Street Team Specialist

Equal Opportunity Employer

The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to promote community health by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, comprehensive health and human services. 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 Street Team will be tasked with increasing harm reduction resources and training in neighborhoods that have been most affected by overdose crisis, particularly North and Southwest Philadelphia.  The people filling these positions will work in the field five days per week in zip codes 19121, 19132, 19141, 19144, 19140, 19139 and 19133 (subject to changed based on data) to distribute harm reduction resources and educational materials about the overdose crisis in the city.  Street Team staff will interact directly with people in active addiction, people who use substances recreationally, people who are unhoused, as well as people who may have a stigmatizing view of substance use.  The Street Team Specialist is a core member of the Community Engagement Program within the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and will be expected to work collaboratively within and across programs.  People from the zip codes of focus, as well as people with lived experience and/or returning citizens are highly encouraged to apply. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Responsibilities/Duties

Under the supervision of the Community Engagement Program Manager, the Community Engagement Specialist will perform the following essential job functions:

  • Engage in direct outreach efforts to contract community members in designated Philadelphia neighborhoods.
  • Focus outreach activities within the priority zip codes: 19121, 19132, 19141, 19144, 19140, 19139 and 19133.
  • Engage directly with people using substances, people experiencing homelessness and their communities.
  • Follow and maintain safety protocols and procedures for street team to ensure safe and effective community outreach operations.
  • Build trust and rapport within priority communities to increase access to harm reduction resources.
  • Provide and educate individuals on the proper use of Naloxone, fentanyl testing strips and other harm reduction supplies.
  • Maintain accurate records of distributed supplies, interactions and referrals in compliance with program reporting requirements.
  • Collaborate with the Community Engagement Program at tabling events, special events and/or Narcan training request.
  • Support public health emergency response, including outreach and harm reduction activities during cold- and heat-related weather emergencies.
  • A valid driver’s license is required.  This position requires regular operations of a departmental vehicle to perform job related duties.
  • Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:  Completion of high school or equivalent degree and 3+ years community organizing and/or harm reduction work.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

  • Knowledge of substance use is highly required.
  • Knowledge of the impact of drug use and overdose on communities of color in Philadelphia.
  • Sensitivity to and experience working with ethnically, culturally, socioeconomically, and sexually diverse individuals, communities, agencies, and organizations. 
  • Excellent oral communication skills.
  • Ability to analyze and think critically to apply reasonable judgment and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.   Experience working with health and prevention services agencies.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, and to work independently in a high-pressure environment.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with people contacted in the course of work.
  • Knowledge of neighborhoods in Southwest, West, Northwest or North Philadelphia or adjacent neighborhoods.

Work Environment:  90% Field Work, 10% Office Work.  This position also requires extensive time in the field interacting with and linking clients to care.

Position Type and Work Schedule:  Full time position, typical hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  This position also requires flexibility to work on weekends and schedules will be adjusted accordingly to flex hours. 

Travel: Local travel to multiple sites several times per week, as needed.

Physical Demands: Ability to transport materials; walking for an extensive distance.

Salary: $25 per hour

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 are handled consistently 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.

The Health Federation of Philadelphia (HFP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or any classification protected by federal, state or local law.