Harm Reduction Manager

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.

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 (which this job will support) and the Statewide Harm Reduction Center (which is mail-based and uses nontraditional digital outreach and engagement methods).

The Opportunity: Harm Reduction Manager/Senior Manager

We’re looking for a harm reduction leader to put the TLC into building out NJHRC’s Middlesex Harm Reduction Center (HRC), which is based in New Brunswick and serves Middlesex County. The Middlesex Harm Reduction Center service lines are: drop-in center, mobile outreach/delivery, and healthcare kiosks.

You’ll wear multiple hats as you lead daily program operations, facilitate direct service shifts, and supervise and support a growing frontline team. You’ll be working alongside your team practicing and modeling stellar harm reduction counseling skills, while simultaneously developing the systems, schedules, and team culture that make excellent services possible.

The role is best suited for someone who is flexible and adaptable and who thrives in developing an expanding high-impact, quality program. You will demonstrate a commitment to supporting people who use drugs and are actively targeted by drug war enforcement.

What You’ll Do

Lead day-to-day operations (50%)

• Schedule staff to ensure coverage for drop-in, mobile outreach, delivery, and other service lines as needed.
• Train, support, manage, and develop the frontline Harm Reduction Specialist team, balancing trauma-informed supervision with leadership coaching and burnout prevention
• Lead service shifts (both mobile/supply delivery and drop-in), conduct harm reduction counseling sessions with members, and act as an emergency responder in case of overdose
• Coordinate drop-in program calendar and activities
• Implement programmatic policies and procedures including data collection and reporting

Build relationships & expand reach (25%)

• Develop relationships with organization and community partners to promote the Middlesex HRC and develop referrals, linkages to care, collaborative services, and promotional opportunities
• Identify and act on new opportunities to expand services by connecting with and growing NJHRC's relationships with local networks of people who use drugs, people who trade sex, and people most likely to witness an overdose
• Represent NJHRC on Middlesex County coalitions of service providers
• Present information on rights of enrolled members to local law enforcement and other community stakeholders

Steward program quality & growth (25%)

• Identify opportunities for programmatic improvements and work with Program Director and Harm Reduction Specialists to make changes
• Ensure accurate and on-time data collection, entry, and reporting across service lines
• Collaborate closely with policy team to lift up advocacy opportunities to improve systems, policies, and access to care for people who use drugs
• Coordinate weekly Middlesex HRC program meetings in collaboration with Program Director
• Flex into cross-program roles and responsibilities as needed

Who You Are

You are a harm reduction leader with sound judgment, strong people skills, and a commitment to getting sh*t done with care. You get energized by building something meaningful, and you connect authentically with members, colleagues, and partners while rolling up your sleeves to do the work.

Must-haves for the job

• Relationship-building. You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders, including people seeking Harm Reduction Center services, staff, and organizational partners.
• Supervisory experience. You have experience supervising staff in a human services setting. You approach supervision with care, can give and receive feedback constructively, and support others in their professional growth.
• Working knowledge of syringe services. You have experience with both the history and practices of syringe services and multiple service delivery models (e.g. fixed site, mobile outreach via vehicle or backpack, delivery, secondary exchange) or demonstrate motivation and ability to develop this knowledge.
• Written and verbal communication skills. You communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with staff, participants, funders, and other stakeholders in both written and verbal form.
• Strong judgment and balanced autonomy. You’re comfortable taking initiative to solve problems and get sh*t done, know when to pause and get support, and independently identify which situations require input from your supervisor or collaborative team problem-solving.
• Commitment and experience with Harm Reduction. You have a demonstrated commitment to harm reduction, racial justice, health equity, and the dignity and autonomy of people who use drugs. You have experience implementing harm reduction services and practices.
• Problem-solving skills. You demonstrate initiative when problems arise and can work collaboratively to find solutions.
• Proficient with computers and basic data tools. You are comfortable with email, electronic calendars, data entry in spreadsheets or databases, and can learn new software tools as needed.

Nice-to-haves for the job

• Driver License. You hold a valid driver's license, the ability to drive NJHRC's outreach vehicles (Ford Transit and minivan), and meet the guidelines for drivers of agency-owned vehicles.
• Deeply rooted local knowledge. Familiarity with Middlesex County communities, especially networks of people who use drugs and ideas of how to improve outreach and engagement, and the local harm reduction landscape
• Bilingual English/Spanish spoken & written language skills
• Lived/living experience. Direct experience of criminalized drug use, sex trade, using incarceration, using harm reduction services, and/or harms of the drug war

Must-Haves for all NJHRC staff

• Creative problem-solving skills
• Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
• Comfort in a changing environment
• Effective teamwork
• Strong time management and prioritization skills

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.

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 qualification. 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 come from a less traditional background, and we welcome the opportunity for new insight into our work. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every qualification described.

Health benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees. For employees with eligible dependents, NJHRC pays 100% of total benefit costs (employee + dependents) up to $1,200/month.

Additional benefits: 20 paid vacation days, 15 paid holidays, half-day "Summer Fridays" in July and August; retirement plan with up to 5% employer match; Employee Assistance Program; $500 professional development fund plus organization-wide professional development opportunities.

Bilingual English/Spanish written & verbal language skills are a "nice-to-have" for this job and not required.