Substance User Engagement Specialist

OUTSIDE IN • Portland, OR

5d • $25 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

The Substance User Engagement Specialist provides safer substance use and injury and infectious disease prevention services to over 200 clients a day. These services include Hepatitis C and HIV disease testing, as well as education and safer use counseling for substance users. The Substance User Engagement Specialist will also train clients and community members on using naloxone to prevent overdose. They will direct new or returning clients to appropriate Outside In programs and educate clients on how to access available services and resources in the community. This position will also help ensure a safe, peaceful neighborhood by monitoring agency buildings and public spaces. The Substance User Engagement Specialist will support staff in respectfully enforcing rules and assisting with intervention and de-escalation when there is problematic behavior. We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a workforce that is reflective of the communities served.

Requirements

• Experience working with people who use substances, are homeless, and/or high-risk youth and adults.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain current knowledge of medical and social issues and information involved in substance user risk and injury reduction and prevention theory, alcohol & drug treatment, and HIV and Hepatitis C prevention education theory (through degree or certificate education, training, independent study, and/or experience).
• Familiarity with issues related to the sex industry.
• Experience with group facilitation and active listening.
• Understanding of issues facing homeless youth and adults.
• Experience providing HIV/Hepatitis C prevention education and interventions.
• Good communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong professional boundaries with clients and staff.
• Good organizational skills.
• The ability to work respectfully with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide safer substance use services.
• Provide HIV and Hepatitis C prevention education and testing.
• Conduct overdose prevention and Naloxone trainings.
• Supervise and support volunteer staff.
• Provide Oregon Health Plan support to people who are using substances.
• Engage with clients of Outside In’s Youth Department, Medical Clinics, and Substance User Engagement Services.
• Monitor drug-related behavior, camping, and sleeping in the neighborhoods, passageways, and common spaces of Outside In’s buildings.
• Be aware of exclusion and incident reporting procedures. Assist staff in issuing and following up on exclusions and incident reporting paperwork.
• Assume other duties as requested by the Program Manager (?)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees