Community Safety and Overdose Response Specialist

Evergreen Treatment Services•Seattle, WA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Safety and Overdose Response Specialist supports overdose response and fatality prevention by building relationships with people who use drugs (PWUD) in and around REACH drop-in spaces and integrating harm reduction practices into milieu work. The role supports a safe, welcoming drop-in environment, fosters client relationships and community building, and uses motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care. It requires respectful boundary-setting, awareness of interpersonal interactions, management of client flow, and proactive de-escalation of challenging behaviors related to intoxication or other behavioral health conditions. The position works with people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health conditions, offering outreach, safety support, referrals, overdose prevention education, crisis response, and coordination with REACH staff and community partners. It also performs front-desk and administrative duties, documents client and community interactions, and participates in meetings, consultation, and supervision. The job is based at the REACH office in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, with local agency travel required. The scheduled hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Salary range is $78,500–$92,500; qualifying bilingual or multilingual proficiency and/or advanced educational credentials may make employees eligible for an additional $1,000 each.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least three years of direct client-service experience in mission-driven programs serving the unhoused community.
Experience providing healing-centered, harm-reduction services to people experiencing complex behavioral health challenges.
Demonstrated conflict-resolution and de-escalation skills.
Knowledge of local resources, community services, harm reduction, and overdose prevention principles.
Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to build rapport with diverse populations in challenging environments.
Understanding of racial equity and social justice and commitment to an equitable environment for ETS clients, patients, and staff.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, patients, and staff from varied ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
Training or expertise in compassionate overdose response, naloxone administration, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, MOUD options counseling, and de-escalation.
Strong organization and prioritization skills; ability to work independently and complete tasks efficiently and on time.
Dependability, ability to work under pressure, receptiveness to change, willingness to learn, and a cooperative approach to problem-solving.
Flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion with sensitive information.
Ability to set boundaries, resolve conflict, and de-escalate issues.
Computer literacy, including basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, and initiative in keeping current with technological changes.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including occasionally lifting or moving up to 30 pounds.
Ability to travel locally on behalf of the agency.
A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required if using a program vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate degree.
Academic training in social services, substance use disorder services, or mental health services; relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
Qualifying bilingual or multilingual language proficiency may be eligible for an additional $1,000.
Qualifying advanced educational credentials may be eligible for an additional $1,000.

Responsibilities

Build trusting relationships with clients living outside and using drugs near the REACH office, emphasizing harm reduction practices.
Use client relationships to intervene proactively, prevent escalation, and encourage engagement with supportive services.
Promote community safety within and around the REACH Milieu through respectful interactions and clear behavioral expectations and boundaries.
Manage client flow into and out of the milieu, welcome clients, triage needs, and maintain an appropriate client-to-staff ratio.
Maintain knowledge of community resources, particularly overdose prevention and MOUD treatment options, and provide information and referrals.
Orient new clients to the milieu, including client rights and responsibilities.
Help orient new staff and support REACH staff in using trauma-informed harm reduction practices.
Collaborate with Care Managers on self-care and crisis intervention plans for REACH clients.
Staff the front desk, check clients into AGENCY, answer phones and general inquiries, and replenish coffee-making supplies.
Help coordinate and facilitate support groups, trainings, outings, special events, and other group activities with REACH staff and partner agencies.
Conduct brief needs assessments of clients’ substance use patterns and mental health status to reduce risks and improve safety.
Coordinate with emergency medical services, law enforcement, and other stakeholders or providers when needed, including appropriate aftercare following emergencies.
Conduct regular trash pickup and other activities to maintain a tidy and respectful environment.
Educate clients about safer drug use, overdose prevention, and harm reduction resources, including MOUD access and overdose aftercare.
Liaise with the REACH Drug User Health Team and support site-based drug checking, harm reduction supply inventory, kit making, and distribution.
Conduct bathroom checks as needed to support client safety and restroom cleanliness.
Serve as the milieu point person for overdoses and behavioral health crises in and around the REACH office, coordinating with partners to reduce escalation, prevent fatalities, coordinate care, and respond to client and neighbor needs.
Identify gaps and barriers in community resources and advocate for systemic change.
Document relevant client and community interactions in AGENCY and prepare reports required by funding sources or organizational needs.
Use clinical supervision, case consultation, and peer support to explore intervention strategies, counter-transference, resource development, self-care, and burnout prevention.
Attend REACH Program staff meetings and other required meetings.