Project Reach Specialist

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 (PDPH)’s Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Division is hiring a Project Reach Specialist who will provide essential support to the Division’s effort to reduce community blight in neighborhoods most affected by substance use. The individual filling this position will be specifically responsible for creating and managing an intensive neighborhood clean-up program within PDPH that employs city residents to pick up trash, including discarded drug paraphernalia. The Project Reach Specialist will also be responsible for engaging community organizations and neighborhood residents to understand ongoing needs and identify opportunities to address concerns. The Clean Communities Coordinator will report to the Environmental Services Manager and work very closely with staff within PDPH’s Substance Use Division, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services and the Opioid Response Unit in the Managing Director’s Office.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Responsibilities/Duties

  • Contribute to a neighborhood clean-up program with a focus on removing litter and discarded drug paraphernalia (this includes syringes) from city streets and sidewalks.
  • Be willing to administer Naloxone (Narcan) in the event of an opioid overdose.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and drive company’s vehicle.
  • Engage community members while in the field and offer harm reduction supplies as able or redirect to the Project Reach Lead.
  • Identify ongoing needs related to neighborhood blight and remediation and report your findings/concerns to the Project Reach Lead.
  • Maintain daily inventory of cleaning equipment before and after use.
  • Return all equipment to its assigned location.
  • Assure all tasks are completed.
  • Ability to work in inclement weather.
  • Employee must be able to use full range of motion including handling and frequently lifting of moving heavy objects and/or equipment up to 35 lbs.
  • Conduct biohazard clean-ups with proper PPE.
  • Ability to stand and walk for 2+ hours.
  • Must be able to engage, interact and work towards fostering positive relationships, with respect and understanding towards co-workers, volunteers, guest and community members.
  • Daily stats of trash pick-up, locations, syringe pick-up/sweeps, supplies used and distro of all Narcan and/or HR supplies must be entered into REDCap daily.
  • Must comply with PDPH policies and procedures.
  • Other duties assigned by the Environmental Program Manager.

Education

  • HS Diploma or general education degree (GED); or combination of education and 1 + year related work experience.
  •  OR Associates Degree with two + year’s related work experience

Skills/Experience

  • Knowledge of/and personal experience with substances and substance use, as well as harm reduction.
  • Experience and/or knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of outreach, education, and community-based networking.
  • Sensitivity to and experience working with ethnically, economically, culturally, and sexually diverse individuals, communities, agencies and organizations.
  • Comfortable working with vulnerable populations.
  • Comfortable working outdoors in inclement weather.
  • Enthusiasm for fieldwork, providing direct service to neighborhood residents.
  • Comfort using the following equipment:  Push Broom, Rake, Trash Cans, Power Washer, Cleaning/Disinfectant Supplies, Leaf Blower, Tongs, Sharp Containers, Latex Gloves, Work Gloves, Face Mask.
  • Ability to analyze and think critically to apply reasonable judgment and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, and work independently in a high-pressure environment.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with people contacted in the course of work.

Work Environment:  90% Field Based, 10% Office

Position Type and Work Schedule:  37.5 hours/weekly; Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7.5 hours per day (Weekdays and weekend/evening work may be required).

Travel:  Daily local travel to multiple sites, throughout Philadelphia and focused in Kensington area.

Physical Demands:  Ability to lift and move equipment up to 35 lbs. and walk 2+ hours a day.

Salary and Benefits:  Our employees are our most valuable resource, so we offer 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. 

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.