Overview of the Community Outreach Specialist
At Wayspring, we’re committed to making healthcare more accessible for people who need it most. As a Community Outreach Specialist, you’ll play a key role in connecting individuals to the support and services we offer, helping them take the first step toward better health. You’ll reach out to eligible members in the community, often those who may be harder to reach or currently disengaged from care. This role is a great fit for someone who’s personable, adaptable, and comfortable navigating a variety of community settings. Your communication skills and compassion will help build trust and open doors for those who may feel left out of the healthcare system. This isn’t just outreach—it’s connection, trust-building, and creating a ripple of change in people’s lives. If you’re looking for a meaningful role where you can support others and make a difference in your local community, we’d love to speak with you.
This role requires regular daytime travel to meet members in the greater Chicagoland area - mileage reimbursement is included!
We are passionate about breaking barriers alongside those facing substance use disorder. Whether you’re in the field or in the corporate office – our mission is felt, and your impact is recognized. There is no inner circle, and we all have a seat at the table. Leaders are accessible and silos are avoided. We respect your craft and love to be challenged. We invest not only in our mission, but in each other. Internal promotions and cross departmental trainings are the norm – you grow, we grow. At Wayspring, we don’t just see you as an employee, we see you for who you are. a whole-person – with hobbies, pets, families, and lives outside of work. Our flexible schedule and flexible work environment options help you to create and maintain the work-life balance you need most.
Responsibilities of the Community Outreach Specialist
- Facilitates and secures enrollments from members in the community to participate in Wayspring’s services
- Acts quickly to assess member needs and triage accordingly
- Successfully engages members and provides them with an educational overview of Wayspring’s service offerings
- Secures verbal and written consent, and obtains appropriate paperwork for services, including consent to clinic services and release of information forms, from members to participate in Wayspring’s services
- Secures members’ first appointment with clinical services
- Provides frequent touchpoints to enrolled caseload and ability to assess individual member needs to determine the frequency of touchpoints needed ongoing
- Initiates creative strategies to facilitate member contact
- Incorporates recovery support and hard reduction themes into engagement
- Regularly reviews member profile for SDoH and clinical updates
- Maintains performance accountability around member enrollment and clinic conversion, and achieves performance targets
- Adheres to Wayspring information security and privacy requirements
Requirements & Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a community outreach role, with preferred experience around street outreach
- Bachelor’s degree or work experience equivalent in a relevant field
- Demonstrated ability working in a matrixed environment
- The ability to communicate effectively and persuasively is required
- Exceptional verbal communication skills
- Exceptional verbal de-escalation skills and crisis management
- Experience with CRM platforms is preferred
- Ability to travel as business needs require (community-based role). Mileage reimbursement is provided.
Our goal is to foster a workplace where everyone feels a true sense of belonging, is supported, and empowered to thrive. We actively seek different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences—because we believe that drives better performance and innovation. We’re committed to identifying and removing barriers for the communities we serve.
Creating a great employee experience takes more than just perks—but let’s be real, those matter too. Here’s how we’re building a company where you, your family, your pets, and your passions can thrive
