Harm Reduction Coordinator-Winnebago/Boone Counties

Harm Reduction Coordinator-Winnebago/Boone Counties

 

JOB DESCRIPTION – PDF

 

Women, trans, gender non-conforming and queer folks, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Live4Lali is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate by race, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability in its procedures and policies.

 

Substance use disorder has become a devastating epidemic with more than 2970 Americans dying every day from an accidental drug overdose. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in 2020, 2,944 people in Illinois died from overdoses, 83% were opioid-related, a 33% increase from previous year. Overdose death is currently the number one cause of accidental death, surpassing car accidents, gun violence, and suicide for the 5th year in a row. 

 

Live4Lali has been serving suburban Chicago for over ten years providing critical prevention, education, treatment access, support programs, community solutions-building initiatives, harm reduction, and overdose prevention services to decrease the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic.

 

Mission: Live4Lali works to reduce stigma and prevent substance use disorder among individuals, families, and communities, and minimize the overall health, legal and social harms associated with substance use.

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The Harm Reduction Coordinator-Winnebago/Boone Counties will co-coordinate the Harm Reduction Outreach and Overdose Prevention Program alongside the Program Manager-Winnebago/Boone Counties. The Harm Reduction Coordinator-Winnebago/Boone Counties will also take calls from community members and arrange for training for individuals without transportation if needed. 

 

Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager-Winnebago/Boone Counties, the Full-Time (40 hours) Harm Reduction Coordinator-Winnebago/Boone Counties will be part of the Live4Lali team, engaged in the following activities:

 

  • Identify areas of greatest need within Winnebago/Boone Counties, and distribute Naloxone both on the street and within existing services;
  • Engage in weekly shifts on our Mobile Outreach Project;
  • Assist with stocking, ordering and maintaining harm reduction inventory;
  • Accurately log and report data collected during outreach;
  • Provide on the spot training in harm reduction and overdose response and distribute naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication across the county;
  • Provide education on overdose prevention and harm reduction techniques;
  • Identify rehabs, shelters, supportive housing, sober living and other facilities and educate on the need to scale up access to naloxone and other safety practices, providing training where needed;
  • Identify events and organizations to connect and collaborate on harm reduction and education initiatives;
  • Provide peer support for participants including treatment navigation, housing navigation, and other social services as needed;
  • Provide transportation for individuals requiring treatment, recovery, or wrap-around services;
  • Provide increased and enhanced training to impacted persons, and the general public on first aid practices, naloxone distribution, and harm reduction practices;
  • Identify and develop safety plans with peers who are at increased risk of overdose;
  • Collect, input, and coordinate data;
  • Must have an understanding of, and ability to maintain, HIPAA compliance and participant confidentiality at all times.

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The Harm Reduction Coordinator will preferably be a person from Winnebago/Boone Counties with at least two years in recovery/remission from substance use disorder. Bilingual in Spanish a plus. They will also have a minimum of two years’ relevant work or lived experience in substance use disorder, mental health, public health or social work, and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements:

  • Direct service delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and community support systems;
  • Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges;
  • Proficiency in technology, including but not limited to Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Office Suite and GoToMeeting;
  • Demonstrated attention to detail and strong organizational skills;
  • Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of safer drug use, addictions, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, mental health, etc.;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care;
  • Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices (including syringe exchange);
  • Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges;
  • Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques;
  • Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility and assertiveness in dealing with complex issues;
  • Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, and to work independently in a high-pressure environment. CPR and Basic first aid certified preferred.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers;
  • Strong working knowledge of local health and social services;
  • Must have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and reliable inter-suburban transportation;
  • Feel comfortable driving 30-60 miles per day to serve the population, reimbursable when possible, pending grant status;
  • Must comply with all Live4Lali policies and procedures, including, but not limited to the Risk Management Guidelines.

 

The Harm Reduction Coordinator-Winnebago/Boone Counties position (full-time) is based in multiple locations. This role will require a commitment of 40 hours per week and an annual salary of $45,000 per year. The exact hours for this role are still changing as our programs expand, but as it revolves around street and mobile outreach, the hours are not a standard 9 to 5. Days and times are open to some negotiation for the right candidate. Involvement in the criminal justice system is not an automatic disqualifier. 

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should email a (1) cover letter and (2) resume with (3) two references to [email protected]

. Please use the subject line “Harm Reduction Coordinator-Winnebago/Boone Counties” Only electronic submissions will be accepted.