Harm Reduction Outreach Specialist

Black Lives Matter Paterson; Paterson (NJ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Black Lives Matter Paterson seeks a dedicated outreach professional to engage with people who use drugs and individuals at risk for HIV. The role emphasizes harm reduction, trauma-informed practice, and a person-centered approach to support recovery and access services.

You will distribute harm-reduction supplies, provide education on HIV, HCV, STIs, and navigate connections to treatment, shelters, Naloxone, PrEP, and health insurance.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with drugs to connect with participants.
• Certification(s) in recovery coaching and HIV/HCV testing within 6 months.
• Ability to work with diverse gender identities, races, ages and drug-use patterns.
• Willingness to work nights and weekends.
• Independent and team-oriented with good judgment.
• Reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Engage with people who use substances and those at risk for HIV using harm-reduction, trauma-informed, person-centered approach.
• Distribute and educate on safer drug use, safer sex, HIV, hepatitis C, and STIs.
• Conduct street-level outreach to people who inject drugs in high-need areas.
• Provide individualized goal-setting and support for positive change.
• Foster a supportive recovery environment and share experiences when appropriate.
• Facilitate individual and group sessions as needed.
• Identify participants needing referrals to services like treatment, shelters, Naloxone, PrEP, HIV/HCV/STI care.
• Develop partnerships with local service providers and attend community events.
• Maintain program data and complete paperwork accurately.
• Suggest program improvements and innovative outreach strategies.
• Coordinate all activities per scope and timeline.
• Link clients to care, case management, and health insurance access.
• Assist with outreach and HIV testing efforts.
• Attend training on program design and behavior change theory.
• Support agency goals and additional duties as required.
• Initialize and maintain relationships with local providers.

Skills

Lived experience with drugs

Cultural humility

Non-traditional hours

Independent and team-oriented

Judgment and initiative

Reliable transportation

Confidentiality

Person-centered approach

Trauma-informed practice

Harm reduction knowledge

Education

Recovery Coach Certification

HIV/HCV testing certification (within 6 months of hire)

Job description

Black Lives Matter Paterson seeks a dedicated outreach professional to engage with people who use drugs and individuals at risk for HIV. The role emphasizes harm reduction, trauma-informed practice, and a person-centered approach to support recovery and access services.

You will distribute harm-reduction supplies, provide education on HIV, HCV, STIs, and navigate connections to treatment, shelters, Naloxone, PrEP, and health insurance.