Job Description

Summary
This term limited temporary (TLT) service position reports to the Drug User Health Manager in the Public Health \xe2\x80\x93 Seattle & King County Needle Exchange Program. The Needle Exchange Program provides syringe exchange, Naloxone distribution and health education and disease prevention information to persons who inject drugs. This position is responsible for conducting field-based needle exchange outreach, primarily in north Seattle.

The North Seattle Outreach Worker will drive the mobile needle exchange van, exchange syringes, provide harm reduction education and naloxone training, and may also administer HIV and HCV rapid screening tests - all to persons living in north Seattle. The outreach worker will also conduct outreach to persons living in encampments and other areas of north Seattle to inform and link them to low barrier HIV prevention or care services available through Ending the HIV Epidemic-funded low barrier clinics in north Seattle. The outreach worker will also conduct outreach to emergency response, behavioral health and social service providers that serve people in north Seattle who may benefit from low barrier HIV prevention and care services to help them become aware of these new resources and develop referral pathways for clients as needed. This position works with a multi-disciplinary team that is responsible for daily operation of needle exchange services at two fixed sites as well as van-based delivery services.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation\'s history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all \xe2\x80\x93 in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity
Job Duties
NEEDLE EXCHANGE CUSTOMER SERVICE (50%)

• Provide mobile syringe exchange services for needle exchange customers in field locations in north Seattle (30%)
• Conduct street and van-based outreach to engage persons who inject drugs in targeted communities in north Seattle (15%)
• Provide information and service referrals to outreach contacts, peer educators and needle exchange customers (2%)
• Distribute accurate and culturally and linguistically appropriate education materials and information targeted to persons who inject drugs. (2%)
• Train and provide on-going coaching and support for needle exchange customers on how to administer Naloxone. (1%)

PROMOTION OF NORTH SEATTLE LOW BARRIER HIV SERVICES (50%)

• Conduct street and van-based outreach to inform persons who inject drugs in north Seattle about the availability of low barrier HIV prevention and Care Services in north Seattle and help link those interested in low barrier services with the clinic (25%)
• Conduct outreach to emergency response, behavioral health, and social service providers in north Seattle to inform them of the availability of low barrier HIV prevention and care services in north Seattle and help develop referral processes for clients in need of those services.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings (25%)
• Contribute to an environment that fosters open communication, team work, commitment to quality service; fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

• Two (2) years of health, social service or related experience with persons who inject drugs in a harm reduction setting.
• Demonstrated current knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STDs, hepatitis and other blood-borne infections, particularly in relation to injection drug use; street life; slang vocabularies; drug use practices; harm reduction concepts and principles; local drug treatment; health care; and criminal justice systems and resources.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word and Excel)
• Valid Washington State Driver\'s License and the ability to drive a \xc2\xbd ton county van to locations in and outside King County.
• Ability to lift 30 pound boxes over one\'s head.
• Ability to work in environmentally challenging conditions (e.g. walking up and down embankments; working outdoors in all seasons; conducting outreach in sanctioned and unsanctioned encampments)

DESIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

• Effective communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information in a culturally appropriate, consistently respectful, and non-judgmental manner to a wide variety of audiences including people who may be drug impaired, mentally ill and/or angry.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Experience resolving conflicts and defusing aggressive and/or violent.
• Demonstrated skill in delivering harm reduction interventions to drug users.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate orally and in writing with supervisor, co-workers, health care providers, and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently following established protocols and policies and work effectively as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out assignments and responsibilities reliably in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner.

Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State\'s best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we\'re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation\'s best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles-we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.

As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

• submit proof of vaccination, or
• have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor\'s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff\'s Office, and the Executive Office.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer:
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Application Process:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
• Responses to supplemental questions.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

• The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location, and working hours.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.
• Must possess a current and valid Washington State Driver\'s License or be able to obtain one prior to starting work.
• Ability to work in environmentally challenging conditions (e.g. walking up and down embankments; working outdoors in all seasons; conducting outreach in sanctioned and unsanctioned encampments).

Work Schedule:
The individual selected for this position will 40 hours week, Monday-Friday with some additional nights/weekends. This position FLSA Non-Exempt and is eligible for overtime.

Work Location:

The home base for this position is the Downtown Needle Exchange located at 2124 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Union Affiliation:
This position is represented by Protec L17

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Sarah Dunkinson, sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov.