Veterans Suicide Prevention Outreach Specialist

At Heartland Family Service, we are committed to building a culture that is trauma informed and values and celebrates diversity and inclusion. We believe this allows for better service delivery and innovation, as it encourages our employees to bring various experiences and uniqueness to the workplace.

Trauma Informed Care is an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives. Trauma Informed Care also acknowledges the effects of working with trauma survivors on our workforce, and seeks to build collaborative and supportive working environments and relationships.

If you believe in our mission of creating healthy families and communities, and like a fast pace, collaborative and team oriented environment, then Heartland Family Service is the agency for you.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The Veteran Outreach Specialist is a compassionate, mission-driven advocate who connects Veterans experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, social isolation, or barriers to care with the support and resources they need. This position is focused on suicide prevention, veteran advocacy, and community outreach — working to build trust, reduce barriers, and ensure Veterans know that help is available and within reach.

This role is grounded in relationship-building and person-centered support. Whether navigating VA benefits, making a crisis connection, or simply showing up consistently for a Veteran who hasn’t felt seen, the Outreach Specialist is often the first — and most important — point of contact. Veterans and individuals with relevant lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Our Commitment to Veterans

We value the knowledge, resilience, and perspective that Veterans bring to this work. Military service builds skills — leadership, mission focus, teamwork, adaptability, and a commitment to those around you — that translate directly into meaningful impact in this role. We encourage Veterans and candidates with relevant lived experience to apply and welcome applicants whose military service, transferable skills, and personal experience reflect a commitment to serving others. We are proud to support those who have served.

Compensation: Salary is determined by total years of relevant experience
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Veteran status and/or military experience strongly preferred; lived experience navigating military transition, veteran services, mental health challenges, or recovery is highly valued.
• Experience supporting Veterans, individuals experiencing mental health challenges, or populations with complex needs preferred.
• Knowledge of VA benefits, suicide prevention resources, and community services is beneficial; a genuine willingness to learn is essential.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to engage Veterans with empathy, respect, and a nonjudgmental approach.
• Ability to work independently in community settings and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Relevant education, military service, peer support certification, or a combination of equivalent professional and lived experience will be considered.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required for community-based work.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold professional boundaries in all interactions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct community-based outreach to engage Veterans and connect them with mental health services, crisis resources, VA benefits, housing assistance, and other appropriate support.
• Promote suicide prevention awareness in the community, reducing stigma and encouraging Veterans to seek help before reaching a point of crisis.
• Build trusting, ongoing relationships with Veterans that encourage help-seeking, social connection, and continued engagement in care.
• Assist Veterans in navigating VA benefits, healthcare systems, housing programs, and local, state, and federal Veteran service programs.
• Coordinate referrals and collaborate with case managers, community support workers, veteran service officers, and community organizations to ensure Veterans receive comprehensive, coordinated care.
• Advocate for Veterans experiencing barriers to services and maintain accurate, timely documentation of outreach activities, referrals, and follow-up contacts.
• Follow agency protocols when addressing safety concerns, coordinating crisis referrals, and reporting critical incidents.
• Participate in community events, coalitions, and collaborative meetings related to Veteran services and suicide prevention.
• Display a courteous and caring attitude at all times toward Veterans, clients, volunteers, visitors, and staff.
• Cooperate and collaborate with program area staff, volunteers, and other agency staff.
• Demonstrate dependability and punctuality regarding scheduling and attendance.
• Abide by all agency and program procedures, policies, and requirements.
• Develop personal and program-related skills through participation in internal and external training opportunities.
• Create, maintain, and share, as appropriate, a dynamic self-care plan.
• Strive to build connections between the agency and the larger community to support ongoing fundraising and friend-raising efforts.
• Essential functions of this job are to be performed both on the company physical work site and in community settings.
• Perform other program-related duties as assigned.