Locations: Barnegat and West Creek, NJ

Status: Full-time with some nights and weekends

Reports to: Executive Director & Manager & Operations Director

Supervises: N/A

Work Setting: In-person

Job Posted: June 21, 2024

Sea Change is a recovery community organization and harm reduction center in Ocean County, NJ. Please review our website for details about our work. With intentional strategy and lived experience, we create greater health equity, human dignity, and mutual respect. By building power to de-stigmatize and end the devastating addiction and overdose crisis, we are pushing back on the “war on drugs” that has systematically stigmatized, criminalized, and isolated people who use drugs or struggle with Substance Use Disorder. We support all people in self-directed recovery, offering various tools and resources within and outside of our organization.

Sea Change encourages a collaborative environment in which staff are expected to be proactive in their work and to improve service delivery, and develop innovative programs.

A Note to Potential Candidates

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary people, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) candidates are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background considered less traditional to our field of work and we would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

This is a grant-funded position. It may be adapted or revised based on evaluations, insights, on-the-job experiences, and organizational needs. The continuation of the role is contingent upon continued grant funding availability. 

Responsibilities

• Engages in professional activities that promote the organization's Vision, Mission, and Values.

• Positively represent the organization at inter-agency initiatives, community events, and fairs.

• Provide individualized participant support by helping each participant set recovery goals, develop a plan, and work toward and maintain self-directed recovery. Maintain an ongoing caseload of at least 10 participants at any given time with timely reporting.

• Conduct street-level outreach activities to people who use drugs in areas or neighborhoods identified as high-risk or high-need. Provide written and verbal harm reduction information on safer use strategies and supplies, overdose prevention, and HIV, STI, and Hepatitis transmission.

• Provide appropriate referrals, including assisting participants with accessing support services such as substance use treatment, homeless shelters, PrEP, treatment for HIV, HCV, and STIs, and other services as needed.

• Facilitate individual and support group sessions, including harm reduction, peer groups, and family support groups, on an ongoing and as-needed basis, virtually and in person, in conjunction with the Lead Peer Facilitator.

• Work with social service agencies, other outreach workers, and community stakeholders to coordinate care planning to ensure goal-directed, collaborative care, including care transitions. 

• In partnership with the associate, plan and execute monthly events and activities for our participants (e.g., yoga, CrossFit, reiki, table events, nature walks, etc.).

• Support our annual fundraising events as directed by your supervisor and the Executive Director. 

• Packaging harm reduction supplies for distribution, driving to outreach locations, and transporting Participants to access services.

• Drive to outreach locations and occasionally use their own vehicle to transport Participants to access services.

• Recruit, develop, and manage at least 10 volunteers for various outreach and events. 

• Documentation

• Maintain timely and comprehensive documentation of plans, summaries, service participant contacts and interventions, and any other service user issues in service users’ files.

• Maintain clear and concise service participant records based on facts and observations, avoiding opinion or subjective conclusions.

Requirements

• Must possess reliable transportation, a valid New Jersey driver's license, and maintain the minimum New Jersey vehicle insurance requirements. Willingness to travel up to 100 miles weekly to distribute harm-reduction supplies, provide peer support, and meet with community stakeholders. 

• Peer Recovery Specialist certification or a willingness to work toward this outside of regular work hours. Sea Change will reimburse any costs associated with credentialing after the 90 day trial period.  

• High school diploma or GED

• Bachelor’s degree in public health or social sciences OR associate's degree with 2+ years of relevant work experience.

• Willingness to work non-traditional hours (including some evenings and weekends).

• Preferred knowledge of the following:

• Recovery services and various intervention techniques to support each person’s recovery. 

• Addiction (Substance use and misuse)

• CPR/First Aid (Certification preferred)

• Harm Reduction Models and Best Practices

• Motivational interviewing concepts and strategies

• HCV/HIV/pathogens and infectious disease

• C.R.A.F.T. Community Reinforcement and Family Training 

Skills/Experience

• Great attitude and people skills are a must

• Computer proficiency, particularly in Google Suite.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely. 

• Excellent organizational and project management skills.

• Ability to be available for crisis situations.

• Highly compassionate, non-judgemental, and empathetic.

• A strong ability to maintain extremely sensitive and confidential information. 

• Flexible and adaptable work style and a willingness to support the Executive Director administratively.

• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and use innovative techniques and ingenuity to prepare reports and presentations.

• Ability to coordinate complex timelines and schedules.

• Ability to analyze and think critically to apply reasonable judgment and critical thinking skills.

• Ability to work as part of a team, prioritize and handle multiple tasks, and work independently in a high-pressure environment.

Work Schedule  

Full-time position; typical hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and some nights and weekends. The candidate must be willing to work the occasional non-traditional hours (nights and weekends).

Physical Demands

• Ability to transport materials.

• Routinely moves equipment or supplies weighing up to 30 lbs.

• Street-level outreach and events require long periods of canvassing and standing/sitting.

Salary

• Salary - $52,000 

• Paid time off, including 15 days (120 hours) of vacation, sick, personal, and nine (9) holidays.

• Health benefits

• After the 90-day trial period, reimbursement is available for employees to cover certification and recertification fees as well as other professional trainings and/or certifications required for work.

• Mileage is reimbursed when driving a personal vehicle for work purposes at the state rate, which is currently .47 cents/mile.

Newly Hired Employees 

During the first 90 calendar days of employment, all employees are considered to be in a trial  period. The ninety-day trial period may be extended, where appropriate, at the discretion of the employee’s supervisor. The notification of extension will be in writing. During this time, the staff member determines whether or not the position meets his or her expectations, and the supervisor determines whether or not the staff member possesses the knowledge, skills, and necessary competencies to perform satisfactorily.

Under New Jersey law, all employment is at-will. This trial period does not alter the employment-at-will status of any employee. An employee may resign from Sea Change at any time and may be separated from the organization at any time, with or without notice or cause.

Instructions

Include a thoughtful cover letter and resume and email both to jobs@@seachangerco.org (please, no phone calls). Your resume and cover letter must be received by August 20, 2024, to be considered. The email's subject line should include your “Last Name - Outreach & Program Manager.”

In your cover letter, share your specific experiences and how they translate into your ability to learn and grow in this role, as well as areas where you think support and training would help you develop more of the experience described below. Applications that do not include a cover letter and resume will not be considered.

Selected candidates will be invited to multiple interviews with staff and board members. Final candidates will be asked to provide two professional references who can speak to previous experiences that have prepared you for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunities for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate based on 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 Sea Change employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion.