Community Ambassador (Casual I)

The Opioid Abatement Strategies Effectiveness Evaluation (OASEE) has an opening for a Community Ambassador (Casual I), reporting to the Senior Research Associate in Chicago. This is a short-term, primarily remote casual position (per diem) through June 30, 2026. The Community Ambassador will work with a team on an evaluation project specifically related to opioid overdose prevention, response, and recovery in the state of Illinois.

This person in this position is expected to have experience and/or knowledge of substance use disorder and the delivery of related services in the community. For this position, we prioritize individuals who have lived and living recovery experience as well as some education around harm reduction, substance use challenges, mental health and/or recovery.

EDC casual employees generally work as needed. A casual position receives statutory benefits of Social Security contributions, Medicare contributions, unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation insurance and sick leave. A casual position ends when work is complete. 

You will:

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with others; and to work respectfully with colleagues. Under general management guidance, the Community Ambassador will work with a team on an evaluation capacity building project in Illinois, by:

• Completing evaluation planning, including designing research and evaluation activities, tools, and protocols
• Conducting data collection, including recruiting for and administering surveys as well as conducting interviews and focus groups
• Conducting data interpretation and analysis
• Assisting with writing, editing materials, and developing recommendations, presentations, and brief reports to disseminate evaluation findings
• Assisting in technical assistance related to evaluation project, including community outreach and engagement with partners and capacity building with community-based agencies
• Participating in engagement and relationship-building with organizations that serve the recovery community in southern Illinois as well as individuals who receive services from these organizations
• Collaborating with team staff to conduct work
• Integrating community-based perspectives and lived experiences into evaluation project activities and project deliverables
• Participating in primarily virtual weekly staff team meetings on Teams and video conferencing software
• Traveling once yearly for meetings, trainings, and/or conferences in Illinois