About the position Peer Specialists are integral to our Harm Reduction Services Program and provide specialized services in a professional environment. Peer Specialists work to encourage engagement into care and support adherence to treatment by providing client centered individual and group level skill building activities to achieve client goals.

Responsibilities

• Understanding of issues related to living with HIV or AIDS
• Ability to work as part of a mobile outreach team and in the Harm Reduction Center
• Ability to work with people who use drugs
• Provide Syringe Exchange transactions
• Package harm reduction supplies for distribution to participants
• Conduct outreach activities to promote the program and increase overdose awareness
• Ability to use good judgment regarding confidentiality issues
• Ability to help clients identify risk reduction strategies (safer sex, safer drug use, needle exchange, etc.)
• Make referrals to internal programs for services that we provide
• Able to work various shifts, days, evenings, or weekend hours

Requirements

• Develop knowledge of infectious disease transmission and prevention practices for injectors (HIV, Hepatitis C, Opiate Overdose Prevention, health education, outreach strategies, harm reduction theory and practice)
• Must attend scheduled training by New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute-Harm Reduction Unit on Needle stick and Law Enforcement
• Available to work flexible schedule, including afternoons, evening and weekend rotations on occasion
• Physically able to climb stairs, move and lift boxes and supply packs weighing up to 20 pounds

Nice-to-haves

• Training in HIV 101, Peer Education/Advocacy, HIV treatment is preferred but not necessary
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
• Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)