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Develop and implement an outreach plan, deploying comprehensive outreach strategies to connect with community residents, organizations, partners, and other stakeholders;
• Establish and nurture collaborative recruitment and referral partnerships with local social services non-profits, healthcare facilities, carceral facilities, detox centers, community behavioral health centers, schools, shelters, faith-based organizations, and other external partners and stakeholders;
• Attend and table at community events to increase awareness of DotHouse programs and services;
• Coordinate or support workshops and/or events for patients, community members, and/or community organizations to learn about and engage with DotHouse programs;
• Create/source accessible outreach materials promoting DHH programs, services, and access pathways
• Support DotHouse marketing, education and promotion campaigns (in-person, digital, print, etc.);
• Facilitate low-barrier access to programs and services for interested individuals;
• Track and document all completed patient engagement activities and participate in evaluation of impact;
• Participate in program team meetings to provide updates on engagement strategies and success of events, activities and workshops;
• Facilitate involvement of or incorporation of feedback from patients, community members, and partners in the design, implementation, and evaluation of DHH programs and services;
• Support program teams in meeting goals for numbers of unique individuals served, as well as goals for representation of priority populations;
• Champion equity, inclusion, and accessibility for all programs and services at DHH;
• Operate independently. Use independent judgment and discretion to make decisions affecting programs and staff as it relates to operations/services and DotHouse policy;
• Work in a confidential capacity;
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

Education:

BA/BS required. (Two additional years’ experience in conducting community-based outreach or engagement can substitute

for a degree.)

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of experience related to conducting community-based outreach or engagement, marketing
• and communications, partnership development, public relations, or providing health/social services to related
• populations.
• · Lived or working experience with patients with underlying BH and/or SUD diagnosis or other priority populations
• required.
• · Lived or working experience with the communities in the DHH service area – including Dorchester, Roxbury, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Quincy, Randolph—strongly preferred.

Required Skills and Competencies 

• Relationship oriented; highly outgoing; approachable; enjoys public speaking and networking. 
• Strong demonstrated commitment to health equity;
•  Familiarity with the roles of different sectors of the community and can identify potential opportunities for collaboration;
•  Able to understand and clearly convey information about DotHouse Health’s programs and services in both verbal and written communications; 
• Experience and comfort in using Microsoft Office suite; · Able to collaborate effectively with diverse internal stakeholders including programmatic, clinical, operations, and IT staff;
•  Can take initiative and work independently as well as part of a team; ·
• Demonstrates professionalism and represents DotHouse in a positive light; · 
• Able to work occasional evenings/weekends and responsibly maintain a flexible schedule. 

 Preferred: Requires a valid MA driver’s license and ability to travel independently within the Greater Boston area.