Drop-In Support Specialist

POSITION: Drop-In Support Specialist

Texas Harm Reduction Alliance (THRA) seeks a Drop-in Support Specialist to join our team.
Applicants should align with the organization’s core values, including racial justice, anti-racism
and an understanding and commitment to the principles of harm reduction.
The Drop-in Support Specialist will work with the direct services team to assist in the daily
operations of the THRA Drop-in Center.This position will build non-judgmental, supportive
relationships with people who use drugs, and will involve educating drop-in participants on
reducing risks associated with drug use, including viral hepatitis, HIV and overdose; guiding
them to appropriate referral resources; and advocating for their care.
Candidates should have personal knowledge or experience with drug use (or extensive
knowledge of issues facing drug users), understanding of housing insecurity, and the ability to
empathetically connect with individuals. Candidates should be organized and skillful at
multitasking in a fast-paced environment.

Only those applicants who clearly explain their commitment to the harm reduction movement
and principles in their cover letter will be considered!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
● Collaborate with the Drop-in Center Lead,THRA team members and volunteers to
facilitate all aspects of drop-in center operations
● Help maintain a clean, safe and accessible drop-in center
● Provide harm reduction supplies and basic needs items to participants
● Provide referrals, linkage and navigation to peer support, mental health and medical
services, drug treatment, housing and social services, as appropriate
● Educate on preventative health practices, including overdose reversal, substance use,
and safer sex, as appropriate
● Support a welcoming, non-judgemental environment and de-stigmatization of drug use
● Assist in maintaining supply inventory through organizing space and conducting
inventory counts
● Assist with basic data entry and documentation
● Perform some manual duties, such as unpacking shipments, re-stocking supply shelves,
and preparing kits, as needed
● Attend staff meetings, trainings, and conferences as assigned

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
● A minimum of one year of professional or volunteer experience with harm

reduction, mutual aid, substance use services, or homelessness services
● Strong knowledge of harm reduction, substance use, and social justice
● Commitment to overdose prevention work
● Personal knowledge or experience with drug use or extensive knowledge of issues
facing drug users
● Ability to work in a fast-paced environment as part of a team
● Ability to conduct basic data entry and documentation
● Expertise in engaging people in non-judgemental discussions and education around
overdose, HIV, HCV, and other health-related issues
● Knowledge of healthcare confidentiality and privacy procedures
● Ability to set and maintain boundaries and ethics during service provision

PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
● Fluency in Spanish
● RSPS (Recovery Support Peer Specialist) certification
● Experience in de-escalation and crisis intervention
● Experience in/knowledge of restorative justice practices
● Experience or training in community organizing for system level change
More About the job:
This full-time, salaried position will be located in our Austin,Texas location. Starting salary for
this position is $45,000 per year with the opportunity to increase, with benefits including
health, dental, vision, vacation, sick leave and holidays. This position reports to the Drop-In
Center Lead.

Texas Harm Reduction Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate
in employing staff, or selection of volunteers, on the basis of race, creed, religion, color,
national origin, citizenship, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, justice involvement or conviction, veteran status, financial status or HIV status.

How to apply:
Please send an email to awhite@harmreductiontx.org with Drop-in Support Specialist in
subject line, in (.doc) or (.pdf) format:
● Letter of introduction including your commitment to harm reduction principles
mentioned above
● Current resume
● Contact information for three professional references