This position is responsible for providing direct harm reduction counseling to young (16-25 years old) unhoused LGBTQ people who use drugs.
Provide short-term counseling and support to an assigned caseload of clients, focusing on substance use
Provide crisis counseling and emergency referrals to clients seeking urgent support around their drug use
Work collaboratively with clients to identify non-judgemental, culturally-competent risk reduction strategies based around their current risk factors and needs, including safer injection practices, overdose prevention, safer sex practices, HIV/HCV treatment and prevention, and other topics relevant to PWUD.
Refer and escort clients to detox, inpatient, and outpatient substance use treatment programs as needed and coordinate with care teams to provide any necessary support.
Collaborate with care teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans
Conduct safety assessments as needed for drop-in center clients
Develop and facilitate supportive group programming centered around harm reduction skills and drug use
Provide support in further developing the agency’s harm reduction programming
Assist in the development of materials, ordering, and distribution of supplies needed to reduce harm (naloxone, fentanyl/xylazine testing strips, etc.)
Create and provide training for staff around harm reduction, substance use, and best practices working with LGBTQ folks who use drugs.
Continually and proactively educate self about new developments in the field of harm reduction and substance use, including attending trainings to further develop skills, knowledge, and understanding of available resources to support PWUD. Share knowledge with colleagues.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with NYC service providers, including but not limited to those addressing medical, mental health and housing needs.
Documenting services provided to clients and maintain inventory logs of harm reduction supplies
Conduct agency intakes assessments.
Attend weekly treatment planning meeting, individual and group supervision
Provide daily coverage in the Community Room, throughout drop-in, and medical clinic as needed.
Respond thoughtfully and supportively to clients in crisis
Experience in providing therapy or substance use counseling and skilled in therapeutic engagement and basic assessments
Experience and competency working with people who do sex work.
Ability to apply harm reduction principles to other criminalised/stigmatised behaviours (I.e. self injury, sex work, eating disorders, etc)
Ability to multitask and manage different priorities under pressure.
Ability to work independently and with others.
Ability to use resources to problem solve.
Effective computer skills and proficiency with Google Suite
Expert knowledge of harm reduction principles and strategies
Experience, competency, and comfort being in community with trans people
Experience working with teens and young adults
A demonstrated commitment to harm reduction principles and social justice for people who use drugs
A thorough understanding of the psychosocial and health needs of TGNC & LGBQ youth, particularly those experiencing homelessness
Passionate about bridging healthcare disparities that queer and trans BIPOC and other historically underserved populations face
Comfortable working with people who use drugs and facilitating open conversations around sex and drug use.
Competent communication & writing skills.
Compassionate & empathetic.
Lived experience of homelessness, drug use, and/or sex work
Multilanguage speaking candidates are encouraged to apply (Spanish, French, etc.).
Transgender and gender non-conforming people are encouraged to apply.
People with lived experience of homelessness encouraged to apply.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color encouraged to apply.