Harm Reduction Specialist
About The Position
Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home. The Harm Reduction Specialist for TRANSITIONAL HOUSING will be located at TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOCATION serving people experiencing homelessness (some with mental illness and/or substance use disorders) in order to assist the individual in the transitioning to permanent housing.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and the ability to learn new programs
- Excellent writing and communication skills
Nice To Haves
- Two years of experience working with homeless adults and substance abuse issues preferred
- Experience with harm reduction and motivational interviewing techniques strongly preferred
- Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground is preferred
- Bilingual Spanish/English is preferred
Responsibilities
- Liaise with Peer-Delivered Syringe Exchange; Mobile Provider Syringe Exchange
- Developing, implementing, and facilitating in-house group programming
- Providing and tracking opioid overdose prevention training for staff and clients
- Ensure safe sex education and materials are available to all residents
- Create and manage core Harm Reduction based curriculum at the SAFE HAVEN
- Liaise with external Harm Reduction based partners to help coordinate services
- Coordinate and facilitate groups with clients
- Assist program leadership in creating trainings for staff that ensure Harm Reduction practices are being taught and exercised by staff
- Ensure all staff are aware of needle stick prevention methods and agency policy and procedure around responding to needle sticks
- Ensure that there are adequate syringe disposal containers on site that are strategically located throughout the program site and will ensure that containers are emptied regularly
- Ensure there are always safer-sex resources available to clients that are accessible in common spaces
- Liaise with on-site psychiatric and primary care provider, to support treatment planning which includes medications aimed at reducing/eliminating alcohol use
- Perform other related duties as assigned
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
