Community Outreach Liaison - Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative

Job Description

Job Description

Community Outreach Liaison – Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative

Location: Rhode Island – Statewide Travel Required
Schedule: Full-Time, 35 Hours per Week
Employment Type: Contract Position
Division: Behavioral Healthcare – Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative

Make a Difference in Rhode Island’s Workplaces

The State of Rhode Island’s Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) is seeking an engaging and motivated Community Outreach Liaison to support its Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiative.

The RFW initiative helps Rhode Island employers create healthier, more connected, and recovery-supportive workplaces. The program promotes employee well-being, reduces the stigma associated with substance use and mental health challenges, and helps participating organizations improve workforce engagement and business outcomes.

The Community Outreach Liaison will serve as a visible representative of the initiative throughout Rhode Island. This position combines community outreach, relationship building, business development, public speaking, marketing, training, and program administration .

The ideal candidate is an outgoing, mission-driven professional who enjoys meeting new people, delivering presentations, attending community events, and building lasting relationships with employers and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

Employer Outreach and Relationship Development

• Conduct direct outreach to employers, business associations, chambers of commerce, and community organizations.
• Promote the benefits of Recovery Friendly Workplace certification.
• Identify prospective participating employers and manage leads throughout the outreach process.
• Contact prospective employers, conduct introductory meetings, and schedule certification consultations.
• Build and maintain a statewide network of business leaders, human resources professionals, and community partners.
• Represent the initiative at networking events, conferences, business mixers, community forums, and professional gatherings.
• Collaborate with the Program Director to transition qualified employers into the certification and technical-assistance process.
• Develop presentations, outreach materials, and success stories that demonstrate the business and community impact of the initiative.

Presentations, Education and Training

• Deliver presentations and workshops to employers, supervisors, and employees.
• Provide education related to Recovery Friendly Workplace principles, mental health, substance use awareness, workforce well-being, and stigma reduction.
• Facilitate engaging training sessions that promote supportive communication and healthier workplace practices.
• Help employers complete the training requirements associated with RFW certification.
• Provide continued education and support to participating employers as needed.
• Represent the program at statewide and regional conferences, summits, and professional-development events.

Communications and Public Engagement

• Gather stories, photographs, event information, and written content for newsletters and social media.
• Highlight certified employers, community partnerships, and program accomplishments.
• Provide the communications team with timely updates regarding outreach activity, events, employer engagement, and program success.
• Maintain productive relationships with chambers of commerce, employer associations, recovery organizations, and other community partners.

Data, Reporting and Program Support

• Maintain accurate employer contact information, meeting notes, and outreach activity in the program’s CRM system.
• Document leads, follow-up activity, employer engagement, and certification progress.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports summarizing outreach, meetings, presentations, and training sessions.
• Contribute to quarterly and annual program reports, grant deliverables, and success stories.
• Assist with the planning and coordination of statewide events, employer recognition ceremonies, and learning sessions.
• Perform additional related duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public health, business, marketing, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Three or more years of experience in business development, sales, community outreach, public engagement, marketing, or a related area is preferred.
• Experience delivering presentations, workshops, or group training is required.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, substance use, mental health, recovery, or workplace wellness programs is strongly preferred.
• Lived experience with recovery from a substance use disorder and/or mental health challenge is preferred.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel throughout Rhode Island are required.
• Availability to attend occasional early-morning, evening, or weekend events is required.

Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong public-speaking, presentation, and facilitation abilities.
• Confidence representing a statewide initiative before employers, business leaders, HR professionals, and community groups.
• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to initiate conversations and develop new employer partnerships.
• Strong organizational, follow-up, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently in the field while collaborating with a small program team.
• Demonstrated professionalism, creativity, initiative, and sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM systems, artificial intelligence tools, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, social media, and other digital communication platforms.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and meet established reporting deadlines.

Work Schedule and Environment

This position combines office, field, and limited remote work. The Community Outreach Liaison will regularly travel throughout Rhode Island to meet with employers, deliver presentations, and participate in business and community events.

The initial schedule requires four days per week in the office . One approved work-from-home day may be available following successful completion of the six-month probationary period.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Help Rhode Island employers create healthier and more supportive workplaces.
• Build meaningful partnerships with businesses and community organizations throughout the state.
• Deliver education that reduces stigma and strengthens workforce well-being.
• Join a mission-driven initiative with a direct and measurable impact on Rhode Island communities.

Apply today if you are an energetic relationship builder, confident public speaker, and compassionate professional who wants to make a positive difference in Rhode Island’s workplaces.

Your Complete Satisfaction is Our Number One Goal
Since 1978, we have specialized in supplying temporary and direct hire staffing to Rhode Island corporations of all types - including banks, hospitals, manufacturing firms, colleges, professional and legal firms, and governmental agencies.

Company Description

Your Complete Satisfaction is Our Number One Goal\r\nSince 1978, we have specialized in supplying temporary and direct hire staffing to Rhode Island corporations of all types - including banks, hospitals, manufacturing firms, colleges, professional and legal firms, and governmental agencies.