Harm Reduction Outreach Specialist

Under supervision, the Harm Reduction Outreach Specialist provides enhanced outreach in the community, targeting high-risk sub-populations of individuals to promote and facilitate access to preventative health supplies, counseling and testing services, individual and group level education and risk reduction counseling, and other prevention interventions and supportive services. This position will fully integrate evidence-based outreach methods including assertive engagement and using a Harm Reduction model where the emphasis is on meeting individuals “where they are at” and providing non-judgmental, non-coercive services and resources to individuals. 

Primary Responsibilities

Performs administrative support work, where there is some opportunity to reduce expenses and prevent loss through problem solving and attention to detail. Does not provide supervision, but some training or work direction may be provided to other support staff. 
 
Population being served will include:

• Injection and non-injection drug users
• People that engage in sex work
• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• Individuals who have been incarcerated

Services provided by the Harm Reduction Outreach Specialist and FCPH:

• Syringe services (including syringe exchange) & related Harm Reduction services.
• Overdose prevention training and naloxone distribution.
• Community health and social service referrals.
• Medication Assisted Treatment referrals.
• Training and education to community-based services on the public health benefits of syringe services, overdose prevention education, and Harm Reduction programs.
• Assistance in accessing food support, substance use treatment, medical services, clothing, and housing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Manage the daily operations of needle/syringe exchange and overdose prevention services on and off site. This includes ensuring adequate program coverage, opening/closing procedures, availability of risk reduction supplies & information, event coordination, general cleanliness of the space, and inventory/ordering.
2. Provide written and verbal Harm Reduction information on safer injection strategies, vein and abscess care, overdose prevention and HIV, STI and Hepatitis transmission prevention to program participants.
3. Provide participants with easily accessible and low threshold services that operate within the Harm Reduction framework. This includes assisting clients with accessing support services such as primary care, substance use treatment, behavioral health services, homeless shelters, and legal advocacy, as well as enrolling them in syringe exchange and overdose prevention services as appropriate and when requested.
4. Develop relationships and linkages with area substance use treatment providers.
5. Conduct on and off-site HIV/HCV counseling and rapid testing sessions, provide referrals as necessary.
6. Provide training on overdose prevention and naloxone distribution to participants and community partners. 
7. Directly respond to client needs and crisis situations as appropriate.   
8. Facilitate support and education groups as well as consumer advisory groups as needed. 
9. Educate participants on ways to reduce the potential for harm associated with substance use and other related activities.
10. Attend program, department and agency meetings and trainings.  
11. Attend community provider meetings/committees that address target population(s) issues and concerns and act as agency liaison to these provider groups when appropriate.
12. Compilation of data and statistics related to activities of the position as required.
13. Assist in evaluation and improvement of program services.
14. Local travel on behalf of the agency is required. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.
15. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
16. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work; Uses protective measures when administering first aid to clients or searching persons or their belongings;
17. Ensures that others in the shelter use proper protective equipment;
18. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed, makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable, seeking outside assistance as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in a human services, health or related field and 2+ years related work experience. Strong knowledge of Harm Reduction and opioid overdose prevention strategies strongly preferred. The incumbent must possess a current valid driver’s license. 
 
Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Commitment to person-centered services, motivational interviewing, and trauma informed care.
• Significant knowledge of health-related social issues faced by injection drug users.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft office and experience with electronic data collection.
• Experience conducting trainings and facilitating support and educational groups preferred.
• Self-directed, motivated, and flexible with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities.

Physical Demands

Medium Work. Most work is performed in a homeless shelter environment or in locations frequented by homeless persons. Work is generally medium with considerable variety. Daily work often involves moving within the facility and traveling within the City. Daily driving is required. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue or have behaviors associated with substance abuse or mental health. Occasionally there is a requirement to actively participate in day-to-day maintenance and operations activities. There may be intermittent exposure to disagreeable working conditions associated with guest behavior, illness, or hygiene. This job works a variety of hours to include daytime, evening, and night to meet the needs of the program.

Agency Summary:
Fargo Cass Public Health strives to provide the Essential Public Health Services to achieve equity and actively promote policies, systems, and overall community conditions that enable optimal health for all and seek to remove systemic and structural barriers that have resulted in health inequities. Such barriers include poverty, racism, gender discrimination, ableism, and other forms of oppression. Everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Fargo Cass Public Health is a politically neutral organization focused on evidence-based and fundamental public health practices that reflect the mission of Public Health to prevent, promote, and protect. Staff of Public Health are expected to represent these principles and be advocates of public health practices within the community and state.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.