Project: Overdose Prevention Outreach

Position: Overdose Prevention Outreach Coordinator

Reports To: Operations Manager

Job Location: Muskegon County

FLSA: Non-exempt hourly

Salary: From $17.00 per hour

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Mission

The mission of the Grand Rapids Red Project is to improve health, reduce risk and prevent HIV in the greater Grand Rapids metropolitan service area. More specifically, we seek to provide access to the knowledge, tools, information, and support that people need to stay healthy, and we view this as a fundamental human right. We accomplish our mission through providing direct client service delivery and advocacy. Programming consists of a syringe access program, overdose education and naloxone distribution, PrEP navigation, HIV and Hepatitis C testing and linkage to care, HIV case management, tobacco use reduction, recovery coaching, community outreach, and support groups.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide service delivery (at fixed and mobile sites) and create a supportive environment through the syringe access program, in which recovery is an individually defined concept, and all paths towards it are encouraged

• Maintain provider relationships with agency partners

• Promote Red Project service delivery for areas identified

• Attend community events and perform general outreach reaching at-risk populations

• Network with agency partners and the at-risk communities they serve

• Working through established networks to increase awareness and utilization of Red Project service delivery

• Identify locations to provide on-demand services surrounding overdose education and naloxone distribution

• Provide a variety of group level overdose education and naloxone through agency partners, including individual level training to the community at large

• Maintain inventory count of naloxone

• Provide individualized HIV/Hepatitis C testing and risk reduction education sessions

• Fill out all requisite paperwork for programming

• Recommend program improvements and innovative strategies to reach at-risk populations

• Other responsibilities as assigned

Skills and Experience

• Lived experience with substance use and recovery

• Experience (paid, volunteer or community based) in a substance use environment preferred

• Knowledge of overdose education along with utilization of naloxone hydrochloride and trends in cumulative supply distribution and drug culture

• Knowledge of HIV, Hepatitis C and STD, route of transmission and preventative measures

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with diverse groups and individuals, including strong interpersonal and organizational skills

• Group facilitation experience

• MDHHS certified as a HIV/Hepatitis C test counselor (Red Project can facilitate the certification process)

• Outreach experience preferred; ability to work efficiently and effectively in a street outreach environment

• Operate efficiently and effectively in a professional environment

• Ability to create meaningful connections with people who actively use substances utilizing a harm reduction strategy

• Ability to engage clients in a client-centered manner and create effective referrals

• Knowledge of community resources and referral sources related to the following: HIV, Hepatitis C, substance use, general healthcare and basic needs

• Computer/technology proficiency, including Google and Microsoft Suites

• Commute between fixed office locations

• Work one workday per week at the Grand Rapids office location

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a high volume, fast-paced environment, as well as work under supervision and carry out assigned tasks

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Critical Qualities

• Confidentiality: Maintaining the highest degree of privacy with clients and organizational information

• Motivation: Taking initiative and following a project through to completion, and being able to identify needs and achieve results

• Organization: Able to prioritize needs, goals, and objectives; strong attention to detail, accuracy, and reliability; managing multiple projects while still achieving desired outcomes

• Teamwork: Capable of working with many different personalities; vocalizing needs while still putting self behind the needs of the group and organization; enhancing and supplementing the skills and abilities of others

• Problem Solver: Capable of thinking on the spot to resolve problem situations as they arise; able to identify root causes, assess relevant information, identify a range of options, and make recommendations for the resolution of problem situations

To Apply

In a cover letter, please answer the following questions:

• What is your understanding and perspective on harm reduction?

• How do you define recovery?

• How do you see recovery fitting into syringe access programs?

• Tell us about your substance use experience and how it relates to being a Harm Reduction Educator.

• What change would you like to make in the community?

Please submit your cover letter and resume to joshua@redproject.org

Resumes and cover letters will be accepted until the position is filled.

To download a PDF copy of this job description, please click here.