Drug Checking Technician

njhrc; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Professional development fund

Retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

NJHRC is seeking a Community Drug Checking Technician in New Brunswick, NJ to perform point-of-care FTIR drug checking and immunoassay screening. The role collaborates with the Program Director to expand harm-reduction services and engage with Middlesex County partners.

The position emphasizes data collection, quality assurance, and real-time communication of test results to service users, with a focus on empathetic, evidence-based counseling and referrals to resources.

Qualifications

• Experience-based knowledge of drug use and harm reduction principles.

Responsibilities

• Design public-facing materials to uplift the program to participants and local stakeholders.
• Collect and integrate FTIR results with confirmatory testing results.
• Maintain data collection protocols and documents.
• Coordinate with secondary labs and manage sample packaging, mailing, and tracking.
• Stay updated on trends in drug checking and harm reduction.
• Collaborate with Middlesex HRC and other NJ centers to collect samples and form partnerships.
• Identify opportunities for programmatic growth and quality improvement.
• Develop multiple service delivery options to expand access to drug checking.

Skills

Lived experience

Sitting/standing long periods

Interpret findings

Adulterants knowledge

Communication to stakeholders

Computer proficiency

Empathy and non-judgment

Relationship-building

Public speaking

Tools

FTIR spectroscopy

Immunoassay test strips

Project management tools

Job description

Overview

• Position: Community Drug Checking Technician
• Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
• Location: New Brunswick, NJ
• Salary: $65,000-$70,000 and robust benefits package
• Reports to: Program Director

The Job

The Community Drug Checking Technician is responsible for providing point-of-care drug checking services using FTIR spectroscopy alongside immunoassay test strips. This position will work collaboratively with the Program Director to provide comprehensive harm reduction services via connections to the Direct Services teams. By offering this service, you will contribute to reducing drug-related harm, increasing community knowledge, and assisting individuals in making informed decisions regarding their substance use.

Who We Are

Incorporated in January 2020, NJHRC is a growing and fast-paced nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a New Jersey that values the safety and dignity of all people who use drugs, and to make evidence-informed harm reduction public health resources widely available to everyone in our state. We are working toward a world where there is no drug war or stigma against people who use drugs, and where all people have all the resources needed to stay alive and thrive.

NJHRC accomplishes this through direct harm reduction services, training and technical assistance, and policy advocacy. Our direct services are focused on two Harm Reduction Centers: the Middlesex Harm Reduction Center (serving all of Middlesex County based out of New Brunswick) and the Statewide Harm Reduction Center (serving all of New Jersey with mail-based distribution and uses nontraditional digital outreach and engagement methods).

WhatYou’llDo

The Community Drug Checking Technician will play a key role in direct services and stakeholder management for the NJHRC’s community drug checking program, including but not limited to:

Program Operations

• Design public-facing materials to uplift program to participants and other local stakeholders.
• Collect data on submitted samples and results. Integrate initial FTIR testing results with confirmatory testing results.
• Maintain data collection protocols and documents as needed.
• Coordinate with secondary verification labs and develop procedures for packaging, mailing, and tracking samples submitted for further analysis; maintaining ongoing data analysis comparing laboratory results with point of care results for quality assurance and training.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest trends, developments, and innovations related to drug checking, harm reduction, and substance use to enhance the overall effectiveness of the program.
• Collaborate with other Harm Reduction Centers in central New Jersey to collect samples and establish partnerships for testing.
• Identify areas for programmatic growth, refinement, or change and regularly lift up programmatic quality improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and Senior Manager of Middlesex HRC to establish multiple service delivery options (e.g., in-person analysis, drop-off with ticket, community white board postings) to expand access to drug checking services.

Direct Services & Member Engagement

• Attend 3-day FTIR training.
• Be responsible for the set-up, take down, transportation, and maintenance of delicate analytical chemistry equipment.
• Facilitate the handling and storage of drug samples, as well as submitting drug samples for further laboratory testing.
• Analyze drug samples submitted by participants using FTIR spectroscopy and immunoassay test strips.
• Interpret findings from multiple data sources and effectively communicate results to service users.
• Provide non-judgmental and evidence-based information about a wide variety of drugs, adulterants, and cuts to service users.
• Offer and provide harm reduction counseling based on drug checking results. Connect service users to other resources as necessary.
• Collaborate closely with other team members, including program managers and harm reduction specialists, to ensure seamless and effective service delivery across service lines, workflows, and areas of responsibility.

External Engagement & Stakeholder Management

• Effectively communicate results to NJHRC staff and stakeholders in order to stay current with the local drug supply information.
• Provide guidance on NJHRC resource materials to inform and train staff, as needed, in response to emerging local drug trends.
• Attend regular check-ins with NJDOH and Middlesex County Department of Behavioral Health for interpretations of findings and dissemination of information to local service providers.
• Attend regular meetings with Remedy Alliance (RA/FTP) Drug Checking program and Alliance for Collaborative Drug Checking (ACDC).
• Advise on the development of Community Advisory Board (CAB) as the CAB provides guidance on Drug Checking services.
• Maintain steady connections to national harm reduction and drug checking movements.

Who You Are & Keys to Success (“Must-Haves”)

• Direct lived and/or living experience: Experience-based knowledge of drug use, issues affecting people who use drugs, and the unregulated drug supply. This position requires lived and/or living experience using some of the substances being tested.
• Sitting & small screen use: Ability to sit / stand for long periods of time at a computer and interpret information on small screens
• Ability to interpret findings & describe nuances in substances: demonstrates knowledge of drugs and common adulterants, and their range of potential effects on the person consuming them. Has a knack for synthesizing research into digestible language
• Knowledge of current common adulterants in the street drug supply: cultivates trusted connections with national and local landscape partners and people who use and/or sell drugs to stay informed and anticipate changes to local supply.
• Ability to communicate supply changes in real-time: demonstrates written and verbal communication skills for informing stakeholders about supply changes and emergent drug trends.
• Proficient with computers & able to learn new software: demonstrated proficiency in utilizing project management tools, data entry, and data reporting from spreadsheets or data software tool. (Training and ongoing support will be provided for using the software libraries and FTIR spectroscopy required for this position.)
• Ability to uphold non-judgment & demonstrate empathy: maintains an open, empathetic, and respectful attitude towards individuals using the service. Recognizes that the participant is an expert of their own health and has a right to self-determination, puts harm reduction principles and “meeting participants where they are” into practice; uplifts personal bodily autonomy of each participant; maintains confidential information regarding the sensitive nature of drug supply
• Relationship-building: able to connect with individuals and build rapport with participants, staff, neighbors, organizational partners, and community stakeholders
• Public-speaking: Demonstrated ability to speak to different external audiences ( e.g. media, lawmakers, and public stakeholders) using clear, simple language tailored to the specific audience for effectiveness.

Must-Haves for all NJHRC Staff

• Problem-solving skills:You demonstrate initiative when approached with a problem and have experience successfully leading others through problem-solving.
• Self-awareness & emotional intelligence:You engage in self-reflection of your own behavior anddemonstrateemotional intelligence.
• Comfort in a changing environment:You have the ability to navigate change externally with participants and with internal operations.You have the ability to lead change management projects internally.
• Embody teamwork:You have a demonstrated ability to work well with others toward shared goals, have difficult conversations, and help others master their professional responsibilities.
• Time management & prioritization skills:You have the ability to manage your time effectively, while supporting others to prioritize appropriately.

A Note to Potential Candidates

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary people, and BIPOC candidates are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and we welcome the opportunity for new insight into our work. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Salary and Benefit Details

• Salary: This is an individual contributor job that requires specific technical and communication skills. Starting salary determined by salary band guidelines as they relate to the incoming employee’s demonstrated experience and “must have” and “nice to have” skillsets identified for this role.
• Benefits: NJHRC’s employee benefits package includes 100 percent employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and 80 percent family coverage; 20 paid vacation days, 15 paid holidays, and half day “Summer Fridays” in July and August; an Employee Assistance Program; and a $1,500 annual discretionary professional development fund as well as organization-wide professional development opportunities. NJHRC is starting a retirement plan with five percent employer match shortly.

Equal Opportunity Employment

NJHRC is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. NJHRC encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibility, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction. NJHRC is particularly interested in hiring people who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.