Job Title: Engagement Specialist
Location: Utica Office – 287 Genesee Street, Utica, NY, 13502.
Salary: $18.50 – $19.50/hr.
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, 35 Hour Workweek (some evenings and weekends expected for outreach, tabling, meetings, workshops, conferences, and seminars).
Position Summary: The Engagement Specialist will play a crucial role in fostering connections and building relationships within the HIV, LGBTQ, and People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) communities. This position involves outreach, education, and support initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, accessibility, and engagement in health services. The Engagement Specialist will collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including community organizations, healthcare providers, and individuals, to promote health equity and address the unique needs of these populations. Responsibilities include facilitating workshops, providing resources, conducting needs assessments, and advocating for individualized support. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, cultural competence, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by these communities, enabling them to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages participation and fosters empowerment.
Apply: recruitment@acrhealth.org
Qualifications:
1. At least one year of experience in a social service or healthcare setting providing direct services to individuals who use drugs and other diverse populations, including but not limited to people of color, LGBTQI+ individuals, those with behavioral health challenges, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
2. Access to a reliable vehicle with insurance and a valid NYS driver’s license that complies with DMV screening requirements for travel purposes.
3. A demonstrated commitment to cultural humility; along with sensitivity towards HIV/AIDS, chronic illness, LGBTNC and BIPOC communities; as well as a strong alignment with the mission, vision and values of ACR Health.
4. Strong communication skills.
5. Experience delivering stigma-free, non-judgmental and culturally competent services.
Responsibilities:
1. Incorporate best practices regarding confidentiality into all job duties and communications in accordance with Article 27-F and HIPAA, ACR Health policies and procedures and other applicable regulations. Protect agency data in accordance with confidentiality procedures and protocols. Observe and abide by the HIV Confidentiality Law and HIPAA.
2. Participate in outreach and post-overdose follow-up efforts for those individuals who have previously experienced an accidental drug overdose, have co-occurring disorders and/or substance use disorders as part of the ORRT (Opioid Rapid Response Team).
3. Participate in strategic outreach in communities targeting PWUD and BIPOC communities who experience barriers to accessing healthcare, and experience higher rates of preventable hospitalizations, and are at a higher risk for accidental drug overdoses.
4. Promote low threshold and low barrier services for harm reduction, sterile syringe access, safer injection, safer use, linkage to MOUD, naloxone training, and overdose prevention kits, community education and anti-stigma education efforts.
5. Participate as a culturally competent member of the Harm Reduction Services Department and agency, which includes having the capacity to function effectively as an individual within the context of cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by clients in their communities.
6. Participate in appropriate and applicable training/professional development opportunities for a minimum of 24 hours of curriculum-based annually.
7. Maintain confidentiality of all agency clients as well as other appropriate organizational components.
8. Work in a cooperative, collegial style with all other organizational personnel. Conduct oneself in a professional manner as an agency employee and representative.
9. Perform other duties as assigned by Program Coordinator/Harm Reduction Manager, Director of Harm Reduction, Chief Program Officer and/or Chief Executive Officer.