Bilingual Outreach Specialist

As an Outreach Specialist, you’ll actively be out in the community increasing awareness of HIV prevention and the array of services at Southwest Center. Known for your dependability, you are regularly on the go traveling to events and community partner organizations. This role has a high level of cultural competency and creativity to connect with the unique needs of communities of color and the LGBTQIA++ community.

Daily, you will contribute to the Southwest Center mission of providing affirming and inclusive services to promote well-being and advance health equity for diverse communities and all those seeking compassionate care - especially people of color, LGBTQIA2S+ and Queer individuals, and those affected by HIV.

Schedule: 40 hours per week. Weekly schedule varies based on business needs and event schedule; some evenings and weekend shifts are required.

What your day will look like at Southwest Center:

• Identify opportunities for outreach, including planning and creating events which will include HIV/STI testing, condom distribution, and PrEP awareness among communities that are disproportionately affected by HIV.
• Be a cheerful voice in the community for the Southwest Center and provide referral and connective services for all areas of the agency, including prevention and community services, the wellness clinic, behavioral health services, and medical case management.
• With the team, create marketing materials for HIV and programmatic awareness campaigns in the community.
• Provide clear, understandable, current, and accurate information to clients, consumers, community members, and volunteers. Provide prevention and harm reduction information that demonstrates respect, active listening skills, empathy, and patience in a non- judgmental, stigma-free way.
• Recruit and manage volunteers for the volunteer program.
• Administer/collect whole blood specimen through finger stick and venipuncture to test for HIV.
• Document client records and services; maintain files and data for reporting purposes and contribute to programmatic reporting requirements.
• Drive personal vehicle to attend community events and conduct program business.

We've got great benefits:

• 200 hours of PTO per year
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance paid by Southwest Center
• Retirement savings

Who we're looking for:

• You've graduated from High School or completed your GED.
• You have 1 or more years of experience providing direct service in communities of color and/or the LGBTQIA community.
• You have a demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with clients, other employees, representatives from community resource groups, contract agencies, and the general public.
• You’re able to relate to people living with HIV/AIDS, gay/bisexual men, transgender persons, and individuals from diverse socio-cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• You're proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) software applications and competent in using electronic medical records and information systems in providing effective documentation of patient care.
• You have a valid driver’s license, insurable driving record, and access to a reliable personal vehicle for work-related events.
• Demonstrated cultural competency to professionally and respectfully serve the LGBTQIA2S+ communities required.
• All agency employees must be able to work effectively in a mission-driven agency whose clients and staff exhibit significant diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, and religion.
• You're bilingual in Spanish and English.

We'd love to see you apply if you have these preferred qualifications too:

• You have two or more years of post-high school education.
• You have two years of paid or unpaid experience providing direct service to individuals who are homeless, individuals with serious mental illness, individuals with substance use disorders, and/or individuals who are gay/bisexual, or individuals who are transgender.
• You have a sound understanding of HIV/AIDS and a strong grasp of community resources (medical, mental health, and social service delivery systems) available to individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Environmental Factors, Physical Requirements, and Compliance

• This hourly, full-time (40 hours/week) position includes direct client contact and will also provide field-based direct services. This position requires a flexible work schedule, including normal business hours and frequent evening and weekend hours.
• Work will occur in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential and out of the office in settings such as bars, bathhouses, festivals, and community centers.
• This position will require regularly moving and/or lifting items.
• Currently have, or be able to obtain within 90 days of employment, a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Currently have, or are able to obtain within 7 days of employment, a clear TB test.
• Currently have, or are able to obtain within 7 days of employment, a current flu vaccination.
• Currently have, or are able to initiate within 7 days of employment, a COVID-19 primary vaccination series.
• Currently have, or are able to initiate within 7 days of employment, a Hepatitis-B primary vaccination series.
• Currently have, or are able to obtain within 14 days of employment, a CPR certification.

Equal EmploymentOpportunity

The Southwest Center is an equal opportunity employer and we value a healthy work environment free from harassment and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information. The Southwest Center provides an inclusive and respectful working environment that represents a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, identities, and experiences. We attract applicants who have the cultural awareness to navigate and celebrate these differences. Our employees are Individuals who have respect for the communities where they live and work and are committed to utilizing culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies and skills in a collaborative environment. We welcome all applicants with personal, direct and/or indirect knowledge of the lives and experience with but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); LGBTQIA2S+/Queer individuals; those affected by HIV, people living with disabilities; people with diverse religious beliefs, and other marginalized Individuals that are at the intersections of those identities/experiences. We also encourage those from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

Reasonable Accommodations

Applicants requesting a reasonable accommodation to apply or participate in the interview process for this position should email hr@swcenter.org.