Drug Checking Technician And Harm Reduction Specialist (Research Assistant)

The Heller School at Brandeis University seeks to hire a bachelors level Drug CheckingTechnician and Harm Reduction Specialist to work on ongoing and a new project at the Institute for Behavioral Health (IBH). Please see www.streetcheck.org for more information. This person will work closely with the principal investigator as well as with the community engagement and Harm Reduction manager, Drug Checking technical manager, and other technicians. Position is available immediately.

Key Responsibilities:

• Regularly visit local Boston area programs to support community Drug Checking efforts
• Follow proper health and safety protocols per good laboratory practice
• Perform specimen cataloging and testing of controlled substances and drug packaging materials using study devices: FTIR spectrometer and lateral flow immunoassay (aka test strips).
• Catalog and communicate results to site participants, research team and community partners per protocol.
• Log Results, enter data into and manage database
• Assist with preparation of communications campaigns for public health and Harm Reduction
• Support the coordination of a new network of community Drug Checking programs

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree or substantial Harm Reduction program work experience required. Familiarity with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, other community Drug Checking methods, or willingness to learn is required.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, organization, writing skills are necessary. Skilled use of standard computer programs (Excel) and willing to learn new software as needed.

Excellent attention to detail and time management, working under deadliness, able to prioritize multiple tasks, and problem solving required. Must be able to travel locally with own car. Note that many site visits are Boston-based.

Brandeis University Diversity Statement

Established in 1948 as a model of ethnic and religious pluralism, Brandeis University:

• Considers social justice central to its mission as a nonsectarian university founded by members of the American Jewish community.
• Aims to engage members of our community as active citizens in a multicultural world.
• Seeks to build an academic community whose members have diverse cultures, backgrounds and life experiences.
• Believes that diverse backgrounds and ideas are crucial to academic excellence.
• Recognizes the need to analyze and address the ways in which social, cultural and economic inequalities affect power and privilege in the larger society and at Brandeis itself.
• Honors freedom of expression and civility of discourse as fundamental educational cornerstones.
• Seeks to safeguard the safety, dignity and well-being of all its members.
• Endeavors to foster a just and inclusive campus culture that embraces the diversity of the larger society

Work Remotely

• Yes, though this position requires regular on-site visits to community partners (cannot be performed remotely) and will be need to be on campus in Waltham weekly

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 38 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 2 years

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• This person will work closely for sample collection and on-site testing with community organizations that provide services for people who use drugs. Please confirm your comfort and/or experience with these expectations.
• This position will require operation of an FTIR spectrometer. Please indicate how many years of experience and your level of expertise in operating an FTIR AND conducting spectral analysis with FTIR scans. If you have none, please first visit https://www.info.streetcheck.org/blank and speak to your willingness to learn and operate FTIR for Drug Checking.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person