Careers

Substance use disorder has become a devastating epidemic with 192 Americans dying every day from an accidental drug overdose. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in 2018, 2,656 people in Illinois died from opioid-related overdoses. Overdose death is currently the number one cause of accidental death, surpassing car accidents, gun violence, and suicide for the 3rd year in a row.

Live4Lali has been serving suburban Chicago for ten years providing critical prevention, education, treatment access, support programs, community solutions-building initiatives, harm reduction, and overdose prevention services to decrease the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic.

Mission: Live4Lali works to reduce stigma and prevent substance use disorder among individuals, families, and communities, and minimize the overall health, legal and social harms associated with substance use.

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Outreach Coordinator (Part-Time)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Part-Time Outreach Coordinator will co-manage the McHenry County Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention Program alongside the current full-time Outreach Coordinator. The Outreach Coordinator will also take calls from community members and arrange for training for individuals without transportation if needed. 

Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the Part-Time Outreach Coordinator will be part of the Live4Lali team, engaged in the following activities:

  • Identify areas of greatest need within McHenry County, and distribute Naloxone both on the street and within existing services;
  • Provide on the spot training in harm reduction and overdose response and distribute naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication across the county;
  • Provide education on overdose prevention and harm reduction techniques;
  • Identify rehabs, shelters, supportive housing, sober living and other facilities and educate on the need to scale up access to naloxone and other safety practices, providing training where needed;
  • Provide transportation for individuals requiring treatment, recovery, or wrap-around services;
  • Provide increased and enhanced training to impacted persons, and the general public on first aid practices, naloxone distribution, and harm reduction practices;
  • Identify and develop safety plans with peers who are at increased risk of overdose;
  • Maintain supply inventory, and replenish as needed;
  • Collect, input, and coordinate data with Live4Lali’s Database Administrator;
  • Must have an understanding of, and ability to maintain, HIPAA compliance at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Outreach Coordinator will preferably be a person with at least 2 years in recovery/remission from substance use disorder. Bilingual in Spanish a plus. He/she will also have a minimum of two years’ relevant work or lived experience in substance use disorder, mental health, public health or social work, and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements:

  • Direct service delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and community support systems;
  • Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges;
  • Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of safer drug use, addictions, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, mental health, etc.;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care;
  • Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices;
  • Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges;
  • Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques;
  • Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility and assertiveness in dealing with complex issues;
  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers;
  • Strong working knowledge of local health and social services;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of group process and facilitation techniques;
  • Must have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and good driving record;
  • Feel comfortable driving 30-60 miles per day to serve the population;
  • Must comply with all Live4Lali policies and procedures, including, but not limited to the Risk Management Guidelines.

The Outreach Coordinator position (part-time) is based in McHenry County at a TBD location. This role will require a commitment of 30 hours per week, at a rate of $15 per hour. 

Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply, as are those of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Live4Lali is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate by race, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability in its procedures and policies.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should email a (1) cover letter and (2) resume with (3) two references to Alexander Mathiesen at [email protected]. Please use the subject line “Part-Time Outreach Coordinator.” Only electronic submissions will be accepted.