Harm Reduction Drop-In Associate

VOCAL-KY is building a movement of low-income people dedicated to ending the AIDS epidemic, the war on drugs, mass incarceration, and homelessness across the country. We fight for systemic change rooted in justice, compassion, and love. We do this through community organizing, leadership development, policy advocacy, and direct action with the belief that true social change must come from the bottom up and is led by those most directly impacted.

The VOCAL-KY o ce provides an onsite and evidence-based, low-threshold harm reduction space for folks directly impacted by the war on drugs, mass incarceration, HIV/AIDS, and homelessness. While VOCAL-KY does not provide direct services, services are provided on-site by local organizations serving people who use drugs, and people unhoused or unstable housed.

This position will help to oversee a safe and compassionate drop-in space. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of harm reduction principles and a commitment to building power among low-income people who use drugs to fight for social justice.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE but not limited to:

Support drop-in center activities such as:

• managing the flow of people coming into the building
• preparing folks for group sessions
• providing folks with educational information related to their specific needs
• assuring the safe and efficient operation of facilities, such as bathrooms, community space, and workstations.
• Monitor bathroom facilities to ensure everyone's health & safety
• Provide harm reduction education and support, connections to resources and referrals, and complete any applicable documentation.
• Assist with planning and coordination of the community partner schedule.
• Day-to-day reception and administrative duties, e.g., answering phones, greeting folks, light housekeeping, etc.
• Commitment to professional development, e.g.; attend training, community partner events, and conferences to enhance skills and knowledge.

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will be an energetic and self-motivated person with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. This is a public-facing position involving direct contact with unhoused community members who could be struggling with mental health and/or substance use challenges. This role requires patience, compassion, and a mindset that every person deserves dignity and respect. This candidate will have:

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, i.e. ability to work collaboratively, give and receive feedback, and build working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Strong de-escalation and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, i.e.; organizing supplies, scheduling, attending meetings and events on time.
• At least 1 year of customer service or office setting is preferred.
• Completion of BLS and Naloxone training within 30 days of hire date, if not already completed.
• Ability to complete audit-worthy documentation in a timely manner.
• Compassion for people who use drugs and a deep commitment to harm reduction theory and practice.
• Willingness to attend additional in-house and external training.
• Previous experience providing prevention education, safer substance use, and safe sex strategies and education strongly preferred.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to use the internet, Google Workspace and Slack