Outreach Specialist

Position Description

Outreach Specialist

Outreach Specialist is responsible for providing an array of in-house and mobile-based harm reduction services to individuals in the target population, including veterans, people experiencing homelessness, people who actively use and inject drugs, people living with HIV or Hepatitis C, people who engage in sex work, and other high-risk populations. This position provides safer use supplies, personal care items and pantry, health education, and assistance with referrals. Overdose prevention education is conducted on a regular basis to all clients with a history of substance use. The Outreach Specialist will work with patient navigation staff to link individuals to additional services.

The Outreach Specialist will also work to collaborate with other veteran-serving organizations to connect individuals with substance use and harm reduction services, provide additional opportunities to connect with supportive care, and to ensure access to needed medical assistance. Services are conducted utilizing a harm reduction approach that supports the client in identifying their own goals around substance use and safer sex. We support clients who are actively using, those who use occasionally, and those who are in recovery.

This position will start March 1, 2026.

Essential Job Functions

• Support syringe exchange services in accordance with state, city, and agency regulations:
  • Monitor disposal of syringes being returned into the sharps container and count replacements
  • Distribute safer injection supplies
  • Safeguard inventory
  • Adhere to needle stick prevention guidelines
• Conduct street-based outreach in an effort to engage and recruit clients into services; this includes conducting outreach with an integrated team in locations where our populations are visible and in need of services, distributing materials and information about services;
• Conduct a range of support and outreach activities to vulnerable populations (veterans, IDUs, substance users, sex workers, etc.), including but not limited to the following:
  • Provide relevant, accurate, and appropriate risk reduction information via counseling and education, distributing literature and outreach supplies, safer sex supplies, hygiene kits and explaining how supplies may be used to reduce risk;
  • Conduct individual and group overdose prevention trainings; these trainings help clients recognize, prevent, and treat an opiate overdose;
  • Coordinate referral to patient navigation/medical services. Initiate referrals to additional social support services;
  • Provide Risk Reduction counseling and Education relating to HCV prevention and treatment, overdose prevention, substance use and safer sex;
  • Provide Hepatitis and health care coordination to appropriate clients;
  • Make referrals as needed to low threshold medical services, substance use treatment, mental health services, case management, housing services, food pantry, benefits, emergency needs and other services;
  • Discuss PrEP and PEP with all HIV-negative individuals who are interested in additional HIV prevention options. Make referrals as appropriate to patient navigators.
• Collaborate with other veteran-serving organizations to connect individuals with substance use and harm reduction services
  • With the support of the Managing Director and in collaboration with the Patient Navigator, connect with managers and staff of veteran-serving organizations to ensure linkage to needed services.
  • Identify resources and promote program; serve as liaison to internal and external service providers and the community by conducting presentations on all program activities, attending joint events, and connecting for referrals between organizations.
• Conduct a range of activities with community members and businesses to foster good community relations and lessen fears of program activities in the neighborhoods served by the program including:
  • Providing information about program services
  • Asking how the program can serve the community
  • Asking what services are needed but currently lacking
  • Networking with community members

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain all paperwork and submit on-time to manager.
• Drive program vehicles and other vehicles as needed.
• Maintain vehicle maintenance and upkeep, including timely reporting to supervisor of any problems with the vehicle (i.e. leaks, oil, break flasher, inspection, registration etc.)
• Completing daily vehicle logs and keep vehicle clean and ready for the next shift.
• Ensure vehicles are sufficiently stocked with program supplies and paperwork on a daily basis to ensure supply needs are met. Driver (staff) will make a list of any supplies need it for the next day at the end of the day.
• Attend trainings, service planning sessions, and other activities to ensure the provision of the most up-to-date and culturally appropriate services.
• Maintain the highest level of professionalism at all times.
• Participate in data-driven and clinical supervision, as well as departmental, divisional, and staff meetings.
• Other related duties as assigned

Education and Certification

• Valid New York State driver’s license required.

Special Skills and Knowledge

• Experience working with street-based populations, such as people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and sex workers
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus
• Knowledge of harm reduction and the risks associated with injection drug use and sexual health
• Ability to listen to and communicate clearly and respectfully with people who use drugs, community members, peers, volunteers and agency staff
• High level of self-motivation
• Commitment to working as a member of a team
• Able to work with a team with different attitudes and personalities.
• Flexibility and willingness to work outdoors, including inclement weather conditions, and weekends as need it.
• Veterans strongly encouraged to apply.