Outreach and Engagement Specialist I

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit established in 1968, dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. The organization provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, Gateway is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintains high standards.

About the role

Gateway Foundation seeks to hire an Outreach and Engagement Specialist I who will engage individuals in community and field-based settings to assess needs, provide education, and support connection to appropriate services and level of care. This role also involves facilitating access to care by coordinating access to both internal programs and external providers, prioritizing internal organizational services when appropriate to meet patient needs. Other responsibilities include coordinating referrals and facilitating timely care coordination to admissions and program staff, providing follow-up and basic care coordination to reduce barriers to engagement and support service access, conducting outreach activities, developing and maintaining working relationships with referral sources and community organizations, assisting individuals in navigating behavioral health, substance use treatment, and community resources, maintaining accurate and timely documentation of outreach, patient interactions, and referral activities, monitoring outreach and referral activity, and communicating trends, barriers, and opportunities to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Engage individuals in community and field-based settings to assess needs, provide education, and support connection to appropriate services and level of care.
• Facilitate access to care by coordinating access to both internal programs and external providers, prioritizing internal organizational services when appropriate to meet patient needs.
• Carefully coordinate referrals and facilitate timely care coordination to admissions and program staff.
• Provide follow-up and basic care coordination to reduce barriers to engagement and support service access.
• Conduct outreach activities, including community events, site visits, and meetings to promote services and increase awareness.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with referral sources and community organizations.
• Aid individuals in navigating behavioral health, substance use treatment, and community resources.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of outreach, patient interactions, and referral activities.
• Monitor outreach and referral activity and communicate trends, barriers, and opportunities to leadership.
• May be required to maintain billable service hours tied to client engagement, outreach services, and care coordination activities.

Requirements

• A High School Diploma or GED is required; a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marketing, Healthcare Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel locally are required; the ability to transport clients when required or assigned is also necessary.
• A certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage recovery experience to engage patients during their recovery journey.
• Experience working with individuals impacted by substance use disorders and/or mental health conditions in a community, healthcare, or social service setting is preferred.
• Experience in outreach, care coordination, or referral support is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse populations.
• The ability to develop and foster working relationships with referral sources and community partners.
• The ability to assess needs and connect individuals to appropriate services.
• Familiarity with the assigned region, including community resources and service networks, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge.
• Basic proficiency in documentation systems and standard office software.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in writing, including by digital media.
• Ability to stand, walk, and engage in outreach activities for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry materials up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to use a computer and standard office equipment.

Perks of Working in Correctional Healthcare

• Opportunity to make a positive impact on a marginalized population.
• Exposure to diverse patient demographics.
• Focus on driving change, tracking progress, and improving care.
• Development of skills in a unique healthcare setting.

Location and Schedule

Location: St. Louis
Outpatient - 1430 Olive Street, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63103
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation (based on experience and credentials): Range is between $22.40 - $27.34 per hour.
Gateway Foundation conducts annual reviews including merit increases.
Benefits at Gateway Foundation include:
Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
Financial Wellbeing: 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Flexibility and Time Off: 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
9 paid company holidays
Work-life-balance
Personal Development: Training & Development Programs
Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar yeare
Learning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training
Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Gateway Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets.