Community Outreach Specialist - Behavioral Health Consultant - Psychiatry - Addiction Medicine
The Department of Psychiatry at Iowa Health Care is seeking a Community Outreach Specialist to work with the UI Addiction and Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC). This position will be responsible for the development, management, and delivery of training programs for staff and volunteers, while also leading outreach initiatives to engage communities affected by substance use disorders. As an Outreach Specialist, one will rely on specialized practice skills in behavioral health management, social work, or community service and will act as a mediator/liaison to facilitate specific situations requiring management strategies in addiction treatment education. This role supports the organization’s mission to expand access to addiction treatment, reduce stigma, and promote recovery through education, collaboration, and advocacy.
Work Environment:
• Office-based with regular travel to community sites and partner organizations.
• Occasional evening or weekend work for outreach events and meeting participation.
• Collaborative, mission-driven team environment.
Position Responsibilities
Training & Staff Development:
• Design and implement training programs on addiction treatment, overdose prevention, trauma-informed care, and community engagement.
• Facilitate onboarding for new staff and volunteers, ensuring alignment with organizational values and clinical protocols.
• Develop written training materials, including manuals, presentations, and e-learning modules.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and update content based on feedback and emerging best practices.
• Coordinate continuing medical education (CME) credits for presentation events.
• Provide technical assistance to groups creating their own programs/initiatives such as naloxone vending machines, assisting with updating policies/procedures, support teams applying for naloxone to have onsite or to distribute through state programs.
• Maintain and oversee training materials and supplies, including naloxone inventory management.
Community Outreach & Engagement:
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, schools, faith groups, and local leaders to promote addiction services.
• Organize and lead outreach events, workshops, public education campaigns, and conduct follow-up communications.
• Serve as a liaison between the organization and the community, identifying needs and opportunities for collaboration; serving on committees and coalitions and advise other organizations.
• Coordinate outreach schedules and ensure alignment with program goals.
Program Development & Evaluation:
• Collaborate with program managers to develop outreach strategies that increase service utilization and community impact.
• Track outreach and training metrics; contribute to reports for internal review and external stakeholders.
• Support grant applications and reporting by providing data and success stories.
Advocacy & Public Education:
• Represent the organization at community forums, health fairs, and policy meetings.
• Develop and distribute educational materials on addiction, recovery, and available services.
• Promote stigma reduction and evidence-based approaches to addiction care.
Classification Title: Behavioral Health Consultant – PJA2 – 3A
Working Title: Community Outreach Specialist
Department/Division: Psychiatry, Addiction and Recovery
Staff Type: Professional & Scientific
Type of Position: Specified Term, minimum of 12 months with possibility of extension
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Education, Health Care or health education field, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 3–5 years of experience in addiction services, community outreach, or training roles.
• Strong facilitation and public speaking skills.
• Experience developing training curricula and outreach strategies.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, risk reduction, and recovery models.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Desirable Qualifications
• Knowledge of University policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Knowledge of behavioral health resources in Eastern Iowa
Application Process
• To be considered, applicants must upload a Cover Letter and Resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
• Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
• Professional references will be required later in the recruitment process.
• For more information, contact lori-posey@uiowa.edu .
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
