Participant Engagement Specialist

Organization

Sonoran Prevention Works is a statewide harm reduction nonprofit working to build a healthy Arizona with people who use drugs. SPW takes a systems-based and person-first approach to drug use, working to support individuals in achieving safety and health, provide technical support to organizations who interface with people who use drugs, and change local and state-level policy to embrace evidence-based changes. SPW expects all of its staff to engage on a journey of understanding and working toward racial justice. The organization currently maintains a staff of 40 employees in 7 counties, with a budget exceeding $4 million.

Position Description

Reporting to the Systems Change Associate Program Director, the Participant Engagement Specialist will take responsibility for helping SPW live its value of centering people who use drugs (PWUD). They will do this by building relationships with PWUD at our standing outreach sites and elsewhere in the community, convening advisory boards to identify new strategies to support a diverse range of people who use drugs, and educate external stakeholders on the real-time needs and experiences of PWUD. This position will complete regular fixed responsibilities, as well as have the opportunity to take on special one-time projects related to Participant Engagement Specialist.

Responsibilities

Regular responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Participant Engagement (50%)

• Build relationships with participants by attending and supporting Syringe Services Program sites and conducting street and digital outreach
• Provide education and development opportunities to emerging community leaders to build power & improve equitable access to care/services among people who use drugs.
• Ensure participant retention through rapport building and encouragement of participant-led efforts.
• Identify resources that participants have indicated are supportive of a harm reduction approach
• Identify trends in drug use and drug markets through participant relationships to share out with wider audiences of PWUD and with the rest of the organization

Community Advisory Board (30%)

• Solicit feedback and input from a wide range of participants about harm reduction supplies & resources offered, reporting back to SPW team for its strategic planning.
• Facilitate broader discussions with Advisory Board members about ways to increase community safety and decrease stigmatizing experiences among people who use drugs.
• Expand the network of participants engaged in harm reduction services and advocacy.
• Ensure SPW is accountable to the feedback by providing actions taken based on information solicited from Advisory Board members

Community and Professional Communication (20%)

• Translating the experience and needs of participants to professionals including but not limited to behavioral health & medical professionals and health department personnel.
• Liaising between people who use drugs and academic partners who may have opportunities to include their expertise in research projects.
• Keeping SPW staff informed of evolving harm reduction and drug use trends
• Facilitating and ensuring the information feedback loop between participants, community members, and health professionals
• Entering and interpreting collected data in a timely manner

The Participant Engagement Specialist will also be responsible for attending relevant weekly meetings with other staff & take on additional projects related to their role, and other tasks as requested.

Required Qualifications

• Must be proficient in Google Suite
• Located in Maricopa County, willingness & ability to travel to other counties periodically
• Proficiency in harm reduction framework
• Must have active drivers license and reliable transportation
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent at developing & maintaining relationships
• Excellent organizational and self-management skills
• Creative in problem-solving
• Proficiency in public speaking and facilitation
• Excellent oral and communication skills
• Must embrace the concept of harm reduction and be comfortable engaging with people who use drugs and their families
• Must have a habit of excellent attendance
• Personal lived experience with drug use

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluent in Spanish or American Indigenous language
• Community organizing experience

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times

Applicants who are fluent in Spanish &/or American Indigenous language, people of color, LGBTQIA2S+, &/or with lived experience with drug use, sex work, HIV/AIDS, or hepatitis C are strongly encouraged to apply.

Reports to: Systems Change Associate Program Director

Supervision Responsibilities: None

Travel: 10% of the time

Compensation & Benefits

Sonoran Prevention Works offers benefits that include health, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents with significant employer contribution, retirement with company match, up to 120 hours of paid vacation in the first year with additional annual accrual, 2 weeks of sick leave, paid holiday leave for all federal holidays and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, company cell phone, travel reimbursement, and some schedule flexibility.

To Apply

In order for your application to be considered complete, you must submit a resume, cover letter, answer Indeed’s supplemental questions, and complete both Indeed assessments.

Applicants who fail to complete all of these requirements will not be considered for further review. The priority deadline for submission is February 16th, 2024. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Sonoran Prevention Works is an equal opportunity employer. SPW does not discriminate in any of its activities or operations on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, drug-related criminal record, marital status, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, substance use, or military status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• working in a substance use setting: 1 year (Preferred)
• public outreach: 1 year (Preferred)
• educational public speaking: 1 year (Preferred)
• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)
• Google Drive: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• American Indigenous language (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Maricopa, AZ: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Multiple locations