Behavioral Health Outreach Specialist

Job Summary:
The Division of Infectious Diseases at UW-Madison, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Communicable Diseases Harm Reduction Section (CDHRS), seeks a candidate to join a team that will provide mobile harm reduction outreach services in rural Wisconsin communities. This position is responsible for providing an array of mobile-based harm reduction services including intakes and ongoing assessments to people living with and at risk for hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), and HIV and other communicable infections (e.g., STI, COVID-19,). The incumbent will provide outreach, intervention, and prevention services to participants that include: HCV and HIV testing, syringe services, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) screenings and assessments, and overdose prevention outreach and education. These mobile services are provided utilizing a team approach and are targeted to rural participants where access to service is limited and health disparities are great. Services are targeted to communities that have high need: active substance users, people who inject drugs (PWIDs), people living with HIV or HCV, sex workers, and other high-risk populations.

Duties include:

Support syringe services and harm reduction services in accordance with state, local and agency guidelines:
* Distribute safer injection supplies
* Provide HCV, HIV, STI prevention education to participants
* Provide overdose education and buprenorphine education to participants
* Conduct overdose prevention training to participants

Conduct a range of behavioral outreach activities to vulnerable populations:
* Conduct individual alcohol and other drug interventions (AOD) with participants; these are client-centered harm and risk reduction interventions that help initiate and maintain positive behavior change and provide the information necessary to take control of their lives and their health.
* Conduct group level interventions with participants; these are client-centered substance use and harm reduction interventions that use group interventions to help participants gain the skills to positively affect their mental/physical health and well-being.
* Conduct substance use screenings and assessments and make referrals to treatment as needed.
* Conduct individual low threshold interventions (LT) with high-risk clients that use harm and risk reduction interventions and principles to decrease risk in drug use, decrease risk in sexual practice and encourage HCV, HIV and STI testing.
* Conduct intakes and assessments and develop service plans in collaboration with the participant and Response Team. These trainings will help participants recognize and respond to opioid overdoses.
* Conduct individual overdose prevention trainings with program participants.
* Conduct outreach to engage clients into behavioral health services.
* Conduct outreach activities to community members foster strong community relations and support for program activities in the communities serviced by the programs.

Other Responsibilities:
* Develop behavioral health referral resources in the service area
* Develop forums to engage participants in program planning and evaluation
* Maintain project paperwork
* Conduct supply inventories
* Attend trainings and project meetings
Responsibilities: Delivers and assists with planning outreach program activities, strengthens partnerships, ensures adherence to policy, and assists with program administration to promote stable and productive relationships between the university and local community. Strives to expand and ensure access to programs, facilities, and educational services to diverse audiences. May assist with tracking and managing the outreach program budget.

• 10% Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• 10% Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• 60% Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
• 5% Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• 5% Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
• 5% May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending
• 5% Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers

Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Preferred
Bachelor's Degree
Specialization in Social Work, Public Health, or related field, is preferred.
Qualifications:
At least one year of work with communities at risk, people living with HCV, AIDS, mental illness, homelessness, or substance use is required. Experience with HIV or HCV outreach testing, harm reduction services, and overdose prevention education is desirable.
License/Certification:
Required
Drivers License - Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards
Travel is required. Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check. See https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#become-authorized-driver(click on "Become an authorized driver;" then click on "Required criteria").
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Terminal, 24 month appointment.
This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding
Salary:
Minimum $49,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
The starting salary for the position is $49,000 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/) and (https://uwmadison.box.com/s/r50myohfvfd15bqltljn0g4laubuz7t0).
Additional Information:
This position will be located at the Rhinelander State office building in Rhinelander, WI.

This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.

Applicants must be comfortable interacting in a respectful and non-judgmental way with people who have a communicable disease and who come from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Personal initiative, the ability to work in an independent and timely manner, strong organizational and verbal/written communication skills, and an interest in public health are necessary for success in this role.

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is currently scheduled to end 9/8/2026 and will require eligibility to work until that time. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a current resume/CV and a cover letter briefly describing your qualifications and experience. You will also be asked to provide contact information for three (3) references, including your current/most recent supervisor during the application process. References will not be contacted without prior notice.
Contact:
Charles Amble
caamble@medicine.wisc.edu
608-265-9049
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Outreach Specialist(OE009)
Department(s):
A53-MEDICAL SCHOOL/MEDICINE/INFECT DIS
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Terminal
Job Number:
304255-AS