Outreach Worker
We are seeking an Outreach Worker to work as a part of a large community-level intervention aimed to reduce HIV risk and increase community cohesion among female sex workers in Baltimore, MD. The intervention is largely centered around providing services on a mobile unit and at a full-service drop-in center for sex workers. Outreach Workers will be asked to conduct community outreach, in groups of 2 or more, to provide harm reduction services, as part of the SPARC Center, which has been operating in Pig town since the summer of 2017. Outreach workers will provide safer injection equipment and education, overdose response trainings, as well as conduct HIV/STI testing and harm reduction education. This will include the distribution of drug use equipment, condoms, resource lists, hygiene items, clothes, snacks and seasonal items. Prior to any community engagement, outreach workers will be trained to administer and distribute Naloxone, and medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose of opioids (i.e., heroin, oxycontin, fentanyl), as well as trained in syringe service provision.)
*Outreach activities take place in Pigtown, Mount Clare, Carrolton Ridge, Curtis Bay and Brooklyn.
**Schedule: 4-18 hours per week. Tuesdays 11-4; Thursdays 11-4 and other outreach shifts as desired/available.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- Promote the SPARC Center services and events (clinic hours, classes, support groups etc.).
- Distribute Naloxone, train community members on its use and benefits.
- Distribute safer drug use supplies and safer sex supplies, while providing harm reduction education.
- Distribute promotional items, including condoms, hand sanitizer, lip balm, wipes, etc. Attend community meetings to promote services and develop rapport with neighborhood associations.
- Build rapport with community members, including sex workers and local business owners.
- Occasionally work in the Drop-In Center assisting with general tasks as needed.
- Potential to facilitate peer groups and trainings.
- Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to step in and out of a large transit van.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 45 lbs.
- Successful candidates will undergo training sessions prior to working in the community.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to drive a large transit van.
- Lived experience with sex work and/or drug use.
- Experience working with diverse populations including the sex worker population strongly preferred.
- Prior interview and field work experience.
- Prior experience with outreach work.
Classified Title: Outreach Worker
Role/Level/Range: ACRO37.5/02/CB
Starting Salary Range: $15.25 - $23.00 HRLY (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Casual / On Call
Schedule: As scheduled, within Monday – Friday 9:30 – 5:00 and specially scheduled outreach
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: School of Public Health
Department name: HBS-Research Projects
Personnel area: School of Public Health