Equal Opportunity Employer
The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to promote health equity for marginalized communities by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, and comprehensive health and human services. Health equity is at the heart of all our work. We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status. This commitment applies to all aspects of the Health Federation of Philadelphia’s employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion.
JOB SUMMARY
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) is working to increase harm reduction resources and trainings in neighborhoods that have been most affected by the ongoing Drug War. The person filling this position will work to build relationships with a variety of neighborhood organizations, including but not limited to religious organizations, neighborhood associations, local businesses, and other community groups. The Community Engagement Specialist will interact directly with individuals who may have a stigmatizing view of substance use, as well as those in active addiction or individuals who use substances recreationally. This person must be able to train a diverse audience on overdose awareness and reversal.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Responsibilities/Duties
Under the supervision of the Community Engagement Manager, the Community Engagement Specialist will perform the following essential job functions:
- Engage in outreach efforts to contact community members, particularly in Black and Latine neighborhoods, including making cold calls.
- Conduct overdose awareness and reversal trainings as well as in-depth train-the-trainer sessions.
- Design appropriate training sessions specific to the needs of the audience.
- Coordinate with appropriate partners to allocate space for projects.
- Assist in outreach efforts to people who use drugs, providing them with Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and other harm reduction supplies
Qualifications
Education and Experience
Completion of high school or equivalent degree and 3+ years community organizing and/or harm reduction work.
Skills/Experience
- Knowledge of the philosophy and practice of harm reduction.
- Knowledge of the War on Drugs and its effects on communities of color in Philadelphia.
- Sensitivity to and experience working with ethnically, culturally, socioeconomically, and sexually diverse individuals, communities, agencies, and organizations.
- Experience considering the impacts of the work on multiple communities, particularly communities of color, in technical analysis.
- Excellent oral communication skills.
- Ability to analyze and think critically to apply reasonable judgment and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to be diplomatic.
- Experience working with health and prevention service agencies.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, and to work independently in a high-pressure environment.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.
- Knowledge of neighborhoods in Southwest, West, Northwest, or North Philadelphia or adjacent neighborhoods.
Work Environment: Standard office setting with extended periods at workstation and periodic use of office equipment. This position also requires extensive time in the field interacting with the public.
Position Type and Work Schedule: Full time position, typical hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Due to the nature of this work, many days will be spent in the field. Office location is the Philadelphia Department of Health Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction at 1101 123 S. Broad St., 11th Floor in Philadelphia.
Travel: Local travel to multiple sites several times per week, as needed.
Physical Demands: Ability to transport materials on occasion; walking to meetings in nearby offices.
Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience. Health Federation offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, which can include:
- Medical with vision benefits
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Life, AD&D and long-term care insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- 403(b) Retirement Plan, with a company contribution
- Paid time off including vacation, sick, personal and holiday
- Employee Assistance Program
Eligibility and participation is handled consistent with the plan documents and HFP policy.
Application: If interested, please send a resume/CV and a cover letter
DISCLAIMER
The Health Federation reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Company desires. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee assigned to this position. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, responsibilities and/or skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied, or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at will.” The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.