Harm Reduction Specialist

Overview

Job: Harm Reduction Specialist

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Location: New Brunswick, NJ

Salary: $53,500 - $64,000 (the majority of candidates will start at the lowest end of this salary band)

Apply by: The priority application deadline is May 1, 2025 at 9am. We’ll continue accepting applications on a rolling basis until May 15, 2025 or until the position is filled, whichever is sooner. Decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Apply at: njhrc.bamboohr.com/careers

The Job

New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition (NJHRC) operates a Middlesex County Harm Reduction Center (HRC) located in New Brunswick, NJ. The Middlesex County HRC is a full-service syringe access program with three service lines: a drop-in center, mobile outreach and delivery, and healthcare kiosks. The Harm Reduction Specialist is a key member of the team and will provide support across service lines.

Who We Are

Incorporated in January 2020, NJHRC is a growing and fast-paced nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a New Jersey that values the safety and dignity of all people who use drugs, and to make evidence-informed harm reduction public health resources widely available to everyone in our state. We are working toward a world where there is no drug war or stigma against people who use drugs, and where all people have all the resources needed to stay alive and thrive.

NJHRC accomplishes this through direct harm reduction services, training and technical assistance, and policy advocacy. Our direct services are focused on two Harm Reduction Centers: the Middlesex Harm Reduction Center and the Statewide Harm Reduction Center (which is mail-based and uses nontraditional digital outreach and engagement methods). This job is based in the Middlesex Harm Reduction Center.

What You’ll Do

The Harm Reduction Specialist will support all service lines of the Middlesex County HRC while having either a primary focus on mobile outreach (including delivery and kiosks) or on-site services. The primary focus will be determined by the HR Specialist’s skills, strengths, and team composition; but the HR Specialist will be required to flex into other service lines, as needed.

The Harm Reduction Specialist will support mobile outreach and delivery through several activities, including but not limited to:

• Attending and contributing to program meetings
• Facilitating mobile syringe exchanges and harm reduction counseling with community members
• Organizing outreach supplies
• Stocking and driving the mobile van
• Conducting crowd engagement
• Facilitating syringe sweeps
• Delivering harm reduction supplies to members’ households
• Delivering harm reduction supplies to Middlesex County kiosks
• Responding to overdoses and other critical incidents in the community if they occur during outreach shifts
• Collecting and entering data

The Harm Reduction Specialist will support on-site syringe access services through several activities, including but not limited to:

• Attending and contributing to program meetings
• Facilitating syringe exchange and harm reduction counseling with community members within our offices at 18 Abeel Street
• Facilitating syringe sweeps
• Conducting participant engagement
• Facilitating group participant activities and/or workshops
• Organizing and stocking on-site supplies
• Play a key role in responding to overdoses and critical incidents if they occur within our building
• Collecting and entering data

Who You Are and Keys to Success (“Must-Haves”)

Job-Specific Must-Haves:

• Driver license: You hold a valid driver license, the ability to drive NJHRC’s two outreach vehicles (Ram Promaster and minivan), and meet the guidelines for drivers of agency-owned vehicles.
• Lived/Living experience: Personal experience with drug use or harm reduction is required. The ability to connect with clients through shared experience is critical to this role.
• Relationship-building: You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders, including people seeking Harm Reduction Center services, staff, neighbors, and organizational partners.
• Comfort responding to overdoses: You have experience and demonstrated ability in responding to overdoses in a community setting
• Commitment & experience with Harm Reduction best practices: You have a demonstrated commitment to harm reduction, racial justice, health equity, and the dignity and autonomy of people who use drugs. You have prior experience and training in harm reduction and implementing harm reduction best practices within an organization.

Must-Haves for all NJHRC staff:

• Problem-solving skills: You demonstrate initiative when approached with a problem and have experience successfully leading others through problem-solving.
• Self-awareness & emotional intelligence: You engage in self-reflection of your own behavior and demonstrate emotional intelligence.
• Comfort in a changing environment: You have the ability to navigate change externally with participants and with internal operations. You have the ability to lead change management projects internally.
• Embody teamwork: You have a demonstrated ability to work well with others toward shared goals, have difficult conversations, and help others master their professional responsibilities.
• Time management & prioritization skills: You have the ability to manage your time effectively, while supporting others to prioritize appropriately.

A Note to Potential Candidates

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary people, and BIPOC candidates are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and we welcome the opportunity for new insight into our work. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Salary and Benefit Details

• Salary: Salary is based on NJHRC’s Level 2 salary band of $53,500 to $64,000, with starting salary determined by salary band guidelines as they relate to the incoming employee’s demonstrated experience and “must have” and “nice to have” skillsets identified for this role. The majority of candidates will start at the lowest end of this salary band. We expect the Harm Reduction Specialist to grow in their experience, skillsets, and corresponding salary over time in the role.
• Benefits: NJHRC’s employee benefits package includes 100 percent employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and 80 percent family coverage; 20 paid vacation days, 15 paid holidays, and half day “Summer Fridays” in July and August; an Employee Assistance Program; and an annual discretionary professional development fund as well as organization-wide professional development opportunities. NJHRC is starting a retirement plan with five percent employer match shortly.

Equal Opportunity Employment

NJHRC is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. NJHRC encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibility, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction. NJHRC is particularly interested in hiring people who have been directly harmed by the War on Drugs.

Application Instructions

• How to apply: We’re so excited to hear from you! Apply online at njhrc.bamboohr.com/careers.
• The priority application deadline is May 1, 2025 at 9am. We’ll continue accepting applications on a rolling basis until May 15, 2025 or until the position is filled, whichever is sooner. Decisions are made on a rolling basis.
• Application content:The BambooHR application will ask for a resume, five screening questions, and two professional references who can speak to your relevant experiences. Applications that do not include a resume, answers to all of the screening questions, and professional references will not be considered. Screening questions are:
  • Why do you want this job?
  • What experience do you have that prepares you for this job?
  • What should a hiring manager and colleagues know about working with you?
  • Do you have a driver license and feel comfortable driving the van?
  • Are you available evenings or weekends in New Brunswick, NJ? if so, when?
  • PLUS List two references (name, phone number, and your relationship to the person)
• Note on resumes: We want to learn more about the experiences that have prepared you for this role, and no particular resume format is required or expected.
• Hiring process:After review of de-identified application materials, NJHRC will invite selected candidates to:
  • A 30-minute phone screen;
  • An interview panel;
  • A compensated employment exercise;
  • An interview with the Executive Director and reference checks.