Outreach Specialist

Are you good at problem solving, communicating effectively on the phone, and handling logistical tasks for large-scale community outreach? Want to help people who need a hand accessing public benefits, child care, and services for those affected by the criminal legal system? Come work with Allegheny County! 

We are seeking several part-time Outreach Specialists who will be responsible for connecting with people who are currently receiving social services or may be eligible for these services. In this customer-facing role, you will be part of a team that provides communication support for several projects within the County Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Analytics and Technology (OAT).

The majority of the work will consist of making phone calls to DHS customers and other community members in order to administer surveys, raise awareness about program eligibility, and recruit participants for DHS-based research studies and pilot evaluations. In addition to phone outreach, the Outreach Specialists will handle other logistical tasks across various OAT projects as needed, such as light data entry and file management.

The strongest candidate will combine excellent phone skills and attention to detail with warmth, persistence, and comfort working with individuals affected by social and legal challenges.

This is a temporary job that will last for at least 6 months. We expect the Outreach Specialist will work 20 to 29 hours per week. The exact schedule is adjustable from week to week to make sure that your hours align with customer availability and project timelines. This position is remote.

Primary responsibilities:

• Conducting large-scale phone outreach campaigns to community members and DHS customers in order to administer surveys, gather feedback, and raise awareness about available services
• Entering clear notes and other key information about outreach activities into Excel spreadsheets, databases, and customer tracking platforms.
• Answering incoming inquiries via phone, email, and text message, and directing customers to appropriate resources
• Meeting with OAT project managers on a regular basis to review outreach goals and progress
• Handling ad hoc logistical tasks for OAT outreach projects, such as preparing mailers and organizing materials

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with people from a wide range of backgrounds
• Ability to conduct a large volume of phone calls using a professional, respectful, and engaging tone of communication
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to follow program recruitment scripts and procedures, schedule follow-up phone calls, and take detailed notes on customer interactions
• Comfort with light data management tasks that involve spreadsheets, databases, scheduling systems, communication tools, and customer tracking platforms
• Strong personal commitment to helping disadvantaged groups and addressing community needs in Allegheny County

Education/experience requirements:

• Experience conducting phone outreach to community members on behalf of a business, nonprofit, or advocacy organization
• Experience providing administrative support and handling operational tasks in an office setting
• High school diploma or equivalent

If hired for this position, you would be an employee of our partner agency, Community Family Advocates working onsite at Allegheny County DHS.

Why DHS?

DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS.It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people.

You can make a big impact here. We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country. But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make their lives better.

“DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.”

-From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER -M/F/V/D