Prevention Coordinator - Peer Support Specialist

Position: Prevention Coordinator - Peer Support Specialist

Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Prevention Services Manager

Location: Pueblo, Colorado (in-state travel required)

Starting Salary: $ 41,445 (3 years of experience or less) - $45,176 (3+ years of experience)

Position Summary:

• Coordination and implementation of harm reduction-centered mobile outreach services in Pueblo County
• Flexibility and comfort working in non-traditional settings, including encampments, supportive housing
• Engage with people who use drugs (PWUD) and provide responsive services
• Provide referrals and support linkage-to-care within a harm reduction framework

COVID-19 Information: It is an essential function and business necessity of the job that all employees are vaccinated and that all new hires will be required to be vaccinated within four weeks of hire. CHN requires proof of vaccination as this is a business necessity of the job. CHN will discuss reasonable exemptions for medical and religious purposes. If CHN considers making an offer of employment, CHN will inquire about vaccination status at that time, including whether the new hire currently has COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms.

Service Area:

This position is based in Pueblo County, with work occurring primarily inside Pueblo County. There are opportunities to travel across the state to support other CHN offices, as well as support program development primarily across Southeast Colorado (Baca, Bent, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, and Prowers Counties).

Essential Job Functions:

General Duties

Maintain understanding of current and developing overdose/HIV/HCV/STI prevention issues and trends, best practices around harm reduction, sexual health, trauma-informed care, and anti-stigma.

• Work collaboratively with the statewide prevention services team to develop and support programs that are culturally competent and responsive to participants and clients accessing prevention services.
• Support the development and implementation of multi-service mobile outreach services within Pueblo County, with an emphasis on linkage-to-care for people who use drugs (PWUD).
• Participate in the development of marketing materials specific to prevention services, including social media content, posters, flyers, newsletters, etc.
• Represent the organization at community events, meetings, and educational presentations as needed.
• Participates in departmental agency retreats and meetings.

Completes agency and funder training requirements necessary for this role; participates in relevant trainings as identified/needed.

Specific Duties

Support development of new/existing mobile outreach services; including programmatic tracking tools, documentation, and determining sites and services/resources.

• Support implementation of mobile multi-service outreach, including packing/stocking supplies, coordinating an outreach schedule, data tracking, and reporting of activities.
• Provide in-person support at SCHN Pueblo's harm reduction program; including new client intakes, distribution of safer use supplies, safer use and overdose prevention education, and quality assurance.
• Maintain a strong referral network for services relevant to PWUD health; including medical services, substance use treatment/recovery services, mental health, and supportive services to include housing, food banks, employment, identification card services, etc.
• Maintain personal boundaries and demonstrate willingness to appropriately disclose and engage with clients from a lens of personal experience(s).
• Cross-train on additional prevention services; including HIV/HCV/STI testing and risk reduction counseling, phlebotomy, PrEP navigation, etc.

This list is not meant to be comprehensive; other duties may be assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school degree or GED
• Active and current Colorado Driver's License and reliable transportation
• Previous experience working with basic office computer programs, including Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, SharePoint) and database systems
• Ability to work with standard office equipment, including computer workstations, printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, and integrated phone systems
• Integrity, personal and professional accountability, initiative, and cultural competency
• Superior collaboration, communication, and organizational abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual (Spanish preferred)
• Social Media/Marketing skills
• Educational/facilitation skills
• Previous experience working in an outreach setting
• Knowledge of the local community
• Previous experience developing, implementing, and/or supporting delivery of evidence-based harm reduction programs
• Previous experience providing HIV/HCV/STI testing and risk reduction counseling sessions; particularly with persons at elevated risk for acquiring bloodborne infections. This includes PWUD, people experiencing homelessness, persons who were recently incarcerated, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people engaged in sex work.

Education/Experience:

We recognize that education and experience hold equal value in regards to qualifications. People with lived/living experience are uniquely (or highly) qualified to provide harm reduction and sexual health services. We strongly encourage people of all educational backgrounds and life experiences to apply.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions:

Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 55 lbs

• Must be able to move, stand, and remain stationary for long periods of time
• Must be able to work in different environments, to include office and outdoor settings
• Must work outdoors in all weather conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made to support employee safety and comfort.

As employees of a charitable organization, all CHN staff share the responsibility of serving as ambassadors for the organization in the community. This can be achieved by fostering the development of relationships with potential constituents/donors as well as by participating in CHN events/activities in a way that is meaningful to each employee.

General Benefits Description:

We offer full-time employees a comprehensive benefits plan that includes: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, 403(b), Legal Shield, FSA, Life Insurance, EAP, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability.

About Us:

Our employees are the most valuable asset we have. We celebrate and encourage applications from those with lived experiences as it relates to this job posting. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and CHN's commitment to the communities we serve.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve the mission of the Colorado Health Network will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment as we embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, color, disability, HIV status, ethnicity, family or marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, substance use history, genetic information, prior protected activity and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

We highly recommend people of all educational background and life experiences apply. We believe that people with lived experience are among the most qualified to provide harm reduction and sexual health services. We believe that the people we serve must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people who hold these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

How to Apply

Please visit the below link to apply. Please include a cover letter.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at hr@coloradohealthnetwork.org

Application deadline: Open Until Filled