Community Outreach Worker Contractual

Community Outreach Worker I (COW I)

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of Maryland is recruiting for a Community Outreach Worker I (COW I). The selected incumbent will become a member of a study team that will conduct a research study aimed at improving engagement in care and treatment outcomes for people with opioid use disorder. The COW I will be exclusively assigned to support recruitment and retention efforts.

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension). Non‑exempt regular staff receive a generous paid leave package that starts with 14 days of vacation accrued per year, 16 paid holidays, 3 personal leave days, unlimited accrual of sick time, and time for community service;

comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

• Conduct outreach, general education, and engagement activities to identify and recruit study participants.
• Recruit study participants and provide assistance with tracking and maintaining contact with participants after enrollment to support high retention rates in research follow‑up assessments.
• Participate in and successfully complete training requirements.
• Update database and log information for outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow‑up activities.
• Engage in outreach, education, and participant recruitment activities at community and social service agencies such as food distribution sites, needle and syringe exchange programs, health clinics, hospital emergency departments, and health fairs or other community events.
• Understand and adhere to confidentiality and privacy protections for persons with opioid or other substance use disorders and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Attend local or national meetings and conferences to discuss peer outreach activities, practices, and disseminate research results.
• Meet regularly with the study team to assist with tracking outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow‑up activities and address recruitment and data retention issues.
• Attend all scheduled or required meetings with the site Project Director or other study leadership team.

The intent of this list of primary duties is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this job. Incumbents will perform other related duties assigned. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based on departmental needs.

• Education: High‑school diploma or GED.
• Experience: None. Lived experience with opioid or other substance use disorders is strongly preferred.
• Other: In addition to qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year‑for‑year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Operate computers and other office equipment, including writing reports and maintaining records.
• Work in extreme weather conditions and perform extensive standing and walking.
• Handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and tact.
• Interact with the public, healthcare providers, community organizations, and social service agencies.
• Maintain poise and courtesy under pressure.
• Demonstrate knowledge of opioid or other substance use disorders.
• Engage with diverse individuals in various community settings and locations.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
• Prioritize, organize, and complete tasks and responsibilities timely and by deadlines.
• Work…