Program Associate, Statewide Harm Reduction Center

• Position: Program Associate, Statewide Harm Reduction Center
• Status: Full-Time, Overtime Non-Exempt
• Reports to: Manager, Statewide Harm Reduction Center
• Supervises: N/A
• Salary: $50,000 
• Location: New Brunswick, NJ
• To apply: Applications will be accepted through 9am on Monday, September 2 & will be considered on a rolling basis. Apply using BambooHR.

Visit www.njharmreduction.org to learn more about New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition's history, mission, vision, values, and current programs.

The Role:

NJHRC operates a mail-based Statewide Harm Reduction Center (HRC) to help ensure widespread access to harm reduction supplies and naloxone (the medicine that reverses an opioid overdose) in New Jersey. This position will be responsible for fielding all supply requests for NJHRC’s mail-based program and ensuring timely shipping and logistical integrity.

Our focus is on supply availability and connections to care for people who use drugs and their networks. We accomplish this through high-volume distribution to: Individuals for their personal use; individuals who are “peer connectors” distributing naloxone and safer use supplies to their social networks; and community-based organizations that want to incorporate harm reduction supplies including naloxone and drug testing supplies into their existing offerings (for example, mutual aid groups, community outreach groups, homeless service providers, recovery organizations)..

NJHRC’s mail-based services are in a period of rapid growth. We are focused on increasing supply distribution and promoting mail-based services, in English and Spanish language, in areas of New Jersey with high overdose rates and where overdose rates are rising among Black and Hispanic/Latinx/Latine residents.

Job Duties:

• Promptly process order requests through various internal and external channels such as NEXT Distro, internal incoming requests, Community Distribution channels, and New Jersey Department of Health Overdose Hotspot Initiative. 
• Monitor the toll-free “warm line” 1-877-4NARCAN and respond in a timely fashion to all order requests via phone, text, email, and online form. Communicate promptly with phoneline volunteers and ensure efforts are coordinated. 
• Prepare safer use kits and supplies on a regular basis in coordination with the Operations and Harm Reduction Supply Team.
• Sort and handle mail and prepare packages for shipment.
• Maintain accurate records of daily requests, inventory, and supply counts and successfully translate that information to your supervisor.  
• Ensure that requested harm reduction supplies are processed within internal guidelines and key performance indicators (KPIs). 
• Meet the physical requirements of a mail-based supply program by being able to lift, carry and move packages and boxes up to 25 pounds. Accommodations may be established with your supervisor and/or the NJHRC Human Resources team. 
• Cross-train and provide back-up support for other NJHRC initiatives and programs.

The above duties are for the first six months of the position and may be adapted or revised based on both the insights and on-the-job experiences of the Program Associate, your supervisor, and NJHRC’s organizational needs as we grow, scale, and evaluate our staffing needs to align with strategic priorities and day-to-day organizational realities.

Preferred Qualities:

Strong applicants will have demonstrated experience with logistics, customer/client service, and working smoothly with a team. Please be able to share your specific experiences and how they translate into your ability to learn and grow in this role, and areas where you think support and training would help you develop more of the experience described below.

• Experience in customer service or mail-based commerce, logistics and/or shipping.  
• Ability to collaborate and communicate clearly (with clarity, assertiveness, and kindness) in-person and digitally with a diverse team of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience using spreadsheets to track and report shipping/mailing data.
• Familiarity with Harm Reduction principles and commitment to equitable drug policies. 
• Comfort using computers and computer software, preferably in the GoogleSuite products (Gmail, Google Sheets) and programs like Dropbox, Slack and/or Pirate Ship. 
• Possess an understanding of nonprofit programs and ability to adapt with programmatic changes. 
• Attend or work with programs, campaigns, or initiatives centered around drug user health and/or abolishing the War on Drugs.
• A valid drivers’ license and ability to drive for work-related duties is preferred
• Experience in English and Spanish language is strongly preferred.

A Note to Potential Candidates:

Studies have shown that women, trans, and non-binary people, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) candidates are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. 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 be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and we welcome the opportunity for new insight into our work. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Compensation and Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary, NJHRC’s employee benefits package includes 100 percent employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; 20 paid vacation days, 15 paid holidays, and half day “Summer Fridays” in July and August; an Employee Assistance Program; and a $1,500 annual discretionary professional development stipend as well as organization-wide professional development opportunities.

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 adversely affected by the war on drugs.