Picturesque Cumberland County is the State’s most populous county having a population of 305,000. Its largest city is Portland and the county geographically extends from Casco Bay to the Lakes Region. Cumberland County has the second largest body of water in the state, Sebago Lake, which provides numerous recreational opportunities. The County is the economic and industrial center of the state, having a strong corporate presence of major domestic and international companies. The County has over 350 dedicated employees, all focused on providing the best customer service to the County residents. Cumberland County is represented by five elected county commissioners and the county manager runs the daily operations. 

JOB PURPOSE:  The Behavioral Public Health Coordinator will support the rollout of community-driven action plans to improve health outcomes for people who use drugs (PWUD) and have criminal legal system involvement in Cumberland County. This part-time (20 hours/week), two-year, grant-funded position—supported by the Maine Health Access Foundation—will work alongside the Behavioral Public Health Manager and will focus on strengthening reentry supports, peer-led services and care coordination Cumberland County Jail and community providers. Pay is based on experience with a range of $31.08-$31.69/hr.  Please note, applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.  This is not a direct service role. The Coordinator will help create the conditions for collaboration – convening partners, organizing logistics, and making sure people with lived experience are central to everything we do. People with lived experience of incarceration, recovery, or community-based care are especially encouraged to apply. 

The community action plans are grounded in community priorities identified through a rigorous engagement process, including a 1.5-day workshop held in March 2024 with support from the SAMHSA GAINS Center. The workshop brought together over 80 community partners representing behavioral health, the criminal legal system, community support services, and people with lived experience.

The Coordinator will assist in convening and supporting a reentry task force, support efforts to expand peer support services and care coordination between jail and community partners, and ensure that people with lived experience remain central to the project’s design, implementation, and evaluation.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in health education, social services, political science, health education, public policy, or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training to meet selection criteria.
• Experience in public health, behavioral health, harm reduction, health education.
• Working knowledge of community resources and services
• Courtesy, dependability, good judgment and possesses a high ethical standard - all of which are required
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of community representatives including people with criminal legal system involvement, behavioral health providers, criminal legal system professionals, state and local government workers, social services, and community-based organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations.
• Knowledge and skills in community engagement strategies in public health practice.
• Excellent ability to communicate to individuals and groups both verbally and in writing
• Experience developing health related outreach and educational materials, including brochures, fact sheets, presentations and other educational items for public dissemination.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Task Force Development & Coordination

• Assist in organizing a reentry task force of stakeholders including CCJ, public health, behavioral health, peer support, recovery, treatment, housing, and criminal legal system partners.
• Assist in scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, capturing meeting minutes, and following up on action items.
• Seek out and mobilize training and technical assistance resources as needed to support task force goals.

Peer Support Expansion

• Engage and support peer-led organizations and efforts to increase the availability of peer support for reentry.
• Conduct an inventory of existing peer services and identify gaps related to reentry support.
• Support efforts in increasing jail access for peer navigators.
• Connect peer providers with external training, mentorship, and technical assistance.

Care Coordination

• Support adoption and implementation of shared reentry planning tools across agencies.
• Support collaboration between jail and community-based partners to ensure warm handoffs at the time of release.
• Attend and support collaborative, comprehensive case conferencing meetings at CCJ focused on wraparound care for residents with complex needs.

Community Engagement

• Coordinate and provide regular updates to an Advisory Council of people with lived experience, ensuring that community input shapes all aspects of implementation.
• Ensure people with lived experience remain central to the design, decision-making, and evaluation of the project.
• Assist with qualitative data collection (e.g., key informant interviews, listening sessions) and community surveys.

Cumberland County offers an excellent and comprehensive benefits package and is proud of its talented and dedicated workforce. Come join our team and culture of engaged employees. Our strong management team is dedicated to providing employees with inspiring leadership, a positive and friendly workplace, support, encouragement and the necessary tools for success. We offer tuition reimbursement, wellness program, and professional development and training opportunities.

This position is 20 hours per week, with a limited benefits package.  Pay is based on experience with a range of $31.08-$31.69/hr.

Position will remain open until filled.  To apply, please visit: https://cumberlandcountygovernment.applytojob.com/apply/HtJt1yYuOa/Behavioral-Public-Health-Coordinator 

Cumberland County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected Veteran status.