Community Outreach Worker I

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of Maryland is recruiting for a Community Outreach Worker I (COW I). The selected incumbent will become a member of a study team that will conduct a research study aimed at improving engagement in care and treatment outcomes for people with opioid use disorder. The COW I will be exclusively assigned to support recruitment and retention efforts. The COW I is responsible for conducting outreach activities, recruiting potential participants, and providing assistance in ensuring enrolled participants have high rates of retention for research visits. The COW I will perform tasks under the direction of the site Project Director and as planned and approved by the site Project Director and study team leadership.

Benefits Information
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension), effective on your date of hire. Non-exempt regular staff receive a generous paid leave package that starts with 14 days of vacation accrued per year, 16 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and time for community service; comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job). 

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland.  All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Primary Duties

• Responsible for conducting outreach, general education, and engagement activities to identify and recruit study participants.
   
• Responsible for recruiting study participants, providing assistance with tracking and maintaining contact with study participants after enrollment, and providing assistance with maintaining high rates of retention in research follow-up assessments.
   
• Participates in and successfully completes training requirements.
   
• Updates database and logs information for outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow-up activities.
   
• Participates in outreach, general education, and participant recruitment activities at community and social service agencies, such as food distribution sites, needle and syringe exchange programs, health clinics, hospital emergency departments, and health fairs or other community events.
   
• Understands and adheres to confidentiality and privacy protections for persons with opioid or other substance use and for study participants and maintains appropriate professional boundaries.
   
• May be assigned to attend local or national meetings and conferences to discuss peer outreach activities and practices and disseminate research results.
   
• Meets regularly with study team to assist with tracking community outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow-up activities and to assist with addressing recruitment and data retention issues.
   
• Attends all scheduled or required meetings with the site Project Director or other study leadership team.
   

Note: The intent of this list of primary duties is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this job. Incumbents perform other related duties assigned. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs.

Education: High-school diploma or GED.
Experience: None. Lived experience  with opioid or other substance use disorders is strongly preferred.
Other: Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to operate computers and other office equipment. Ability to write reports and maintain records. Ability to work in extreme weather conditions. Ability to perform extensive standing and walking. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and tact. Ability to interact with the public, health care providers, community organizations, and social service agencies. Ability to maintain poise and courtesy under pressure. 
   
• Demonstrate knowledge in opioid or other substance use disorders. 
   
• Ability to work and engage with diverse individuals in various community settings and locations.  
   
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.  
   
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete tasks and responsibilities timely and by deadlines. 
   
• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team to complete community engagement recruitment and other project tasks.
   
• Computer literacy to maintain and manage participant records, logs, and other materials.
   
• Knowledgeable about local high overdose or drug use risk areas and about organizations 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.
   
• Comfortable about and capable 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, including high drug use areas.

Conditions of Employment:
Employees in this job class may be required to use their personal automobile while conducting official business and possess a valid Maryland Non-commercial Class C or Commercial Class B Driver's License (CDL). Candidates selected for employment may be subjected to medical inquiries and/or medical examination to determine ability to perform the job. Employees in this job class may be required to successfully pass a police background check.

Based on the duties of this position, selected candidates are eligible to participate in the Bargaining Unit (Union).

Hiring Range: $40,315 - $41,951.22, commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.