Health Educator - Harm Reduction Services

Argus Community Inc•New York, NY

58d•$0 - $25•Hybrid

About The Position

Health Educators at BOOM!Health are responsible for delivering a wide range of street-based and office-based harm reduction services across multiple contracts to individuals engaging in high-risk behaviors. Services range from low-threshold risk-reduction education to intensive case management. BOOM!Health’s service model centers on educating and empowering individuals to advocate for themselves and make meaningful changes in their lives. In alignment with this philosophy, Health Educators support participants in identifying their strengths, needs, and barriers to accessing services or making positive life changes. Health Educators facilitate access to services and assist participants in creating plans to address their needs. They also promote self-efficacy by connecting participants to opportunities that allow them to identify, influence, and change policies that impact their lives. The role includes conducting educational and support groups that reinforce harm reduction practices, promote wellness, and strengthen participants’ support networks. Health Educators also actively engage individuals entering the drop-in center—welcoming them, assessing their immediate needs, and helping them navigate available services. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of BOOM!Health’s service continuum, staff roles, available resources, and participant flow throughout the organization.

Requirements

Demonstrated interest in harm reduction, syringe exchange, and/or social justice as it relates to people who use drugs.
Work or lived experience in substance use, HIV, and HCV prevention strongly desired.
Strong organizational skills, self-motivation, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with strong written and verbal communication abilities.
Ability and willingness to be hands-on, address issues as they arise, and contribute to problem solving.
Commitment to harm reduction principles and to working with low-income individuals who use drugs, engage in sex work, and/or belong to other marginalized communities.
Dedication to advancing equal rights and social justice through advocacy, community engagement, and civic participation.
Willingness and ability to work outdoors at street-based sites approximately 20% of the time; schedule may vary.

Nice To Haves

Personal experience navigating supportive services for active drug users preferred.
Knowledge of Bronx and East Harlem IDU/substance use communities and related service providers preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

Represent the agency to all individuals seeking services at storefront offices and mobile sites.
Efficiently assess participant needs and link them with the appropriate staff or services.
Recruit potential participants through street outreach, low-threshold risk-reduction education, networking, and targeted marketing.
Provide substance use and sexual risk assessments in alignment with harm reduction principles, and discuss individualized risk-reduction strategies, including safer injection, safer sex, overdose prevention, HIV/HCV, buprenorphine, and other topics relevant to people who use drugs.
Collaboratively identify participant needs, assist in goal setting, develop action plans, and connect participants to services that support those goals.
Provide concrete case management services, including referrals for public assistance, food/shelter, medical care, transportation, mental health, and substance use services.
Provide HIV and Hepatitis C counseling, testing, and linkage to care upon participant request.
Serve as an advocate, translator, and educator to help participants effectively navigate community services; escort participants as needed.
Monitor and coordinate participant progress through BOOM!Health programs and external providers; develop ongoing action plans, track outcomes, and ensure adequate support.
Facilitate participant-centered interventions, workshops, and groups, including crisis management, risk reduction, treatment readiness, overdose prevention, HIV health and medication management, and other educational or support groups.
Monitor the drop-in center and other work areas to ensure participant satisfaction; answer phones, take messages, distribute transportation reimbursements, replenish supplies, and provide clerical support as needed.
Proactively stay informed about emerging developments in harm reduction and collaborate with colleagues to share best practices.
Work with program management to build and maintain positive relationships with community agencies; gather and track participant feedback to ensure referrals align with BOOM!Health’s mission and quality standards.
Maintain an updated resource directory for referrals, including clear information on access and eligibility.
Collect, compile, and submit all data required for program evaluation and grant reporting.
Maintain accurate and detailed participant records.
Assist with street-site/mobile office setup and perform other duties as assigned.