C.A.R.E.S Team Coordinator

Department: Public Health | Employment Type: Full-time/Non-Exempt | Union: Supervisory and Professional Union

About the role

The C.A.R.E.S (Community, Action, Recovery, Engagement, and Support) Team Coordinator provides culturally responsive, peer-informed outreach, engagement, and service navigation to Pittsfield residents who may be disconnected from services or experiencing barriers to care. Under the general supervision of the Community Health Program Manager and working in close collaboration with the Public Health Nurse Manager, this position supports the Pittsfield Health Department’s Peer Support Outreach Program through mobile, street-level, and community-based engagement. The role focuses on building trust, providing voluntary support, strengthening service connection, and advancing health, well-being, and community stability across Pittsfield. Continued employment in this position is dependent on the availability of grant funding.

Responsibilities

• Conduct peer-informed, mobile, street-level, and community-based outreach throughout the City of Pittsfield including in public spaces, community sites, and other settings where residents may be disconnected from services.
• Build trust and supportive relationships through consistent, respectful, voluntary, and nonjudgmental engagement.
• Provide emotional support, peer-informed encouragement, active listening, and strength-based engagement to residents experiencing housing instability, substance use challenges, behavioral health concerns, social isolation, or other barriers to care.
• Provide information, referrals, and service navigation related to housing, shelter, food, hygiene resources, behavioral health, recovery support, primary care, benefits, transportation, and other community resources.
• Support residents in identifying personal goals, strengths, barriers, and next steps using a person-centered and recovery-oriented approach.
• Follow up on referrals and outreach contacts to help improve engagement and service connection.
• Assist residents with navigating systems and appointments and, when appropriate and consistent with program policy, accompany individuals to meetings or service appointments.
• Promote awareness and use of key community resources, including The First, and other local providers and supports.
• Respond to outreach requests and referrals from community partners and municipal departments, residents, businesses, and other sources for non-emergency support and service connection.
• Use trauma-informed communication, de-escalation, and conflict-resolution skills to support difficult situations and reduce barriers to engagement.
• Coordinate with community partners and municipal departments, and service providers to support referrals, follow-up, and continuity of care.
• Document outreach activity, referrals, follow-up, and other required information in the department’s designated data system in a timely, accurate, and organized manner.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, supervision, training, case review, and program evaluation activities.
• Assist with outreach materials, public education, and community engagement efforts that reduce stigma and increase awareness of supports and services.
• Observe and communicate public health and community-condition concerns encountered in the field to support coordinated follow-up.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards in all interactions.
• Remain current on all referral sources, including but not limited to housing, substance abuse services, behavioral health, nutrition services, peer programs, Mass Health/Healthy Start, advocacy services, and transportation.
• Perform other public health and human services assignments as assigned or required.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Two to three years of experience in community outreach, peer or recovery support, behavioral health, homeless services, harm reduction, crisis support, human services, public health, or service navigation.
• Equivalent combinations of work experience, volunteer experience, and relevant lived or living experience will be considered.
• Lived or living experiences relevant to recovery, behavioral health, homelessness, or navigating complex service systems is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with vulnerable, underserved, or historically marginalized populations preferred.
• Certified community health workers, recovery coach academy training, peer support certification, or related credential preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Willingness to complete required peer support, outreach, and/or community health worker training, and/or related training as assigned.
• Knowledge of local resources related to housing, substance use services, behavioral health, food access, benefits, transportation, and other community supports preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a small team environment, including coordinating daily outreach activities with co-workers and communicating regularly with supervisory staff to support consistent high-quality service delivery.
• Proficient computer skills, including use of various software programs unique to the public health department as well as Microsoft Office 365, Canva, and virtual meeting programs.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills in order to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Ability to deal effectively with the public, staff, outside agencies and organizations, elected officials, and media.

Working Conditions

The characteristics described here are representative of those that the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations are considered to ensure individuals with disabilities can perform essential functions.

• Work is performed in a combination of office, community, and field-based settings.
• The position requires regular mobile and community-based outreach, including walking, standing, traveling in vehicles, engaging with residents in outdoor settings, and public spaces during all seasons and varying weather conditions.
• The position may involve exposure to stressful situations and requires the use of sound judgment, safety awareness, and trauma-informed practices.
• Some schedule flexibility including occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on program needs.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations are considered to ensure individuals with disabilities can perform essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk, or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, or balance, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must lift, push, or pull up to 25 lbs.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 35 hours per week: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Pay

Starting rate: $32.41 an hour. Annual increases up to $46.21 an hour.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Up to 14 paid Holidays
• Personal Days
• Vacation Time
• Earned Sick Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement