Peer Specialist (Health, Behavior, and Society)

Johns Hopkins University•Baltimore, MD

11d•$16 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Health Behavior and Society Department is seeking a Peer Specialist to support the conduct of a research project. This role involves collecting and organizing data through study-specific procedures, which may include community outreach, data collection, sample collection, laboratory work, and/or field work. The Peer Specialist will also provide general administrative support for meetings, events, communications, and reporting. Additionally, the role supports both drop-in services and mobile outreach programming at the SPARC center, a harm reduction-focused center serving women and gender-marginalized people in Baltimore, MD. SPARC offers a range of clinical services, social supports, and essential supplies, including reproductive healthcare, infectious disease testing and care, addiction management, wound care, case management, counseling, and overdose response training with naloxone distribution. The center also distributes harm reduction and basic needs supplies such as safer drug use kits, testing supplies, hygiene products, clothing, and food, with access to laundry services. All services and supplies are provided free of charge in a supportive, low-barrier, and stigma-free environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or graduation equivalent.
One year of related experience.
Ability to step in and out of a large transit van.
Ability to lift and carry up to 45 lbs.
On-call or non-standard work hour requirements (e.g., On-call one weekend per month to respond to lab equipment alerts).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
Lived experience with drug use and/or sex work.
Experience working with diverse populations, including the sex worker population strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist in developing operational plans to meet research goals.
Set up tools and procedures for data collection and study processes.
Collect and organize data per study requirements, e.g., participant interviews, administer questionnaires; conduct background research, laboratory processing, etc.
Process data by organizing data records and study files.
Run basic analyses and prepare routine reports.
Perform literature searches, abstract data from literature searches, and index gathered data.
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 and in the community.
Distribute supplies, including safer drug use supplies and safer sex supplies, while providing harm reduction education.
Other duties as assigned.