Public Health Outreach Specialist

Position Summary:

The Public Health Outreach Specialist focuses on community outreach, substance use prevention, harm reduction programs, participation in community coalitions, and working with vulnerable populations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in public health, excellent communication skills, and a passion for improving community health outcomes.

This position is a 3 year grant funded position.

Essential Activities:

1. Community Outreach and Engagement:

a. Coordinate with JCHD programs and community stakeholders to implement outreach strategies, support, and programs that address vulnerable populations' medical and non-medical needs.

b. Provide outreach, engagement, referrals, and warm hand-offs to partners that provide resource navigation and/or care coordination.

c. Provide education and resources on harm reduction strategies, overdose prevention, and access to treatment services.

d. Distribute harm reduction supplies such as naloxone, education kits, and other materials as appropriate.

e. Assist in the Community Health Needs Assessment to identify health gaps and priorities and participate in the Community Health Improvement Plan, utilizing data and community input to inform outreach efforts.

2. Coalitions and Partnerships:

a. Participate actively in community coalitions focused on public health issues, substance use prevention, harm reduction, and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations.

b. Collaborate with local government agencies, non-profits, healthcare providers, and other partners to support community health initiatives.

c. Continue to increase local and regional partnerships to expand substance use prevention, education, and linkages to resources.

d. Establish connections with other community organizations to identify needs and resources aligning with the mission of JCHD

3. Communications, Data, and Reporting

a. Coordinate health communications efforts and amplify messaging across various settings.

b. Work collaboratively with the JCHD data management team to evaluate and maintain the overdose data dashboard.

c. Design, coordinate, and execute drug prevention and health promotion activities.

d. Assist in developing and submitting funding applications for drug prevention and health promotion programs, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while monitoring existing programs for adherence.

4. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, Social Work, Community Health, or a related field; OR
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in public health, community outreach, substance use prevention, or harm reduction.
• Strong understanding of harm reduction principles and practices.
• Experience living/and/or working in Jefferson County, MO is preferred.
• Experience working with diverse and vulnerable populations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Foundational Public Health Services:

Ability to follow the Missouri Foundational Public Health Services model’s capabilities and areas of expertise as necessary for this position.

Continuing Education:

Although not mandatory, completing continuing education coursework is encouraged to maintain currency in the discipline. Additionally, emergency response training courses must be completed within established time frames, as identified by ordinance, statute, or administration. Annually, JCHD administration will require various coursework completions, not specific to any discipline, that is deemed beneficial to the organization as a whole.

Work Conditions:

This position entails work that may be required at multiple locations, involving minimal lifting/carrying. There may be occasional evening and/or weekend work, and individuals should be prepared to work in reasonable adverse weather conditions such as snow, rain, or heat. All staff at JCHD are designated as first responders during public health emergencies. Therefore, employees must be available 24/7/365 if called upon during an emergency event.

Additional Notes:

All JCHD employees are considered First Responders in a Disaster Response Situation. All employees must report for duty at the Director's request during a public health emergency.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other Health Department-related duties requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.