Community Outreach And Engagement Associate, Vt Helplink

Health Resources in Action, Inc. (HRiA) is a non-profit organization working to improve and reimagine public health. We connect, consult, and collaborate to solve complex challenges of access and equity in our health and social systems. Together with our partners, clients, and collaborators, we create actionable solutions so that all people can thrive.

In 1957, The Medical Foundation (TMF) was created to primarily fund biomedical research in Massachusetts. Since then, we’ve been on a journey of evolution. We changed our name to Health Resources in Action (HRiA) to reflect our impact in the field of public health. Today, HRiA works with individuals, organizations, and communities to drive a policy and systems change approach to advance health and racial equity.

HRiA seeks sustainable solutions for complex problems using an anti-racist approach. We aim to be adaptable and flexible in meeting clients and partners where they are, offering our decades of knowledge and resources to collectively realize our dream of equitable, sustainable health for all. The foundation of this work is centered on our values:

• Health and racial equity by identifying and addressing the root causes of health inequities, intentionally working to shift narratives and power imbalances and disrupt all systems of oppression.
• Leading with heart by demonstrating our passionate commitment to our work, continuously challenging ourselves with humility and vulnerability while pursuing and holding ourselves accountable to our mission.
• Collaboration by intentionally and respectfully leading, partnering, and following to strengthen relationships, uplift different voices and build trust.
• Innovation by driving toward new strategies, questioning norms, and continuously learning and evolving to support the needs of our clients and communities.

HRiA Our diverse staff of over 270 people hail from 30+ states, with a homebase in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood.

Health Resources in Action, Inc. (HRiA) is a nonprofit public health and medical research funding organization based in Boston, Massachusetts with a mission to help people live healthier lives and build healthier communities through prevention, health promotion, policy, and research. HRiA works with a diverse group of clients across the country to address some of the most critical public health issues using innovative and evidence-based approaches to improve population health. Our clients include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, state and local health departments, hospitals, and private/corporate philanthropic entities.

Since its founding in 1957, HRiA has been at the forefront of public health, leading the way to promote healthier and more vibrant communities. Our work recognizes the impact of social, economic, and racial factors on health outcomes. HRiA’s core services comprise four clusters: (1) capacity building assistance (CBA), (2) public health services, (3) grantmaking for biomedical research and community health initiatives, (4) research and evaluation, and (5) health and racial equity.

As part of our CBA services, HRiA manages an extensive portfolio of behavioral health initiatives, including statewide substance use helplines in Vermont and substance use and problem gambling helplines in Massachusetts and Illinois. The Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances (Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery) was launched in 2017, building upon our experience operating the MA Substance Use Helpline (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services) for over 26 years. HRiA launched the Vermont Helplink (Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Services) in 2019. HRiA began operating the MA Problem Gambling Helpline (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services) in 2020 and the Illinois Problem Gambling Helpline (Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery) in 2022. In December of 2023, HRiA will begin operating the helpline for the state of Oregon.

The Helplines comprise state-specific websites and online portals, as well as a single, centralized contact center that manages calls and chats from residents of all states, as well as live SMS texting for Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, and soon Vermont. The Helplines connect consumers with comprehensive, accurate, and current information about and referrals to treatment, harm reduction, prevention, and recovery services available in their states.

To learn more about HRiA and our helplines, visit the following:

• HRiA: hria.org
• VT Helplink: VTHelplink.org
• MA Substance Use Helpline: HelplineMA.org
• MA Problem Gambling Helpline: GamblingHelplineMA.org
• IL Problem Gambling Helpline: WeKnowTheFeeling.org
• IL Helpline: HelplineIL.org
• OR Hopeline:oregonhopeline.org

To learn more about our health equity framework and approach, go to hria.org/about/equityframework.

Position Description

The VT Helplink Community Outreach and Engagement Associate will help build awareness and increase use of the VT Helplink services by engaging communities and conducting outreach throughout Vermont to VDH’s Preferred Providers, community partners, coalition members, people using substances and in recovery, allies, family and loved ones, young adults, and other constituents and priority populations. The position provides a chance to be a champion and partner in implementing Helplink marketing campaigns and efforts and to engage with community members through in-person and online meetings and events. Additionally, the Outreach Associate will play a key role in building out our Champions program, which is an initiative to engage trusted community organizations in Helplink programming, material development, and outreach efforts. These organizations include:

• Migrant Justice
• The Root Social Justice Center
• Johnsbury Community Hub
• The Pride Center of VT

This is an exempt, full-time position with a salary range of 55k-65k based on skills, work experience, and lived experience. The Outreach Associate may work remotely. Travel within Vermont and occasional travel to the Boston office is required (paid and/or reimbursed by HRiA). Candidates must be based in Vermont.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Work

• Conduct outreach to Preferred Providers to establish relationships and communication channels to ensure effective coordination of effort between the Helplink and existing Helplink services.
• Co-develop and oversee strategic plan and outreach efforts, including Champions program and other strategies.
• Build strategic relationships with Preferred Providers and other community partners to promote Helplink services.
• Develop content for presentations and promotional materials for use with various audiences.
• Conduct presentations for partners, clients, staff, and others as necessary.
• Ensure regular communication and collaboration with Helplink Screening and Information Specialists, clinicians, outreach staff in other states, and other staff, sharing outreach learnings.
• Offer subject matter expertise in the content development and implementation of Helpline marketing efforts, including campaigns, print materials, video development, websites, and more.
• Facilitate co-creation of materials with internal Communications team and Champions partners when necessary.
• Contribute to content development for VT Helplink social media and websites, ensuring brand integrity through all promotional efforts.

Thought Leadership

• Build and develop knowledge and expertise in substance use disorders, recovery pathways, harm reduction approaches, VT SUD service landscape, etc. particularly with the lens of health and racial equity.
• Contribute to strategy to further develop HRiA substance use and behavioral health work as appropriate.
• Suggest ideas/improvements through participation in teams and committees.
• Consistently attend and actively participate in Helpline meetings and other activities to develop skills and make suggestions for project enhancements.

Management

• Create VT Helpline Champion network based on MA and IL model. Build relationships and Champion involvement through workshops and monthly meetings to grow volunteer engagement for the VT Helplink.
• Participate in hiring processes for new Helplink staff as needed.
• Assist in the training and mentoring of new Helpline staff and volunteers as needed.

New Business Development

• Maintain updated resume and bio for use in new business proposals.
• Assist with subject matter guidance and technical components of new business proposals as needed.

Candidate Qualifications:

• BS or BA with at least three years of relevant experience, or in lieu of a degree, at least five years of experience in the field of substance use services.
• Strong commitment to health and racial equity.
• Knowledge of Vermont geography, culture, and stakeholders.
• Lived/living experience with substance use disorder strongly preferred.
• Openness to Harm Reduction principles and approaches; respect for those who use substances; appreciation for the many ways people enter into and sustain recovery from substance use disorders.
• Relationships within the SUD, harm reduction, and/or recovery communities in Vermont preferred.
• Commitment to building and maintaining trusted relationships with community members across VT, including service providers and general public.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Skilled and comfortable with public speaking.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• High level of self-motivation, with a demonstrated ability to commit to and complete high-quality products and projects.
• Respectful of cultural differences and value diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• If in recovery, two years of recovery from a substance use disorder is requested.
• Bilingual (primarily in English/Spanish) preferred.
• A valid driver’s license and access to an automobile.
• Ability to work virtually with a strong and stable internet connection.
• MS Office proficiency; strong PowerPoint (or other presentation software) skills preferred.
• Flexibility and a sense of humor.

How to Apply:

HRiA is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced staff. The organization encourages multiple perspectives and experiences, supports a multicultural environment, and strives to hire and retain a diverse work force that reflects the populations we work with and the communities where we work. Diversity is a core value of HRiA resulting in culturally competent services, materials, resources, and programs. Our hiring and business practices appreciate the strengths offered through different backgrounds.

HRiA is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

Health Resources in Action offers an attractive benefits package including medical, dental and life insurance, retirement plan, tax-deferred annuity, and generous starting vacation of four weeks.

To apply, submit your resume and cover letter.