Associate Director of Low Threshold Services
Position Summary
OnPoint NYC is seeking an Associate Director of Low Threshold Services. The Associate Director of Low Threshold Services is a detail and systems-oriented individual with demonstrated competency overseeing safe, dynamic and effective programs and services in a drop-in setting and from a harm reduction lens. This position directly supervises up to three Shift Supervisors and oversees all direct service staff providing low-threshold services in our buildings. Low threshold services are rapidly expanding and the Associate Director of Low Threshold Services will organize and manage all harm reduction supplies (syringes, smoking kits, safer sex kits, Naloxone kits, etc), food and nutrition program agency-wide, hygiene services (showers and laundry), and respite room.
To support this expansion, the Associate Director of Low Threshold Services is also responsible for building the capacities of our entry-level direct services staff in collaboration with the Volunteer and Training Coordinator. With support from the Director of Operations, this position will be tasked with launching and sustaining new programming for participants who access low threshold services to keep them engaged, educated, and supported in their own decisions, and linked to care both internally at OnPoint and with external partners. This position is also responsible for creating and improving systems to keep low threshold program spaces consistently cleaned, stocked, organized, and functioning optimally.
Reports to: Director of Operation
Direct Reports: Shift Supervisors
Indirect Reports: Harm Reduction Specialists
Pay Rate: Annual: $85,000 – $95,000
Position Type: Full Time
Hours Per Week: M-F, various shift schedules; with occasional evening and weekend hours.
Responsibilities
- Lead and supervise a team of up to three shift supervisors and three teams of Harm Reduction Specialists (25+ staff)
- Oversees the safe and effective operation of all Low Threshold Services in line with OnPoint NYC policies and procedures. Maintains an exemplary standard of service delivery in all facets of low threshold service operations.
- Serves as an ambassador and spokesperson for OnPoint NYC in line with OnPoint NYC media policy.
- Ensure that the values and history of the organization sustain through growth and transformation of programs.
- Provide regular supportive and concrete feedback to improve service provision.
- Manage call-outs and staff coverage for all shifts; supervise time and attendance in line with OnPoint policies and procedures.
- Direct Shift Supervisors to provide individual monthly supervision to each member of their team.
- Support shift supervisors to lead effective and productive shift meetings.
- Lead in addressing disciplinary issues with Shift Supervisor; ensure disciplinary issues are addressed expeditiously and according to progressive disciplinary practices; ensure disciplinary steps are documented according to OnPoint’s policy.
- Lead bi-monthly meetings with Shift Supervisors to review the implementation of new systems and programs, provide coaching to improve Supervisors’ managerial skills, generate solutions to programmatic challenges, etc.
- Lead quarterly meetings with all low-threshold staff.
- Ensure all staff meetings and staff supervisions are properly documented.
Programming – Development and Implementation
- Create and launch new programming including, but not limited to, educational groups, barbershops, nail salons, activity groups, etc.
- Support and oversee Shift Supervisors in implementation of new programming.
- Support Director to expand clothing and shoe stock by building effective systems and partnerships for consistent supply.
- Support Director to expand nutritional program.
- Ensure all the equipment and utilities in low threshold spaces are correctly functioning at all times.
- Ensure the DIC is designed to provide participants with fluent movement efficiently and create systems to improve service delivery and participant care.
- Ensure staff keeps low threshold spaces clean, stocked, and organized constantly and consistently.
Staff Training and Capacity Building
- Work collaboratively with the Volunteer and Training Coordinator and ensure staff have suitable training to support staff growth and identify other training as needed for staff.
- Ensure staff are engaged in consistent overdose and drug-induced medical emergency response in direct collaboration with Director of Overdose Prevention.
- Keep track of “Anchor” and “Junior” status changes of each staff to inform Shift Supervisor assignments of off-site OD Runners.
- Work closely with Volunteer and Training Coordinator to support program objectives and volunteers working in DIC.
Time and Attendance
- Monitor calendar for time and attendance notices added by the Shift Supervisor; ensure calendar protocol is correctly followed by Shift Supervisors.
- Find coverage for Shift Supervisors if call-outs impede service delivery.
- Ensure proper documentation of attendance by Supervisors on the calendar.
- Review, edit, and approve timecards
- Ensure PTO is entered correctly by staff in ADP.
- Inform staff about PTO/sick time balancesas necessary.
- Ensure proper documentation of attendance by Supervisors on the calendar.
Documentation of Program Activities and Reporting
- Submit audit documentation and reports for internal use, government contracts, and private funders in collaboration with other directors and managers.
- Review and edit monthly and quarterly report submissions from Shift Supervisors in addition to generating content and completing reports.
- Work with Director to continuously update the Book of Knowledge with policies and procedures for low-threshold services as necessary.
- Collaborate with Data Department to ensure low threshold and SEP data is being accurately and thoroughly documented in the SND app.
- Provide solutions for data collection challenges; implement improvements with Shift Supervisors and staff.
- Ensure Shift Kick Off Meeting are properly planned, effectively led, and diligently documented.
- Ensure Shift Supervisors communicate effectively and with a “solutions focused” approach.
- Ensure Shift Supervisors complete detailed coversheets to effectively document events of the day and communicate between shifts.
Operations and Supplies
- Work with Director to improve systems to ensure programs are fully stocked with necessary supplies.
- Work with Distribution Manager to ensure the program has access to the correct quantity of supplies that meet needs and demand.
- Expend program operation systems in preparation for 24/7 access and service delivery.
- Act as an Ambassador to the Program at all times; liaise with community members, NYPD, partners etc. who visit low threshold spaces professionally, warmly, and while following protocol.
Security and Safety
- Ensure DIC has continuous safety protocols in place for participants and staff in low threshold spaces.
- Ensure Shift Supervisors effectively manage DIC safely and efficiently through the program space and adhere to space capacity; including assessing and managing energy in low threshold spaces to determine capacity.
- Work with the Naloxone team to ensure staff are comfortable and confident with OD and drug induced medical emergency intervention as well as after-care monitoring.
- Manage and respond to critical incidents reported by Shift Supervisor, with support from the Director of Operations.
- Provide coaching to Shift Supervisors and staff on de-escalation, opportunities to correct, and clear the space.
- Lead and manage suspensions by gathering consensus around lengths of bars, communicating level 3 suspensions with the rest of the organization, and assessing participant readiness to return.
Interagency Department Coordination
- Low threshold spaces are hubs for participants and their first access point to the organization; create and implement systems to improve coordination of care between the low threshold services and other departments within the agency.
- Create “orientation” for new participants who enter the low threshold program.
- Collaborate with Operations Team to manage participant flow throughout the building between multiple low threshold services and other departments.
- Work with the Director of Fleet and Facilities to ensure maintenance and repairs in the DIC are completed on time.
- Work closely with Harm Reduction Mental Health Unit staff to promote low threshold access to mental health care for program participants
- Perform other related task and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
- 3+ years experience in harm reduction, syringe exchange, and/ or social justice as it pertains to individuals who use drugs or who engage in sex work.
- 3+ years of experience supervising staff required.
- Must be excited about building new programs, systems, policies, and providing capacity building to staff in a rapidly expanding organization.
- Lived experience in the areas of substance use, sex work, HIV and HCV prevention preferred.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of safer injection techniques and overdose prevention, HCV prevention and treatment a must. Knowledge of the Bronx and East Harlem IDU/ substance use communities preferred.
- Overdose intervention experience preferred.
- Must be dedicated to advancing an agenda of equal rights and social justice for low-income people who use drugs, especially women of color through activism and political participation.
- Must be committed to advancing an anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic agenda.
- Must be an organized, self-motivated team-player, with strong interpersonal and communication skills, basic computer skills, and the ability and willingness to be hands-on and solve problems as they arise.
- Must be committed to the principles of Harm Reduction and to working with low-income people who use drugs and who are sex workers.
- Bilingual (Spanish) highly preferred.
Equal Opportunity Employer
OnPoint NYC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate relative to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical status, or history of incarceration. Individuals who have personal experience with drug use, women, people of color, members of the LGBTQI+ community, disabled individuals, and the formerly incarcerated are strongly encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter outlining your experience and/or interest in harm reduction, Spanish/English proficiency, and interest in the position in addition to your curriculum vitae/resume. Applicants without a cover letter will not be considered for the position.
Please save your files with your last and first name followed by document title (e.g. Smith J Resume, Smith J Cover Letter)