What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager - Harm Reduction position at LANTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC?
Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Director of Peer Programming
Location: Primarily based at [Main Office], with significant travel across Lantern programs
Status & Hours: Full-time, Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm. May be asked to adjust based on operational needs.
Who We Are
Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. Lantern was recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York.
About The Role
The Program Manager of Harm Reduction (PM/HR) provides leadership and increased capacity within Lantern’s Harm Reduction Department, which focuses on promoting health, stability, and recovery through harm reduction strategies, substance use education, and linkage to services. In close collaboration with the Director of Peer Programming, the PM/HR provides direct support and supervision of the team of Harm Reduction Specialists, who provide person-centered support to individuals experiencing challenges with higher-risk substance use and physical and behavioral health self-management and treatment engagement. The ideal candidate for this role has experience providing direct recovery-supportive care to individuals in a supportive housing and/or shelter environment, as well as experience providing supervision and/or peer coaching to colleagues.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Program Capacity Building, Administrative Support, Data & Reporting
This position operates in a supportive housing setting in New York City and works with individuals who may experience mental illness, substance use, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic health conditions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/or kneel. Occasionally, the employee may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Note
Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Lantern values the diversity of our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners, and is committed to building inclusive, vibrant, and just communities.
PI284737105
Reports to: Director of Peer Programming
Location: Primarily based at [Main Office], with significant travel across Lantern programs
Status & Hours: Full-time, Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm. May be asked to adjust based on operational needs.
Who We Are
Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. Lantern was recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York.
About The Role
The Program Manager of Harm Reduction (PM/HR) provides leadership and increased capacity within Lantern’s Harm Reduction Department, which focuses on promoting health, stability, and recovery through harm reduction strategies, substance use education, and linkage to services. In close collaboration with the Director of Peer Programming, the PM/HR provides direct support and supervision of the team of Harm Reduction Specialists, who provide person-centered support to individuals experiencing challenges with higher-risk substance use and physical and behavioral health self-management and treatment engagement. The ideal candidate for this role has experience providing direct recovery-supportive care to individuals in a supportive housing and/or shelter environment, as well as experience providing supervision and/or peer coaching to colleagues.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Program Capacity Building, Administrative Support, Data & Reporting
- Collaborate with Director of Peer Programming on program planning, policy development, and other implementation efforts to ensure consistent, high quality Harm Reduction Program services throughout all of Lantern’s Supportive Housing and Shelter programs
- Assist the Director of Peer Programming and Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (OOPP) Program Director in collecting data and reports related to overdose and serious incidents, overdose prevention/response, supply distribution, engagement and other program metrics
- Support departmental budget tracking, resource allocation, purchasing and supply inventory
- In partnership with all members of the Harm Reduction Team, develop and integrate into site-based programming evidence-informed Harm Reduction workshops, support groups, health awareness events, and community presentations
- In close collaboration with the Director of Peer Programming, provide direct supervision to Harm Reduction Specialists in both individual and group formats, including scheduling, performance management, and ongoing support
- Coach staff to enhance engagement and use of evidence-informed, recovery-oriented practices including Harm Reduction strategies, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Informed Care
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable team culture within the Harm Reduction Department and in collaboration with colleagues from other Program & Cross-Functional Teams
- Work collaboratively with Harm Reduction Specialists in assessing building-based needs and wants and translating those into high-impact on-site groups and workshops
- As needed/appropriate, travel to sites to partner with and observe the provision of Harm Reduction services and support (individual and group) by the Harm Reduction Specialists
- Identify and engage in outreach to community-based service providers who can support a robust array of Harm Reduction and other recovery-based services and supports agency-wide
- Collaborate with site-based Harm Reduction Specialists and other program staff to support client engagement in services with program partners, both on-site and in the community
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- CASAC or CASAC-T required
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience providing harm reduction and substance use services
- Experience providing direct supervision of staff and/or evidence of successful coaching/training
- Experience working with individuals impacted by homelessness, mental illness, substance use, HIV/AIDS, chronic medical conditions, or institutionalization
- Experience conducting risk assessments, making treatment referrals, and developing and facilitating groups and workshops of a supportive and skill-building nature
- Experience with evidence-based practices, including MI and TIC
- Experience with electronic case management systems (e.g., ETO, CASES, etc.)
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and projects
- Ability to work under pressure, including in crisis situations.
- Experience cultivating cross-agency community partnerships
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
This position operates in a supportive housing setting in New York City and works with individuals who may experience mental illness, substance use, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic health conditions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/or kneel. Occasionally, the employee may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Note
Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Lantern values the diversity of our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners, and is committed to building inclusive, vibrant, and just communities.
PI284737105