SEP Syracuse Program Associate

ACR Health; City of Syracuse (NY); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

Generous paid time off

Life Insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

ACR Health in Syracuse, NY, seeks a SEP Syracuse Program Associate to deliver Syringe Exchange Program harm reduction services, HIV/STD prevention, and education across Onondaga County. Requires strong communication and cultural competence to work with diverse high-risk populations.

The role involves outreach, client interactions, and collaboration with the Harm Reduction Services team. Flexible, in-office hours with potential evenings and weekends for events.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED required; experience in social services/healthcare delivering direct services to at-risk populations preferred.
• Experience working with diverse populations such as PWUD, homeless individuals, LGBTQI+ communities preferred.
• Harm reduction ethos, HIPAA expertise, and cultural humility are essential.

Responsibilities

• Maintain strict confidentiality per HIPAA and agency policies.
• Deliver HIV/STD/hepatitis prevention interventions per program work plans.
• Promote sterile injection equipment access and safe sharps disposal.
• Recruit peer educators and clients for program services.
• Maintain accurate client/service records per SEP policies.
• Complete required reports and participate in outreach across Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga Counties.

Skills

Effective communication

Documentation

Microsoft Office

Culturally competent services

HIPAA familiarity

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title:SEP Syracuse Program Associate

Dept:Harm Reduction Services

Reports to:Harm Reduction Manager

Salary Range:$21.23 – $24.08 hourly

Position Summary:

The SEP Syracuse Program Associate delivers Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) harm reduction services—HIV/STD/hepatitis prevention, sterile equipment access, sharps disposal, outreach, and education across Onondaga County. Requires strong communication, cultural competence, and collaboration with diverse high-risk populations.

Authority and Independence:

The SEP Program Associate works under general supervision of the Harm Reduction Services Manager/Director, exercising independent judgment within policies and confidentiality protocols. Prioritizes outreach, manages client interactions, and networks professionally across counties.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma/GED
• A minimum of one year’s experience in a social service or healthcare environment delivering direct services to individuals who use drugs and members of marginalized communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQI+ individuals, is highly desirable.
• Experience working with diverse populations such as people who use drugs (PWUD), individuals with justice involvement, those facing mental health challenges, or experiencing homelessness is highly preferred.
• Harm reduction ethos, equity focus, HIPAA expertise, cultural humility, and sensitivity to HIV, chronic illness, LGBTQI+, TGNCNB, and BIPOC communities.
• Lived experience with homelessness, substance use, justice involvement, and/or overdose is preferred.
• Experience-based knowledge of drug use, issues affecting people who use drugs , and the unregulated drug supply is highly preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Effective communication and documentation skills.
• Computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience delivering stigma-free, non-judgmental, and culturally competent services.
• Sensitivity to HIV/AIDS, chronic illness, LGBTQ issues and strong commitment to ACR Health’s mission, vision, and values.
• Commitment to cultural humility and ability to work respectfully with diverse populations.

Other Requirements

• Valid New York State driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle with current insurance for work-related travel, training, outreach, and occasional client transport (personal vehicle ownership is not required but consistent access is necessary).
• May provide backup coverage for the Syracuse–Oswego SEP Associate during periods of absence, increased program demand, or other operational needs

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain strict confidentiality per Article 27-F, 42 CFR, HIPAA, and ACR Health policies.
• Abide by agency Policies, Procedures, Mission, Vision, and Values per employee handbook.
• Communicate clearly with supervisors, coworkers, clients, and community partners.
• Deliver HIV/STD/hepatitis prevention interventions per program work plans.
• Promote sterile injection equipment access and safe sharps disposal.
• Recruit peer educators and clients for program services.
• Maintain accurate client/service records per SEP policies.
• Complete monthly, quarterly, and annual reports per guidelines.
• Conduct outreach, special arrangements, networking, and educational presentations in Onondaga, Oswego, and Cayuga Counties.
• Participate in drug checking initiative via immunoassay testing strips, sample collection, or FTIR spectroscopy services.
• Develop relationships with community organizations.
• Assist Harm Reduction & Prevention department with projects and agency initiatives.
• Complete minimum 24 hours of curriculum-based training annually.
• Function as culturally competent team member responsive to diverse community needs.
• Maintain agency/program property/equipment and cooperate with IT for security maintenance.
• Perform daily agency vehicle safety/fuel checks.
• Work cooperatively with all personnel, representing ACR Health professionally.
• Perform other duties as assigned by program management and/or Chief Program Officer.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay
• Life Insurance.
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with agency contributions.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Location:

Syracuse Office | Hours per week: 35 | Work Schedule: Full Time in Office, occasional evenings and weekends may be required for meetings, workshops, outreach, and events.

Disclaimer:

This job description provides an overview of primary duties and responsibilities. It is not exhaustive; additional consistent tasks may be assigned.