Peer Aide (Health, Behavior, and Society)

Johns Hopkins University•Baltimore, MD

10d•$15 - $20•Hybrid

About The Position

The Health Behavior and Society Department is seeking a Peer Aide to support both drop-in services and mobile outreach programming at the SPARC Center. SPARC is a harm reduction-focused drop-in center and mobile outreach program serving women and gender-marginalized people in Baltimore, MD. SPARC provides a wide range of clinical services, social supports, and essential supplies designed to improve the health, safety, and well-being of participants. These include reproductive healthcare; HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, treatment, and care; addiction management; wound care; case management; counseling; and overdose response training with naloxone distribution. Additionally, SPARC distributes harm reduction and basic needs supplies such as safer drug use kits, fentanyl and xylazine testing supplies, safer sex supplies, wound care materials, hygiene products, clothing, food, and access to laundry services, all free of charge. SPARC staff strive to create a supportive, low-barrier, and stigma-free environment. The Peer Aide will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and interact regularly with program participants, including individuals engaged in sex work and people who use drugs. This role supports various program activities such as drop-in services, community outreach (foot and van-based), supply delivery, participant engagement, and daily operations. Successful candidates will receive training before community work begins.

Requirements

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age with relevant lived experience.
Experience working with diverse populations, interviewing, fieldwork, or outreach preferred.
No equivalency allowed.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience working with diverse populations, interviewing, fieldwork, or outreach.
Lived experience with drug use and/or sex work.
Experience working with diverse populations, including the sex worker population.
Experience in a harm reduction setting.
Prior experience with outreach or drop-in work.
Expertise in de-escalation and conflict management.
Valid driver’s license and willingness to drive a small transit van.

Responsibilities

Support daily operations at SPARC, including greeting participants; supporting participant needs; packing supply bags; ensuring the drop-in space is clean and tidy; scheduling appointments.
Support outreach operations, including participating in van and foot-based outreach shifts; kit making; delivery bag packing; engaging in syringe and litter clean-up efforts.
Distribute Naloxone, train community members on its use and benefits.
Provide health education and risk reduction information to SPARC participants.
Distribute supplies, including safer drug use supplies and safer sex supplies, while providing harm reduction education.
Engage in community events to promote services and develop rapport with neighbors, business owners, and participants.
De-escalate conflicts and set and maintain boundaries with participants.
Support program data collection and data entry.
Potential to facilitate peer groups and trainings.
Other duties as assigned.