Bilingual Outreach Specialist (Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Portuguese)
Fenway Health’s Department of Prevention is seeking a Bilingual Outreach Specialist to address the rising overdose fatalities impacting BIPOC and Latinx communities in Massachusetts. The role focuses on culturally competent street and mobile outreach to active injection drug users in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville, providing harm‑reduction education, testing, and referrals.
Primary Responsibilities
* Conduct street and mobile outreach activities with active drug users in high‑risk or high‑need areas (East Somerville, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Cambridge).
* Distribute safer sex, overdose prevention, and injection supplies; collect used syringes for safe disposal.
* Provide verbal and written harm‑reduction information on safer injection, vein care, overdose prevention, and transmission of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis, plus appropriate referrals.
* Offer basic wound and abscess care advice.
* Break down language barriers by providing services in Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Portuguese.
* Conduct rapid HIV testing; offer screening, risk‑reduction sessions, education, and referrals.
* Train users, allies, and service providers on overdose prevention and naloxone (Narcan).
* Assist clients in accessing low‑threshold services—primary care, treatment, shelters, legal advocacy, syringe exchange, and overdose prevention.
* Participate in daily drop‑in operations, including opening/closing procedures to maintain clean, safe, welcoming facilities.
* Build and maintain partnerships with community partners and engage in advocacy.
* Support Program Manager with program development and evaluation.
* Assist with vehicle maintenance.
* Respond to overdose and behavioral health crises.
* Attend department, collaborator, and funder meetings and trainings.
Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution
* Obtain Overdose Prevention Master Trainer designation under Program Manager supervision.
* Help the Outreach Coordinator train and certify new staff for overdose prevention training.
* Maintain Narcan distribution to community partners.
Meet Agency Participatory Expectations
* Adhere to all agency and departmental policies and procedures.
* Participate in quality assessment and improvement activities.
* Maintain client confidentiality at all times.
* Follow safety policies, including crisis procedures.
* Attend all required meetings, in‑services, and professional trainings.
* Maintain professional competence and provide records of continuing education.
Requirements
* Minimum two years of relevant work experience, or a bachelor’s degree plus relevant experience may substitute.
* Commitment to harm‑reduction practices with all participants and throughout program planning.
* Fluency in one language besides English (Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Portuguese).
* Experience in street and mobile outreach with at‑risk populations.
* Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
* Previous data collection and entry experience.
* Self‑directed, motivated, flexible; works independently and as part of a team.
* Significant knowledge of health issues faced by injection drug users and awareness of their networks and culture.
* Current valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and at least one year of driving experience.
* Ability to provide rapid HIV testing with finger‑stick tests; willingness to learn phlebotomy skills.
* Experience in crisis intervention.
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience implementing support groups and trainings.
* Familiarity with electronic databases.
* CPR certification or willingness to be trained.
Physical Requirements
* Travel to community events, health fairs, neighborhoods, bars, and nightclubs (including late evenings and weekends).
* Sit at a computer station and use a keyboard for extended periods.
* Handle average‑weight objects up to 15–20 pounds; occasionally assist patients.
* May work with blood or blood‑borne pathogens; OSHA training required.
* Work environment may involve potentially dangerous materials; follow safety precautions and protective equipment use.
Keywords: Overdose prevention, safer injection strategies, community advocacy, overdose education, naloxone, PWUD services, HIV testing, syringe exchange, public health, client advocacy, harm reduction programs
We offer competitive salaries and, for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package, including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans and a retirement plan with employer match. Additionally, we provide 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more. LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Salary: $23.24 – $26.10 per hour ($46,300 – $50,900 per year)
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