Harm Reduction Drop-In Associate

HOURS: Part-time (25 hours/week)

PAY: $15.00/per hr starting

$18.00/per hr after 90 days

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 office 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 unstably 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 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 completing 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 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 ability to use the internet.
• 
  

VOCAL-KY offers a generous benefits package with a monthly TARC pass for travel, monthly cell phone reimbursement and wellness and vacation time.  Part-time employees who have worked at VOCAL-KY for at least 3 months and who work at least 20 hours per week are also eligible for 100% employer covered health, vision and dental insurance.

VOCAL-KY is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, people who are LGBTQ and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are especially interested in hiring those who have been adversely affected by HIV, drug use, mass incarceration and/or homelessness.

For more information please visit our website at VOCAL-KY.org

VOCAL-KY offers a generous benefits package with a monthly TARC pass for travel, monthly cell phone reimbursement and wellness and vacation time. Part-time employees who have worked at VOCAL-KY for at least 3 months and who work at least 20 hours per week are also eligible for 100% employer covered health, vision and dental insurance.