Overview

VOCAL-NY is a grassroots membership organization working to create healthy and just communities by building power among people affected by HIV and hepatitis C, mass incarceration and the war on drugs. We do this through community organizing, leadership development, direct services, policy advocacy and direct action with the belief that true social change must come from the bottom up and is led by those most directly impacted.

VOCAL-NY provides onsite and street-based syringe exchange, overdose prevention, hepatitis C and HIV education, care coordination, drug treatment education and other services for active and former drug users. Services are provided in a low-threshold, nonjudgmental and culturally relevant manner.

 

This position will provide harm reduction services for active and former drug users onsite at our office in Brooklyn. The position will report to and be supervised by the Drop-in & Syringe Exchange Programs Manager.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of harm reduction and past experience providing low-threshold services to active drug users and a commitment to building power among low-income people who use drugs to fight for social justice.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):

  • Support drop-in center activities like preparing participants for support groups, providing educational information to participants, assuring safe and efficient operation of facilities such as laundry and bathroom.
  • Facilitate syringe exchange and other drug user health services as needed, including enrolling people who use drugs, providing them with an SEP ID, furnishing syringes and safer injection supplies, providing education and or referrals, and completing applicable paperwork
  • Maintain accurate documentation of supply distribution.
  • Professional Development: Attend trainings as needed to improve skills and knowledge.

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Completion of NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute training for SEP workers and volunteers (if not already completed, must complete within the first 90 days).
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – including the ability to work collaboratively, give & receive feedback, and build working relationships with people from all walks of life. 
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills, this includes organizing supplies, and attending meetings and events on time.
  • Ability to complete audit-worthy documentation in a timely fashion.
  • Compassion for people who use drugs and a deep commitment to harm reduction theory and practice.
  • Willingness to attend additional in-house and external trainings.
  • Previous experience providing harm reduction services via street and/or site-based outreach strongly preferred.
  • Previous experience providing prevention education and safer substance use strategies and education strongly preferred.
  • Basic computer skills, including ability to use the internet.

VOCAL-NY offers a generous benefits package with an unlimited monthly Metrocard for travel, monthly cell phone reimbursement, and wellness and vacation time. Part-time employees who have worked at VOCAL-NY for at least 3 months and who work at least 20 hours per week are also eligible for 100% employer-covered health, vision, and dental insurance.

VOCAL-NY is an equal opportunity employer. People with a history of drug use, women, people of color, people who are LGBTQ and people living with HIV/AIDS are strongly encouraged to apply. 

For more information, please visit our website at www.vocal-ny.org.

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