Community Outreach Liaison

Overview Of Athena

ATHENA Consulting is an award-winning staffing firm serving state and local governments. Our mission is to make lives better! We make our Clients’ Lives Easier by engaging and supporting our clients and partnering with them to be the most knowledgeable staffing partner. We make our Employees’ Lives Better by identifying and cultivating their talents and matching these talents with our customers’ needs. ATHENA places a high value on customer service, accountability and getting the job done.

Position Summary

We are currently recruiting for a Community Outreach Liaison. This full-time position pays $42.79/hr, and is located in Providence, RI.

The Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) seeks a Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Community Outreach Liaison to expand awareness and participation in the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative.

This supports RFW’s mission to help employers build healthier, more connected, and recovery-supportive workplaces that promote employee well-being, reduce stigma, and improve business outcomes across Rhode Island.

The Community Outreach Liaison will serve as the face of the RFW initiative in the business community—building relationships with employers, delivering presentations, and connecting organizations to the certification process. The role combines marketing, training, and field outreach responsibilities and requires excellent communication, professionalism, and initiative.

This position reports to the BHDDH Program Director, Recovery Friendly Workplace.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 2. Education and Training 3. Communications and Public Engagement 4. Data, Reporting, and Administration

• Outreach, Sales, and Marketing
• Conduct direct outreach to employers, business associations, chambers of commerce, and community partners to promote Recovery Friendly Workplace certification.
• Represent the RFW program at business networking events, conferences, after-hours mixers, and community forums.
• Initiate and manage leads through the full outreach cycle: identify prospects, make contact, conduct introductory meetings, and schedule certification consultations.
• Develop and maintain a statewide network of business contacts using the RFW CRM database; record all outreach and engagement activity.
• Collaborate with the Program Director to transition qualified leads for certification follow-up and technical assistance.
• Develop outreach materials, presentations, and success stories that illustrate the business and social impact of the RFW initiative.
• Deliver presentations and workshops to employers, supervisors, and employees on Recovery Friendly Workplace principles, mental health, and substance use awareness.
• Facilitate training sessions that promote stigma reduction, communication, and workforce well-being.
• Assist employers in fulfilling the training requirements for RFW certification and provide continued education as needed.
• Represent RFW at statewide and regional professional development events, conferences, and summits.
• Provide stories, photos, and written content for social media and newsletter publication, highlighting RFW-certified businesses and community partnerships
• Support the communications team with up-to-date field activity, event coverage, and success metrics.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local chambers, employer associations, and recovery community organizations to advance the RFW mission.
• Maintain accurate contact records, meeting notes, and activity data in the RFW CRM.
• Submit weekly and monthly activity reports summarizing outreach efforts, employer engagement, and training sessions delivered.
• Contribute quarterly and annual program reports, success stories, and grant deliverables.
• Assist in planning and implementing statewide events, recognition ceremonies, and employer learning sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Skills/Abilities

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; able to represent the program professionally to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities with business leaders, HR professionals, and community partners.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, substance use, and recovery-supportive workplace practices.
• Public speaking, facilitation, and presentation experience required.
• Organizational and time-management skills; ability to work independently in the field while collaborating with a small team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, AI tools, and digital communications (Teams, Zoom, social media).
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and professionalism.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel throughout the State of Rhode Island.
• Ability to work occasional early morning, evening, or weekend events
• Ability to multitask and be flexible.
• Highly motivated.
  
  

Education And Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public health, business, marketing, or related field preferred, not required.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in business development, public outreach, or engagement preferred.
• Experience in delivering group presentations or trainings, required.
• Lived experience with recovery from substance use disorder and/or mental health struggle preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with behavioral health, recovery, or workplace wellness initiatives preferred.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Working hours M-F, 8:00am-4:00pm.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
  
  

Successful ATHENA employees will display the following characteristics:

• You strive to be the best in your field currently and in the future.
• You like to make your employer look good.
• You find solutions, where others only see problems.
• You are proactive, you make and meet commitments, and you perform your duties exceedingly well.
• You are aware of the employer’s needs at all times and are well-versed in what you personally and ATHENA can offer them as a whole.
• You have the ability to work with diverse, integrated, deliverable-driven teams to accomplish the larger mission.
  
  

The benefits of working for ATHENA include:

• Support from a team of professionals committed to making your life better.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance available for full- time employment
• Health Savings Account
• Pet insurance.
• 401k with a generous employer match.
• ATHENA paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance for employee.
• Additional Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance for employee, spouses, and children.
• Short and Long Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Easy to use employee self-serve HR portal.
• Sick leave varies by state – be sure to inquire with your Recruiter.
  
  

The statements in this Job Posting are intended to describe the general nature and minimum level of work required. The content should not be construed as a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required to meet the criteria for this position. Upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application for employment is not intended to and does not create a contract or offer of employment and if hired, employment with the company is on an at-will basis and could be terminated at the will of either party.

ATHENA Consulting LLC does not discriminate in hiring based on federally protected classifications to include but not limited to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status or other characteristics protected by law. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

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