Harm Reduction Specialist

Breaking Ground • New York, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Harm Reduction Specialist for Transitional Housing will be located at the Transitional Housing Location, serving people experiencing homelessness, some with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, in order to assist them in transitioning to permanent housing. This role involves liaising with various syringe exchange programs, developing and facilitating group programming, and providing opioid overdose prevention training. The specialist will also ensure safe sex education and materials are available to residents and will partner with community harm reduction services. The position operates Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with one late evening per week (11:00 am – 7:00 pm), and has a 35-hour work week.

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
• Experience with harm reduction and motivational interviewing techniques
• Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground
• Bilingual Spanish/English

Responsibilities

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level