Title: Community Access Information & Referral Specialist

Department: Community Access

Reports To: Director, Community Engagement

Location: 2134 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10302

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Rate/Benefits: The pay range for this role is generally $37,000-40,000 annually, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. Additionally, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes generous paid time off (4 weeks of vacation plus paid holidays, personal, and sick time), medical, dental, vision, supplemental benefits including employer provided basic life insurance and employee assistance programs, tuition reimbursement and fitness reimbursement after 1 year of employment, a retirement plan that includes employer matching, and more!

Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI) drives dramatic improvements in the health of New Yorkers by feeding people who are hungry, healing families broken apart by violence, and bridging the gaps between people and the compassionate health care they deserve. CHASI serves the most vulnerable individuals, families, and communities with critical services and programs. CHASI provides outreach, education, prevention, and direct support services for populations most affected by health disparities – the poor and working poor, low-income people with chronic illnesses, persons with criminal justice involvement, substance users, domestic violence survivors, people of color, and the LGBTQ community.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Information and Referral (I&R) Specialist assists with CHASI's Community Food Pantry operations and conducts outreach to substance users to engage persons in services, provides a wide range of linkage & navigation services, provides individual education to reduce health-related harm from injection and other drug use, conducts sterile syringe exchange, trains on opioid overdose reversal, and delivers HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) counseling and testing. The I&R Specialist primarily works at the community access center to reach long-term and newer substance users, to partner with them as they set their own goals for improving their health and well-being, and to help them navigate service systems to achieve those goals.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct group presentations to engage and inform substance users about harm reduction interventions.
• Conduct harm reduction-oriented individual and group education encounters with substance users to reduce the transmission of blood-borne diseases, other infections, and drug overdose.
• Enroll individuals in State-authorized syringe exchange program and provide exchanges that promote the consistent use of sterile syringes and safe collection of used syringes and provide safer injection counseling.
• Distribute Naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdose and provide group and individual training on their correct use of Naloxone.
• Conduct HIV and HCV counseling, testing, partner notification and linkage services, in accordance with standards set by NYS Department of Health/AIDS Institute and CHASI.
• Deliver community-based education and risk reduction education and materials to targeted populations and the community.
• Provide information, referral, navigation, and coordination assistance that links individuals to health and human services responsive to their individually expressed needs and interests.
• Collaborate with harm reduction and community access staff on the identification of service provision, trends in local drug use, and service providers that are substance user friendly.
• Support the food pantry staff and volunteers during operations when needed.
• Complete accurate documentation service provision using hard copy tools and electronic data systems.
• Track inventory of harm reduction program supplies.
• Complete internal and external training to maintain knowledge and skills related to harm reduction, culturally competent service delivery, and other job-relevant topics.
• Actively participate in staff meetings and other agency activities.
• Encourage a sense of commitment, camaraderie, and accountability among team members by modeling these qualities.
• Screen incoming phone calls and provide administrative support on a periodic basis.
• Provide services on the Mobile Health Unit as assigned.
• Perform all functions in alignment with CHASI’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience working with substance using persons and diverse populations strongly preferred.
• Conversant with harm reduction practices, philosophy, and interventions.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team with demonstrated ability to contribute positively to a team-based work environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong oral and written communications skills; ability to manage communications tactfully and professionally with a high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Driver's license and clean driving record preferred.
• Must have flexible schedule and be able to work weekends.

CHASI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring and supporting a diverse staff. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.