1199NE Training and Upgrading Fund

Outreach Specialist

Based in Hartford, CT
(hybrid)

 

Job Title: Outreach Specialist (OS) 
Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt; Full time exempt; must be available for occasional evening and weekend work to be accessible to second and third shift and weekend workers
In-Person, On-the-road in Nursing Homes, Virtual
Compensation: Starting at $68,000 (prior related work experience considered); includes generous benefit package
Reports to: Executive Director and/or designee

Application Process:

• Please email cover letter, resume, 2 references no later than 2/2/2026 to Training Fund Staff at JobApps@1199trainingfund.org 
• Letters can be addressed to Linda Vannoni, Executive Director of 1199NE-TUF
• Put YOUR NAME & the JOB TITLE you are applying for in the SUBJECT line of your email AND in your cover letter.
• Upon emailing your above materials, you will immediately receive a message confirming receipt. 

*Note: TUF staff will not be able to otherwise monitor or respond to your email until after 2/2/26. After reviewing applications, TUF staff will reach out via email if you are being considered for a 1st interview no later than 2/18/26. All applicants will receive an email regardless by 2/18/26. Thank you for your understanding and patience. ***

Statement of Job Purpose
The 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund, a labor/management training program for S.E.I.U. 1199 New England’s unionized healthcare workers at Connecticut and Rhode Island nursing homes, hospitals, and other health care facilities, is seeking to hire an Outreach Specialist (OS). The mission of the Fund is to support working adult learners (member-students) who work in health care to attend various types of educational programs (ex. workshops, trainings, certificate programs, community college and university level B.A., M.A., etc.) which elevate their skills enabling them to gain better paying employment within the 1199NE unionized health care industry in the states of CT and RI. As part of a progressive union, the Training Fund seeks to advance the livelihoods of 1199 NE caregivers and the people they care for. As part of this mission the OS will walk and talk weekly throughout the Union’s health care facilities (nursing homes, hospitals and others in CT & occasionally RI) to encourage unionized health care workers to access and utilize educational benefits of the Fund. This role is significantly a social justice marketing role as well as a field career and college counselor for adult working people. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The OS will weekly: 

• Visit assigned nursing homes, hospitals and other unionized health care facilities as assigned in mostly CT, though sometimes RI, weekly (ex. Tuesday – Thursday are “field days” Monday and Friday are “office days”) year-round to distribute information about Fund programs and benefits, recruit for classes and programs, and answer member and employer questions. Current benefits and programs include:
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Adult Education classes
  • Mental Health First Aid Training
  • Annual conferences
  • Graduation Events
  • Paid Virtual Trainings
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Others TBD
• Work with Fund and Union staff to identify, train and support Fund “Ambassadors" (TFA) in assigned nursing homes and facilities. The TFAs are members who are enthusiastic about the Training Fund and take responsibility to publicize the Fund programs and benefits to their co-workers and to recruit and support their co-workers to deeply access the Fund benefits.

General Duties and Responsibilities
The OS will:

• Outreach to members significantly in person, but also using email, text messaging and phone calling members, at assigned nursing homes and other assigned facilities regarding Fund benefits & programs.
  • Document all contacts with members in the Fund's Salesforce database
  • Enroll members to in-person and virtual training programs, entering these enrollments into the Fund's database
• Work closely with Labor-Management Training staff and consultants to ensure success of Labor-Management training projects. Duties may include:
  • Helping with scheduling trainings in and outside of Hartford around CT 
  • Working with the Union and Management to recruit members to attend programs at their nursing homes and elsewhere around the state
  • Other tasks TBD
• Work closely with the Fund College and Career Counselor including:
  • Recruiting and supporting members interested in the Fund's Adult Education classes such as LPN/College Prep. 
  • Referring members to local Adult Education Centers as appropriate, if the Fund does not offer classes that meet their needs/wants.
  • Setting up Regional Adult Education partnerships with local institutions so members can attend in-person meetings with the Fund’s College and Career Counselor as well as access educational programs and supports via the institution. 
• The OS will also perform other duties as assigned by the Associate and Executive Director.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, bachelor’s degree in human services, healthcare, labor, or related field is preferred. 
• Minimum three (3) years outreach experience is preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills (spoken and written) is preferred
• Background in community organizing or union organizing is a plus
• Background as a healthcare worker, and/or a member of District 1199 is a plus
• Deep commitment to racial, economic, and worker justice is required
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership and teamwork skills are required
• Proficient technology skills required (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Zoom and Salesforce of other database systems); interviews will include a real-time skills test.
• Prior experience in using database analytics for running reports, data quality control and maintenance is required
• Strong administrative skills with excellent attention to detail; ability to facilitate multiple activities
• Must meet performance standards including attendance and punctuality
• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to maintain a pleasant attitude and provide excellent service to members 
• Ability to work both independently and as a team 
• Ability to guide their own work with strategic intelligence, in alignment with programmatic priorities
• Experience in working with diverse populations
• Desire to learn 
• Excellent organization, verbal communication and writing skills 

Schedule, Work Location & Connectivity 
The OS position is full time, 40 hours per week, completed over a 5–day period: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. Occasional visitation to the health care facilities (nursing homes, hospitals, etc.) will happen in the evenings, night shifts, and on weekends to educate members about benefits and recruit them to programming. This position will primarily be in-the-field Tu-Thurs and in the office (at the Fund’s Hartford Office), with occasional visits to facilities in RI. Once a week OS can work from home and will be provided with a work cell, laptop and supporting equipment belonging to the 1199 Training & Upgrading Fund. The OS will need to ensure that proper internet connection (via ethernet or Wi-Fi) is set up in the home after the initial 6-month Training period has successfully concluded.