Harm Reduction Engagement Counselor

The Harm Reduction Therapy Center (HRTC) is seeking a part-time (20 hrs/wk) Harm Reduction Engagement Counselor to support our low-threshold drop-in harm reduction mental health program for low income, often homeless adults experiencing systemic and personal traumas, mental health and substance use challenges. HRTC works with clients at a variety of program sites including community clinics, at street-based mobile sites, at other CBO drop-in centers and syringe exchange programs, and in our own integrated drop-in treatment center. The Harm Reduction Engagement Counselor is not a clinical position; instead, the role requires personal and/or work experience and comfort engaging others in understanding and applying harm reduction principles and practices. The position will support milieu services in our drop-in, engaging with clients and prospective clients, offering introduction to services and brief education on harm reduction and harm reduction resources, including support in connecting with HRTC clinicians, as appropriate. HRTC staff are flexible and do our best to work with people “where they are at” as they move around in an effort to stay safe and healthy; we consider the streets and neighborhoods where we operate as part of our service community. Intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, creative collaboration with both colleagues and clients, and a social justice perspective are important characteristics of those who work at HRTC.

Harm Reduction Therapy Center

HRTC is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT) to diverse substance users with co-occurring mental health disorders, many of whom have extensive histories of personal and systemic trauma. HRT incorporates the public health principles of harm reduction and cognitive-behavioral approaches to change in a psychodynamic therapy model. We work with any and all issues facing each individual, in order of their priorities. We help clients discover their goals and plan realistic steps to achieve them.

HRTC has an enthusiastic and diverse team grounded in the principles of harm reduction and harm reduction therapy, knowledgeable about how drugs interact with mental health, and flexible enough to respond to difficult behaviors and crises while maintaining our stance of radical inclusion.

In our own center, at community-based organizations (Hospitality House, Homeless Youth Alliance, Navigation Centers), and in our street-based mobile programs, HRTC therapists provide individual, family, and group harm reduction therapy, crisis management, and clinical case management to active substance users, many of whom are homeless. We have several clinical partners, chief among

them Homeless Youth Alliance, Hospitality House, San Francisco Department of Public Health Behavioral Health and Shelter Health teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

● Welcome clients and visitors to our 21 Merlin St. Drop-in Center program, assisting with welcoming people into the space and introducing them to available services

● Assist team with setup and breakdown for Merlin St. Drop-in Center services

● Ensure supplies needed for operation of drop-in services are restocked throughout the drop-in time and assist team in identifying needed supplies

● Maintain the resource table in the drop-in center, ensuring that accurate information on where/how to access harm reduction supplies and other care is up-to-date and readily available

● Assist with introductions to, and distribution of, hygiene and overdose prevention supplies to program participants at Merlin Street drop-in

● Assist with onsite safety promotion/overdose prevention support, such as bathroom monitoring, “watchful rest,” emergency response

● Provide resource navigation, emotional support and/or harm reduction practices support to drop-in center participants as they are interested

● Ensure the accurate and timely documentation of services provided, in collaboration with the Harm Reduction Services Program Coordinator and/or Program Manager

● Maintain confidentiality of all people and clients participating in HRTC’s programs

● Report administrative or programmatic issues to supervisor

● Attend staff meetings, in-service trainings, and case conferences as asked

● Coordination: May be asked to assist and/or organize onsite workshops and events for drop-in center participants

● Other duties, as assigned

Education, Experience and Skills

● At least one (1) year experience working in harm reduction programming

● Knowledge of harm reduction, healthy curiosity about drug use, knowledge and experience with needs (including supplies, health, etc.) of people who use drugs

● Flexibility to meet changing needs of clients and programs

● Ability to meet clients in all mental and emotional states with kindness and a spirit of generosity

● Comfort working as part of a team, as well as in a drop-in environment and on the streets

● Ability to carry out responsibilities independently, to coordinate with teammates, and know when to consult with supervisor

● Highly organized; able to create and maintain systems for workload management and record-keeping

● Fluent in Microsoft Office & Google Suite

● Current CADL preferred

● Bilingual English/Spanish, English/Cantonese or ASL a plus

Hours per week and schedule: 20 hours, Monday through Friday, 9:30am-1:30pm; there may be some schedule flexibility based on program needs. This is an exempt position.

Salary and Benefits: $35,200-37,500 depending on experience; full health benefits; 3 weeks PTO to start + 11 holidays + 6 personal floating holidays. Flexible Spending Accounts; 401(k) plan.

Interested Applicants: submit resume and cover letter via email to Anna Berg LCSW, Clinical Program Director. annaberg@harmreductiontherapy.org

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $35,200.00 - $37,500.00 per year

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person