Summary:

The New York Academy of Medicine is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that positively transforms the health of people living in cities. We approach our mission through research, education, community engagement and policy advocacy. Our special focus is New York, our home, but our work is national and global in scope and importance. We are a universally respected and responsive source of knowledge and a trusted partner for action with individuals and organizations who share our purpose.

We are seeking an Outreach Specialist/Van Driver. It requires a well-organized, highly motivated individual with a strong background doing outreach and interacting with service providers in the NYC area. Knowledge and experience working with drug users is preferred. Computer literacy is also preferred. This person will be representing our offices in the field and interacting with different agencies that service our target population. For this reason, the outreach specialist must have strong interpersonal skills, have the ability to engage many different kinds of people and have good communication and writing skills (bilingual in written and oral English and Spanish preferred). Also individual must have a valid NYS driver’s license.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Responsible for the recruitment of participants [active Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), and Non-injecting Drug Users (NDUs)] for research studies operating from all study sites
• Assist in mapping and updating areas in order to maximize recruitment
• Assist in maintaining communication with agencies (making calls, posting recruitment posters and providing informational pamphlets)
• Driving and maintaining records for mobile outreach unit
• Assist with coordination of special projects and focus groups
• Conduct community assessment by visiting high-risk drug coping locations to obtain information on population shifting, mobility, and defining IDUs and NDUs activities’ areas
• Submit weekly written reports to Outreach Coordinator detailing daily field activities and individual plans of action and follow-up
• Establish and maintain linkages with project’s participants for the purpose of facilitating follow-up of all return visits
• Report to the Outreach Coordinator on the progress and status of Recruitment and Follow-up of study participants
• Assist with day to day operations of both study sites and main office, as needed
• Provide participants escort if and when necessary
• OS/VD will be responsible for cleaning and servicing of van, and/or delivering van to servicing technician for servicing or mechanical repair
• Other related duties as per Project Director’s request

Qualifications:
• Previous experience with outreach
• Previous experience working or interacting with service providers
• Familiarity with IDUs and harm reduction issues
• To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to accomplish each essential duty satisfactorily
• Clean driving record with no major moving violations

Education and/or Experience :
High School certificate required. College Education is desirable. At least three years of related experience in outreach or equivalent field experience preferred

To Apply:
Qualified candidates should send their resume and cover letter to: hr@nyam.org. Please include "Outreach Specialist/Van Driver " in your email subject heading.

The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer