Description

The Harm Reduction Advocate provides prevention and harm reduction services to individuals at risk for infectious disease, overdose, and other health conditions associated with substance use and/or unstable housing. This includes syringe exchange services, overdose education and naloxone distribution, and milieu oversight. The Harm Reduction Advocate reports to the Director of the Victory Connector or their designee for support and supervision.

Essential Functions:

• Act in accordance with Victory Programs, Inc.’s Standards of Excellence & Philosophy Care at all times including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality and working from a strength-based perspective using evidence base practices (MI, CBT, Harm Reduction etc.)
• Work with team to organize daily activities, operations, and harm reduction programming in the navigation center.
• Facilitate verbal and written harm reduction counseling related to safer injection practice, wound care, overdose prevention, sexual health, vein and abscess care, and prevention of infectious disease transmission to clients.
• Provide syringe services, naloxone, and harm reduction supplies for individuals at risk for overdose of infectious disease transmission.
• Provide supported referrals, navigation, and appointment accompaniment for clients seeking health or social service care linkage.
• Engage in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and conflict de-escalation as needed in milieu space.
• Work collaboratively with entire staff to support trainings, psychoeducational and peer support groups at the Connector.
• Comply with agency protocols for data collection and record management.
• Attend weekly supervision, monthly staff meetings, and periodic professional development trainings and workshops as requested by supervisor.
• Adhere to the Victory Programs Confidentiality Policies and Procedures at all times and in the course of all interactions.

Qualifications:

Individuals with lived experience related to the scope of work are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Previous experience working in human services and/or a drop-in setting strongly preferred.
• Previous experience in nonviolent crisis intervention, de-escalation, and milieu management preferred.
• Working knowledge of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis, homelessness, substance use, STIs, and sex work as well as health-related social issues faced by persons who use drugs.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex and drug cultures, age groups, religion, country of origin, disability and economic status.
• Excellent verbal communication skills including an ability to have open and affirming conversations about sex and substance use risk.
• Ability to work in an environment that involves potentially hazardous materials (blood borne pathogens, discarded syringes, etc.) and situations that require safety precautions and/or the use of protective equipment.
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Outlook, Excel and the internet.
• Current TB assessment and current CPR certification (agency provided upon hire).
• Bilingual capacity preferred.

Days/Schedule: Part-time (8 hours) Saturday 9AM-5PM

Rate: $21.63/hr

Victory Programs values a diverse workforce, as we collectively seek to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our employees and the people we serve. We strive to sustain healthy, functioning communities that respect and celebrate different experiences, identities, cultures and ideas. 

Victory Programs has helped individuals and families in crisis for 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Most struggle with homelessness, substance use and mental health, and many live with HIV/AIDS. Our team of more than 250 staff across 21 programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges our clients face.

Our benefit program includes a 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution, 100% employer paid disability and life insurances, 19 days of earned time in your first year, sick time, personal days, tuition remission, and a retirement savings opportunity.