Apply By:
04/28/24
Division:
Public Health Division
Management Level:
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefit Eligibility:
This position is eligible for Standard Benefits which includes dental, medical, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.
Description:
The Substance Use Specialist (SUS) will help lead the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation for an innovative model of Harm Reduction-focused Peer Support program to participants of the Points West SSP within Jefferson County Public Health. The SUS will work with Points West team to build on the foundation of our Harm Reduction Peer Support model by building community and stakeholder awareness while utilizing lived or living experience with drug use to support, empower, and advocate for program participants and leverage their input to improve programming.
As a part of a dynamic Harm Reduction team, the SUS will engage in daily SSP activities like conducting syringe exchanges, provide sterile equipment and education to reduce potential harms, and participate in collaborative settings like workgroups/committees internally/externally. This position is also 1 of 3 established positions to maintain a caseload of Peer Participants and will conduct Street Outreach activities with the Points West Team at least once a week.
This is an opportunity to help develop and lead one of a handful of programs around the country implementing a new model of Harm Reduction Peer Support. We’re looking for someone committed to the project and is excited to be among the first to prove the effectiveness of implementing Peer Support in a true Harm Reduction context.
Due to the nature of the role and the Peer Support discipline, applicants should have personal lived and/or living experience with drug use. Applicants will also be required to provide proof of current Colorado Peer & Family Specialist (CPFS) Certification or be willing to complete required education and certification tasks within 1 year of hire.
More about public Health
JCPH Mission : Promoting and protecting health across the lifespan through prevention, education, and partnerships for all people .
JCPH Vision : Healthy People, Healthy Places
Points West Mission : Committed to reducing the potential harms associated with drug use in a respectful, non-judgmental, and compassionate environment. We are devoted to supporting people who use drugs and combatting the stigma they experience.
Guiding Principles:
- Respect: We approach all people with esteem, understanding, dignity and empathy.
- Equity: We approach all people with fairness, impartiality, and a willingness to help others.
- Collaboration: We work collectively for the mutual benefit of the community through the sharing of information, responsibility, resources, and ideas to achieve our mission.
- Trust: We act with benevolence, integrity, transparency, reliability, and competence.
- Innovation: We empower our staff to develop ideas, measure processes and improve methods to achieve our vision.
Check out this video on Achieving the Best Health Possible: https://youtu.be/lTfQ9VX5AnE
Schedule :
This position typically operates on a Monday- Friday, 40hrs/week schedule, and requires regular on-site/in-office work in support of our clients; however, work from home one day per week is possible once training has been completed. This position also requires 1 day per week conducting street outreach activities in a variety of weather conditions year-round.
Compensation:
Hiring Range: $20.53 - 30.80 / Hour
Compensation will be determined based on education, experience and skills.
Benefits : Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules, and more . F
For more information, click Here for our Total Rewards summary.
Essential Duties:
Peer Group and Coaching:
- Facilitating individualized peer and group support to clients in substance use treatment program by using harm reduction practices through ongoing guidance, role modeling, coaching, mentoring, advocating, and motivating.
- Consistently improve knowledge and independently pursues continuing education in Peer Support domains as required to maintain Peer Certification.
- Provide general programmatic support, such as prepping and packaging of supplies and assistance with inventory and stocking.
- Referring individuals to engaging, supportive, non-judgmental, non-coercive community resources.
- Advocating on behalf of persons with substance use disorders to protect the client’s rights and to assist in reducing associated stigma.
Program Development:
- Assists with ongoing program development and quality improvement initiatives including, but not limited to standard operating procedures, case management system, participant feedback gathering, and participant/community/stakeholder education.
- Collaborating in the development and implementation of community-based education and prevention programs and helping to organize community events.
- Assisting with the development, outreach, and facilitation for harm reduction, stigma, and peer-related training .
- Exploring opportunities to expand use of evidenced based practices for substance use prevention with existing coalitions, schools, and youth-serving organizations.
- Connecting with program staff in their work with people who use drugs and those in recovery.
- Establishing opportunities for feedbac k and input from participants , and people who use drugs in the community.
Harm Reduction:
- Provide direct service delivery using a person-centered and harm reduction approach to participants accessing syringe services. Assess participants to help meet immediate basic needs to make appropriate referrals to health and support services. This includes the exchange of used syringes and drug injection equipment for safe drug use and safer sex supplies.
- Provide education in methods and practices to reduce the harms associated with drug use.
- Educate participants and community members on overdose prevention strategies and distributes naloxone and other OD prevention supplies.
- Serve within a street outreach team to expand program services and resources to meet individuals experiencing homelessness where they are at.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities that lead to success in this role include:
- Lived experience with substance use
- Knowledge of harm reduction framework , principles and implementation
- Good verbal and written communication
- Ability to help facilitate meetings and presentations
- Critical thinking and innovation
- Independent and proactive problem-solving
- Cultural and structural competency
- Familiarity with and commitment to Health Equity and Cultural/Structural Competency
- Thrives working individually and in a team
Qualifications:
Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.
Points West and JCPH also recognize that many of us with lived or living experience are likely to be concerned about their criminal history. W e recognize people are much more than their background check.
Minimal Qualifications:
- HS Diploma or GED
- At least one year s of related experience in peer or group support .
- Or an equivalent combination of education & experience.
- Lived experience with drug use.
- Commitment to Harm Reduction philosophy.
- Existing Peer Specialist Certification (CPFS) or ability to receive required 40-60 hrs of training and complete CPFS exam within 1 year of hire.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong client service and listening skills
- Well-developed communication skills (written/verbal)
Additional Job Information:
- Offer of employment contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references .
- Please note that supplemental questions requiring a written response will serve as a writing sample .
- Criminal and MVR Background checks are required for every position .
How to Apply:
Applications will be accepted electronically at Jefferson County Colorado Career Opportunities .
Applicants complete an online form and have the option to provide a resume and detailed cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for the position. Applications are reviewed for minimum qualifications listed in the qualifications section of the job bulletin, and applicants are contacted directly by the hiring team regarding next steps. To view the status of your application or direct communication from the hiring team, please log into your candidate portal .
For more details on the recruitment process, please visit https://www.jeffco.us/1860/FAQs
Questions:
- County Recruitment Team: 303-271-8400 or CareerTalent@Jeffco.us
- Library Recruitment Team: 303.275.6168 or talent@jeffcolibrary.org
- Sheriff Recruitment Team: 303.271.5332 or sheriff.recruiting@co.jefferson.co.us
Education:
High School Diploma
Experience:
Work Experience: Minimum one year
Certifications:
Languages:
Category:
Health & Human Services
