Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) seeks up to six temporary individual contractors to serve as Community Outreach Specialists. The specialists focus on reducing personal and systemic substance use-related risks for three priority communities in Southern Berkshire County, MA: BIPOC community members, Spanish speakers, and young adults (18-25) not engaged in full-time college.
The specialists first learn more about the unique needs and interests of these communities, their self-perceived risks from substance use, where they tend to gather, and how they prefer to receive information. They then develop and implement replicable strategies to help these community members protect themselves and each other from substance-related harms and recommend services.

South County Outreach Specialist Solicitation 2025.03.21

• Ideal specialists are socially confident individuals who feel comfortable conversing with a wide range of their fellow community members.
• A background in community engagement and the South Berkshire County community is preferred.
• Prior experience in the harm reduction, treatment, and/or recovery field is encouraged but not required and can be learned during onboarding.
• Priority is given to anyone in the South Berkshires region who self-identifies as coming from at least one of the three communities of focus, those who feel confident in their recovery from Substance Use Disorder, and fully fluent speakers of Spanish and English.
• The specialist will be part of a team that works as individuals, in pairs/ small groups, and/or as a full team. Activities may include, but are not limited to:
o Flyer/ table at public events and resource fairs
o Trainings in churches, bars, restaurants, and other places people gather
o Hold individual and small group conversations

The first month will focus on training and developing a group action plan, followed by a six-month implementation period, then a one-month wrap-up. The specialists will provide regular reporting, along with the successes and challenges of their efforts, to share with the other specialists and the Coordinator in monthly in-person meetings (67 State Road, Great Barrington, MA). The first month will include required weekly in-person meetings.
The specialist role will be from approximately May through December 2025 (approximately eight months). Compensation is approximately $320 per month, up to $2560 total. The estimated time requirement is 10-12 hours/month, though actual hours per month may vary.

The role involves flexibility and is intended to be compatible with existing employment, and much of the work can be done on evenings and weekends. That said, occasional meetings or events may occur during weekday hours. This initiative focuses on community members who may be at lower or moderate risk for substance misuse; specialists are not expected to engage with higher-risk individuals, perform crisis intervention or counseling services, nor engage in activities that may place them at unreasonable risk for harm.

If you have questions or would like to apply, please submit a brief paragraph or two on why you are interested and your background/ experience to Andy Ottoson at aottoson@berkshireplanning.org and Kristany Skorput at
kristany@rural-recovery.org. Resumes and additional support materials are accepted but not required. No phone calls or in-person visits, please.