Harm Reduction Specialist, Mobile Services

Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc. is looking for a Harm Reduction Specialist for our Mobile programs to join our Binghamton team This position provides services to participants of the Syringe Exchange Program, coordinates and executes outreach and education to promote SEP programming and harm reduction services, offers low threshold syringe exchange services, as well as higher threshold activities to participants including: risk assessment, HIV/HCV testing, individual/group education, and linkage/referral services. Responsible for providing services to participants in outlying areas, including special arrangements for syringe exchange services.

This position requires employees to work on our mobile van and applicants must have a level of comfort working out in the community, working out in the elements, and in close proximity to other staff and clients. This position requires a valid driver's license and clean driving record and applicants must be willing to drive a 15-passenger van. The starting salary for this position includes a per hour bump as this position is budgeted for less than two years.

The Harm Reduction Specialist, Mobile Services reports directly to the Street Outreach Coordinator, Mobile Services.

Responsibilities

The Harm Reduction Specialist, Mobile Services is responsible for all duties related to general SEP operations and programming including:

• Performs initial intake of syringe exchange participants
• Providing safer injecting training (danger zones, Narcan, test strips)
• Responsible for conducting exchange related duties throughout a multi-county service regions using agency vehicles, including a mobile syringe exchange unit
• Staffs the SEP during regular hours of operation, conducts Special Arrangements appointments, and distributes harm reduction supplies at other times as required and scheduled
• Offers complete prevention protocol consisting of safer injection education, safer sex education, testing and risk reduction services
• Coordinates with the rest of the harm reduction team to identify emergent trends and needs and adapt our services accordingly
• Provides comprehensive risk assessment services, as well as linkage to additional services, including Prevention Care Coordination
• Coordinates the exchange of used syringes returned by participants for new syringes and maintains the exchange transaction logs
• Assisting with crisis intervention for participants, as required
• In accordance with the department rotation, responsible for carrying and answering the SEP 24-hour on-call phone for law enforcement officials and providing information to confirm enrollment, as needed
• Maintains all written and computer data of daily transactions
• Maintains the cleanliness and functioning of site and equipment
• Completes inventory and transaction reporting procedures daily
• Works collaboratively with other STAP/STCC personnel who assist in staffing site locations to ensure safety and client access to services

Benefits

Excellent benefits package including: life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending plan and generous time off (24 days annually + 11 paid holidays)

Salary

$20.00/hour working 35-hours per week, may vary depending upon experience.

Education:

• High School Diploma/GED and a minimum of 2 years of professional or volunteer experience in a health care services or community-based organization.

• Associates degree in Health, Education, Social Work, Liberal Arts, a related field, and a minimum one years of professional or volunteer experience in a health care service or community-based organization.

Experience:

• Minimum of one year working in a related field (syringe exchange, health care services, or case management) strongly preferred

• Previous Syringe Exchange or Substance Use Treatment experience desired

• Computer literacy, organizational skills, public speaking and presentation skills, strong interpersonal skills, knowledge and acceptance of the Harm Reduction philosophy are all required

• Familiarity with Motivational Interviewing and database entry preferred

• Physical demands are those associated with general office duties: sitting, standing, light lifting

• This individual is responsible for meeting the transportation and insurability requirements of this job. A valid driver's license, clean driving record and reliable transportation is a requirement of this position.

As an equal employment opportunity employer Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc. dba Southern Tier Care Coordination (STAP/STCC) does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or on any other basis that would be in violation of any applicable federal, state, or local law. We came into being as a result of the stigma surrounding a disease that disproportionately impacted the LGBTQ community and BIPOC communities. This legacy informs our efforts to always strive to be more inclusive and actively anti-racist to both our staff and the clients we serve.

STAP/STCC is a public health organization. Our mission is to compassionately and competently meet the evolving needs of our communities by serving people affected by chronic illness and to improve public health through disease prevention, care coordination and advocacy. As a public health organization, STAP/STCC believes in the science of vaccination and highly recommends that all individuals get vaccinated.

Apply online or send resume and cover letter to STAP, c/o Human Resources, 22 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905 or FAX to