Harm Reduction Outreach Specialist

Salary:Minimum $49,000 ANNUAL (12 months)Depending on QualificationsThe starting salary for the position is $49,000 but is negotiablebased on experience and qualifications.Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such asgenerous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurancesand savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information canbe found at ( https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/ )and ( https://uwmadison.box.com/s/r50myohfvfd15bqltljn0g4laubuz7t0).Job Summary:The Division of Infectious Diseases at UW-Madison, in collaborationwith the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, CommunicableDiseases Harm Reduction Section (CDHRS), seeks a candidate to joina team that will provide mobile harm reduction outreach services inrural Wisconsin communities. This position is responsible forproviding an array of mobile-based harm reduction servicesincluding intakes and ongoing assessments to people living with andat risk for hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), and HIV and othercommunicable infections (e.g., STI, COVID-19,). The incumbent willprovide outreach, intervention, and prevention services toparticipants that include: HCV and HIV testing, syringe services,sexually transmitted infections (STIs) screenings and assessments,and overdose prevention outreach and education. These mobileservices are provided utilizing a team approach and are targeted torural participants where access to service is limited and healthdisparities are great. Services are targeted to communities thathave high need: active substance users, people who inject drugs(PWIDs), people living with HIV or HCV, sex workers, and otherhigh-risk populations.Duties include:Support syringe services and harm reduction services in accordancewith state, local and agency guidelines:• Distribute safer injection supplies• Provide HCV, HIV, STI prevention education to participants• Provide overdose education and buprenorphine education toparticipants• Conduct overdose prevention training to participantsConduct a range of support and outreach activities to vulnerablepopulations:• Conduct individual low threshold interventions (LT) withhigh-risk clients that use harm and risk reduction interventionsand principles to decrease risk in drug use, decrease risk insexual practice and encourage HCV, HIV and STI testing.• Conduct intakes and assessments and develop service plans incollaboration with the participant. These trainings will helpparticipants recognize and respond to opioid overdoses.• Provide rapid HCV, HIV and Syphilis tests, including pre-andpost-test counseling; make referrals and linkages to appropriate asneeded.• Conduct individual overdose prevention trainings with programparticipants.• Conduct outreach to engage clients into services• Conduct outreach activities to community members foster strongcommunity relations and support for program activities in thecommunities serviced by the programs.Other Responsibilities:• Develop behavioral health referral resources in the servicearea• Maintain project paperwork• Conduct supply inventories• Attend trainings and project meetingsResponsibilities: Delivers and assists with planningoutreach program activities, strengthens partnerships, ensuresadherence to policy, and assists with program administration topromote stable and productive relationships between the universityand local community. Strives to expand and ensure access toprograms, facilities, and educational services to diverseaudiences. May assist with tracking and managing the outreachprogram budget.• 10% Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnershipsto support the outreach program• 10% Schedules and secures resources and communicates logisticsin support of an outreach program• 60% Delivers outreach program content and materials tocommunity members• 5% Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach programcontent and materials• 5% Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and providesrecommendations for improvement• 5% May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budgetspending• 5% Leads the implementation of programs, policies, andprocedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for programstaff and student and community volunteersInstitutional Statement on Diversity:Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation forUW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respectthe profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience,status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. Wecommit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching,research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linkedgoals.The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission bycreating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from everybackground - people who as students, faculty, and staff serveWisconsin and the world.For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, pleasevisit: Diversity andInclusionEducation:PreferredBachelor's DegreeSpecialization in Social Work, Public Health, or related field, ispreferred.Qualifications:At least one year of work with communities at risk, people livingwith HCV, AIDS, mental illness, homelessness, or substance use isrequired. Experience with HIV or HCV outreach testing, harmreduction services, and overdose prevention education isdesirable.License/Certification:RequiredDrivers License - Valid and Meets UW Risk ManagementStandardsTravel is required. Must provide a valid driver's license.Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval forUniversity Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending theresults of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check. Seehttps://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#become-authorized-driver(click on "Become an authorized driver;" then click on "Requiredcriteria").Work Type:Full Time: 100%This position may require some work to be performed in-person,onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may beperformed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.Appointment Type, Duration:Terminal, 24 month appointment.This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to anongoing appointment based on need and/or fundingAdditional Information:This position will be located at the Rhinelander State officebuilding in Rhinelander, WI.This position has been identified as a position of trust withaccess to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will berequired to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible foremployment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every fouryears.Applicants must be comfortable interacting in a respectful andnon-judgmental way with people who have a communicable disease andwho come from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomicbackgrounds. Personal initiative, the ability to work in anindependent and timely manner, strong organizational andverbal/written communication skills, and an interest in publichealth are necessary for success in this role.University sponsorship is not available for this position,including transfers of sponsorship. The selected applicant will beresponsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work inthe United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States,a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to workin the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship)on or before the effective date of appointment. This position iscurrently scheduled to end 9/8/2026 and will require eligibility towork until that time. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, andtherefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extensionparticipants. If you are selected for this position you mustprovide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.How to Apply:To apply for this position, please click on the "" button. You willbe asked to upload a current resume/CV and a cover letter brieflydescribing your qualifications and experience. You will also beasked to provide contact information for three (3) references,including your current/most recent supervisor during theapplication process. References will not be contacted without priornotice.Contact:Charles Amblecaamble@medicine.wisc.edu608-265-9049Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for furtherinformation.Official Title:Outreach Specialist(OE009)Department(s):A53-MEDICAL SCHOOL/MEDICINE/INFECT DISEmployment Class:Academic Staff-TerminalJob Number:304260-ASThe University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity andAffirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receiveconsideration for employment without regard to, including but notlimited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genderidentity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status asa protected veteran and other bases as defined by federalregulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence throughdiversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. Formore information regarding applicant and employee rights and toview federal and state required postings, clickhereIf you need to request an accommodation because of a disability,you can find information about how to make a request at thefollowing website:https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/Employment may require a criminal background check. It may alsorequire you and your references to answer questions regardingsexual violence and sexual harassment.The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identitiesof applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except thatthe identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis.Stat. sec. 19.36(7).The Annual Security and FireSafety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinarypolicies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, andon-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statisticsfor the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a papercopy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin PoliceDepartment .