OPIOID TASK FORCE CONNECT OUTREACH MANAGER

Job Description

The Opioid Task Force (Opioid Task Force), based in Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region of Western Massachusetts, is a 400-member cross-sector community collaboration made up of healthcare providers, court staff, elected officials, law enforcement, people in recovery, school staff, treatment providers, public health professionals, and other community stakeholders. Formed in September 2013, the Opioid Task Force has been at the forefront of addressing the opioid crisis locally by facilitating collaborative efforts directed at prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery. Our mission is to ensure that public and private partners within the Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region work together to help reduce prescription opioid and heroin addiction, prevent overdose deaths, help more people get treatment to recover from opioid addiction and improve the quality of life in our community.

To ensure the Opioid Task Force can be successful in its aim to prevent overdose deaths, it has secured federal and state funding to implement a post-opioid overdose community outreach and follow-up program to reduce the number of opioid-related fatalities, which has claimed the lives of 280 individuals in the Franklin County and North Quabbin Region between 2012 and 2023.

Due to the extensive nature of the Opioid Task Force’s work and its intention to be responsive to the community's needs to address this urgent public health crisis, the responsibilities of the CONNECT Outreach Manager are below, and they may vary.

General Description

The Outreach Manager will lead the Community Opportunity, Network, Navigation, Exploration, and Connection Team (CONNECT). This position is a direct report to the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region Coordinator, the designated Project Director for the project and housed at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. This position is also accountable to the Opioid Task Force Executive Council and its Public Safety and Justice Committee, which acts in the capacity of CONNECT’s Advisory Council.

Essential Job Functions by Category

Due to the extensive nature of CONNECT’s work and its intention to be responsive to the needs of Franklin County/North Quabbin communities to address this urgent public health crisis, the Outreach Manager's responsibilities are below. Duties may include but are not limited to the following over a 37.5-hour work week, which may vary week-to-week.

CONNECT Project Management and Community Outreach (15.5 hours per week)

• Coordinates CONNECT, the first opioid overdose response team, created to serve the 30-town rural region of Franklin County and the North Quabbin through an evidence-based hub and spoke model that oversees the effective implementation of comprehensive, evidence-based care (e.g., case management, peer support, trauma-informed practices) to connect individuals and children to child welfare, community-based services, treatment, and recovery supports.
• Ensures the timely implementation of grant-funded deliverables.
• Ensures the equitable expansion of Naloxone availability and appropriate use by first responders and law enforcement focusing on Naloxone deserts in the region.
• Coordinates meetings and activities of CONNECT and its workgroups and prepares appropriate materials for meetings.
• Coordinates community outreach activities and events, including effectively deploying the CONNECT mobile outreach van.
• Confers with participating agencies, including schools, juvenile courts, law enforcement officials, probation officers, government agencies, local/state/multijurisdictional elected officials, grassroots groups, and others.
• Staff CONNECT meetings, including the development of agendas
• Provide report and presentation research for the CONNECT Project.
• Respond to emails, phone calls, and in-person inquiries regarding the CONNECT Project.

CONNECT Communications (10 hours per week)

• Maintain CONNECT’s social media platforms.
• Create quarterly CONNECT newsletters.
• Create presentations, flyers, and other print materials to help share information about the CONNECT Project.

CONNECT Reporting and Evaluation (7 hours per week)

• Works in concert with CONNECT’s evaluation partners to support real-time data collection, analysis, and dissemination of key data points to reduce opioid-related deaths, including updating CONNECT partners on progress and challenges.
• Coordinates, monitors, and assists with all data collection and compiling information required for internal and external data reports.
• Coordinates and/or performs the completion and submission of quarterly and annual reports in concert with the CONNECT Project Director.

CONNECT Project Conferences, Training, or Event Support (5 hours per week)

• Provides technical assistance and training to the 30 communities of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region to support the implementation of identified data-driven strategies, including data analysis and project effectiveness.
• Work with the Opioid Task Force coordinator and project members to plan and organize logistics for project-related conferences and events.
• Examples of tasks include:
• Manage attendee registration process, including set-up.

o Assist with event exhibitors (e.g., resource tables), including developing marketing materials, strong customer service leading up to the event with the public, and serving as the primary on-site point-of-contact.

o Assist with the production of conference materials, including the design of event and conference materials, supply ordering, developing and printing materials, folder production, etc.

o Arrange travel for members, presenters, and staff as needed.

o Provide on-site staff support at conferences and meetings, as needed. Available to work evenings/weekends, if required.

o Provide on-site AV tech support, as needed.

o Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Other substantive tasks may be assigned based on demonstrated abilities.

Qualifications

Desired Knowledge:

• Familiarity with Franklin County/North Quabbin local, county, state, multi-jurisdictional agencies (schools, social services, law enforcement, courts, corrections), local/county/state/multidisciplinary government units, and grassroots organizations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of strategic planning.
• Basic understanding of the opioid epidemic.
• Basic knowledge of opioid use and misuse and related activities.
• Experience in program planning evaluation, including understanding statistical principles and data analysis.
• Experience and familiarity with public health approaches and the relationship between law enforcement and public safety.
• Knowledge of Social Determinants of Health.
• Experience using data to inform the development of interventions/projects.

Ability to:

• Network effectively with various organizations, including government agencies, law enforcement agencies, schools, and social service agencies, courts/probation/corrections, and grassroots organizations.
• Demonstrate organizational, administration, personnel, and project management skills.
• Demonstrate ability to drive or learn how to drive a Ford Transit van to conduct mobile outreach activities.
• Work effectively with key community leaders and residents, diverse population groups, community members affected by opioid misuse, and youth.
• Identify community resources to assist in the implementation of the initiative.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project the consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations to support initiative goals.
• Gain cooperation and collaboration through discussion and consensus.
• Exercise judgment regarding appropriate information sharing, confidentiality requirements, and human relations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Skilled in providing presentations to diverse audiences.
• Provide education and awareness presentations on the impact of the opioid epidemic.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during work; experience and sensitivity in working with diverse populations in various community and organizational settings.
• Set priorities and work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Demonstrate proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Has organizational astuteness and is adept at managing processes.
• Skilled in change management and process/practice improvement.
• Supports innovation.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills are required.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize information succinctly.

Required Education and Credentials

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in public health, public policy and administration, or criminal justice with a minimum of two years of experience working in public health and/or community settings. Master’s degree in public health, public policy, and administration or criminal justice is a plus. Previous experience working to address the opioid crisis in several settings, as well as experience in community-based strategic planning, is also a plus. Having a valid driver’s license is required.

Salary Range

The annual salary range of $62,000 - $65,000. This is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week with benefits outlined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This is a three-year grant-funded position with the possibility of continued employment subject to additional grant funding. The successful candidate is expected to make a minimum of a two-year commitment to the position.

Start Date

No later than Monday, June 10, 2024.

Reporting/Supervision

This position directly reports to the Coordinator of the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region, housed at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. It is also accountable to the Opioid Task Force Executive Council and its Public Safety and Justice Committee. All candidates must also complete the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Application for Employment and are subject to CORI checks.

Location of Employment

This position is at the Franklin County Justice Center, 43 Hope Street, Greenfield, MA. The Opioid Task Force’s office is located within the Court Service Center on the first floor. This is a shared office space. This position will be hybrid, with an expectation of coming into the office at least one day per week.

Deadline

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and completed job application to Cathy Emery, Office and Data Manager, Opioid Task Force, by email at by Friday, May 17, 2024, by 5 PM. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides equal opportunity in state employment to all persons. No person shall be denied equal access because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or physical/mental disability.

The information in this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list. It is descriptive and not restrictive in nature; therefore, nothing shall preclude the assignment of additional duties, qualifications, entrance requirements, etc., as determined by the Opioid Task Force in concert with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $62,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• All applications are required to submit a cover letter with the submission of the required resume.

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Greenfield, MA 01301