Adulterant Checking Specialist (DOH/PHD#10715)

New Mexico Department of Health; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 68,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Mexico Department of Health's Communicable Disease Bureau seeks an Adulterant Checking Specialist to monitor illicit substances and support harm reduction efforts.

You will analyze samples using FTIR, train staff, and generate quarterly statewide reports to inform clinicians, health teams, and partners across New Mexico. Ideal candidates communicate clearly, engage with outreach sites, and contribute to overdose prevention strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university.
• Four (4) years of professional level experience with a tactical impact related to the position.
• Any combination of education/experience totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide real-time public health surveillance of illicit substances by analyzing chemical makeup using an FTIR machine.
• Coordinate and provide training for staff on use of the FTIR machine and harm reduction training.
• Create, develop and distribute quarterly statewide reports of test results for public access and internal use.
• Lead monthly meetings with certified technicians to identify trends and service needs.

Skills

Public health surveillance

Interviews & open-ended questions

Harm reduction

Data reporting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

FTIR machine

Job description

Posting Details

Interviews are anticipated within two (2) weeks of closing date.

Salary

$33.12 - $49.68 Hourly

$68,886 - $103,330 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C9

Posting Details

Interviews are anticipated within two (2) weeks of closing date.

The Communicable Disease Bureau (CDB) within the Center for Healthy and Safe Communities (CHSC) oversees programs to respond to common infectious diseases including HIV, STD, hepatitis and TB, while also providing services for child and adult immunization/vaccination, refugee health and harm reduction. A number of programs are partially funded with grants from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) including HIV prevention, STD, hepatitis, TB and immunization. The bureau sets policies and clinical protocols and manages contracts to reduce the spread of communicable disease across New Mexico

Why does the job exist?

The Adulterant Checking Specialist position provides real-time public health surveillance of illicit substances being used within communities served by the Harm Reduction Section. This position helps to identify dangerous contaminants in current supplies so that awareness can be raised to the substance using community to reduce overdose morbidity and mortality and provide needed information to clinical providers, health department teams, and contracted partners for harm reduction responses.

How does it get done?

• Provide unbiased and nonjudgmental testing of substances provided by community members by analyzing the chemical makeup of unregulated substances using an FTIR machine;
• Coordinate and provide intensive training for identified staff on use of the FTIR machine and ensure that all staff have received Harm Reduction and Stigma training; establish a review/ refresher process for all certified technicians.
• Create, develop and distribute quarterly reports of all statewide test results and make them available by print, online, and through the Harm Reduction web page for public consumption
• Lead and conduct regular monthly meetings with certified technicians across NM to understand trends, identify gaps and barriers to testing, and understand maintenance or service needs for the equipment

Who are the customers?

Harm Reduction program participants and the public.

Ideal Candidate

• Has knowledge, experience, and compassion working with substance using populations
• Able to conduct interviews regarding substance use using open ended questions and humanizing language
• Feels comfortable handling, analyzing, and reporting on illicit substances and communicating findings with clients, providers, and Administrative Staff
• Can act as a subject matter expert on substance use trends for enhanced awareness, illicit substance facts, and planned overdose responses
• Feels comfortable testing in outreach settings, in the field, and in different communities in NM

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of professional level experience with a tactical impact directly related to the purpose of the position defined by the agency at the time of recruitment. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Lifting up to 50 pounds may be required. Regular work days are Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm. Travel to satellite offices, meetings, training sessions, and special events with the occasional overnight stay is required.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.