Harm Reduction & Outreach Specialist

Since 1985, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless has dedicated its mission exclusively to providing services to people experiencing homelessness.  AHCH provides a distinctive continuum of integrated care through outreach and site-based services to address the health-related causes and consequences of homelessness.  Our vision is to live in a world that is just and without homelessness.  We believe that homelessness is an issue that can be solved through access to quality health care, adequate and affordable housing, and a living wage.

We are looking for a passionate person to join our Harm Reduction Outreach team. We are looking for someone with ability to build rapport and provide services to unhoused individuals in a variety of community and outdoor environments. Our ideal candidate will have working knowledge of harm reduction philosophies and how to implement them with a high risk population using a trauma informed focus. We need someone with a great ability to provide on the spot education, referrals, and support to increase risk reduction, promote health outcomes, and increase linkages to services and resources within AHCH and the community. The perfect candidate would also have a working knowledge of resources for housing, food, shelter, substance use treatment and medical care in the area.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Participates in daytime and evening outreach outdoors and in community-based settings to people experiencing homelessness and people who use drugs, including operating a weekly syringe service program


• Uses principles of harm reduction and trauma- informed care to provide client referrals, support risk reduction strategies, and reduce barriers to accessing services including housing, public benefits, medical care, and other basic needs


• Drives, loads, and unloads large outreach vehicles


• Provides accurate and timely notes and documentation, while maintaining legal and ethical requirements regarding participants’ confidentiality.


• Trains staff and community partners in harm reduction principles and overdose prevention strategies


• Works collaboratively with other AHCH and community partners on outreach and in on campus to provide coordinated client services


• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:   

• High school diploma or GED


• Willing to work with at-risk populations (including HIV/STD/ Hepatitis, chemical dependency, and mental illness)


• Willing to be certified as HIV/AIDS instructor


• Willing to be certified in syringe exchange


• Willing to learn and promote harm reduction and trauma informed methodology


• Valid NM driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications: 

• 1 year experience in street outreach, prevention, drop-in services, or risk-reduction support


• Spanish speaking


• ASL signer


• Experience working with those who are unhoused


• Experience working with people who use drugs


• Harm Reduction Specialist Certification via New Mexico Department of Health

 All benefits start the month after you begin work:

• Low cost medical, vision, and dental insurance with health club membership


• Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment fully paid for by organization


• Long Term Disability fully paid for by organization


• Paid Time Off - 24 days in first year of employment


• Catastrophic Sick Time accrual


• 7 Paid holidays


• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts


• 401k with employer match


• Student loan forgiveness eligible