Community Outreach Coordinator

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health SOAR (State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience) Study is seeking a Senior Community Engagement Coordinator to assist in the implementation of a Community Awareness, Outreach and Engagement Plan across the State of Ohio. The overall goal of this initiative is to seek to understand root causes of mental illness, persistent distress and drug addiction and abuse in an effort to identify modifiable risk factors to promote resilience. This phase of the work starts in Ontario, Ohio and will continue to engage multiple stakeholders and sites across the State of Ohio. As part of this project, this position will work with SOAR Investigators and Team members as well as community representatives across a wide range of sectors involved in mental health and substance abuse (state agencies, community leaders, public health, justice, law enforcement etc.) to promote awareness of the SOAR project to potential participants as well as outreach efforts to encourage individuals from the community to express their concerns, wants and needs related to mental health issues. The Senior Community Engagement Coordinator is the primary contact and serves as the person responsible for managing all SOAR Awareness, Outreach and Engagement activities; facilitating the SOAR initiative within the community as well as with partner sites. This includes intake of potential collaborators, outreach to and coordination with other community engagement liaisons within partner sites and their communities, scheduling and attending community events, overseeing student and volunteer initiatives, scheduling and preparing materials for speaking engagements for investigators, assisting with any recruitment activities such as website, social media, advertisements as well as ribbon cuttings for mobile site locations. The Senior Community Engagement Coordinator will be responsible for representing the SOAR Initiative to the community, facilitating organizational and community discussions around the project and assisting research staff to engage community stakeholders and members in discussions related to the project and its implementation. A successful candidate will be skilled in developing strong relationships, community engagement and facilitation. The position is minimum of 50% in-state travel and requires evenings and weekends. Valid Ohio Drivers license, reliable transportation and willingness to use for statewide travel; ability to work some evenings and weekends.

Requires successful completion of a background check. Selected candidates may be required to complete a pre-employment physical including a drug screen.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of experience in an organization conducting community-based projects required.

Preferred Education

Master's degree in field related to social science research preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong communication, interpersonal and outreach skills as well as experience working successfully with local community partners; familiarity with local culture; Valid Ohio Drivers license, reliable transportation and willingness to use for statewide travel; ability to work some evenings and weekends.