Drug Checking Technician

Compensation: $65,000-$70,000 annually

Overview

Position

Community Drug Checking Technician

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Location: New Brunswick, NJ

Salary

$65,000-$70,000 and robust benefits package

Reports to: Program Director

Apply by

Wednesday, August 26 at 5pm.

Apply at : njhrc.bamboohr.com/careers

The Job

The Community Drug Checking Technician is responsible for providing point-of-care drug checking services using FTIR spectroscopy alongside immunoassay test strips. This position will work collaboratively with the Program Director to provide comprehensive harm reduction services via connections to the Direct Services teams. By offering this service, you will contribute to reducing drug-related harm, increasing community knowledge, and assisting individuals in making informed decisions regarding their substance use.

Who We Are

Incorporated in January 2020, NJHRC is a growing and fast-paced nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a New Jersey that values the safety and dignity of all people who use drugs, and to make evidence-informed harm reduction public health resources widely available to everyone in our state. We are working toward a world where there is no drug war or stigma against people who use drugs, and where all people have all the resources needed to stay alive and thrive.

NJHRC accomplishes this through direct harm reduction services, training and technical
assistance
, and policy advocacy. Our direct services are focused on two Harm Reduction Centers: the Middlesex Harm Reduction Center (serving all of
Middlesex
County based out of New Brunswick) and the Statewide Harm Reduction Center (serving all of New Jersey with mail-based distribution and uses nontraditional digital outreach and engagement methods).

What You’ll Do

The Community Drug Checking Technician will play a key role in direct services and stakeholder management for the NJHRC’s community drug checking program, including but not limited to:

Program Operations

Design public-facing materials to uplift
program
 to participants and other local stakeholders.

Collect data on submitted samples and results. Integrate initial FTIR testing results with confirmatory testing results.

M aintain data collection protocols and documents as needed.

Coordinate with secondary verification labs and develop procedures for packaging, mailing, and tracking samples
submitted
 for further analysis;
maintaining
 ongoing data analysis comparing laboratory results with point of care results for quality assurance and training.

Stay up-to-date on the latest trends, developments, and innovations related to drug checking, harm reduction, and substance use to enhance the overall effectiveness of the program.

Collaborate with other Harm Reduction Centers in central New Jersey to collect samples and
establish
 partnerships for testing.

Identify areas for programmatic growth, refinement, or change and regularly lift up programmatic quality improvement opportunities.

Collaborate with the Program Director and Senior Manager of Middlesex HRC to
establish
 multiple service delivery options (e.g., in-person analysis, drop-off with ticket, community white board postings) to expand access to drug checking services.

Direct Services & Member Engagement

Attend 3-day FTIR training.

Be responsible for the set-up, take down , transportation, and maintenance of delicate analytical chemistry equipment.

Facilitate the handling and storage of drug samples, as well as
submitting
 drug samples for further laboratory testing.

Analyze drug samples submitted by participants using FTIR spectroscopy and immunoassay test strips.

Interpret findings from multiple data sources and effectively communicate results to service users.

Provide non-judgmental and evidence -based information about a wide variety of drugs, adulterants, and cuts to service users.

Offer and provide harm reduction counseling based on drug checking results. Connect service users to other
resources
 as necessary.

Collaborate closely with other team members, including program managers and harm reduction specialists, to ensure seamless and effective service delivery across service lines, workflows, and areas of responsibility.

External Engagement & Stakeholder Management

Effectively communicate results to NJHRC staff and stakeholders
in order to
 stay current with the local drug supply information.

Provide guidance on NJHRC resource materials to inform and train staff, as needed, in response to
emerging
 local drug trends.

Attend regular check-ins with NJDOH and Middlesex County Department of Behavioral Health for interpretations of findings and dissemination of information to local service providers.

Attend regular meetings with Remedy Alliance (RA/FTP) Drug Checking program and Alliance for Collaborative Drug Checking (ACDC).

Advise on

the development of Community Advisory Board (CAB) as the CAB provides guidance on Drug Checking services.

Maintain steady connections to national harm reduction and drug checking movements.

Who You Are & Keys to Success (“Must-Haves”)

Direct lived and/or living experience: Experience-based knowledge of drug use, issues affecting people who use drugs, and the unregulated drug supply. This position requires lived and/or living experience using some of the substances being tested.

Sitting & small screen use: Ability to sit / stand for long periods of time at a computer and interpret information on small screens

Ability to interpret findings & describe nuances in
substances:
 demonstrates knowledge of drugs and common adulterants, and their range of potential effects on the person consuming them
.
Has a knack for synthesizing research into
digestable
 language

Knowledge of current common adulterants in the street drug
supply:
 cultivates trusted connections with national and local landscape partners and people who use and/or sell drugs to stay informed and
anticipate
 changes to local supply.

Ability to communicate supply changes in real-time:
demonstrates
 written and verbal communication skills for informing stakeholders about supply changes and emergent drug trends.

Proficient with computers & able to learn new software
:
demonstrated

proficiency in utilizing project management tools, data entry, and data reporting from spreadsheets or data software tool . (Training and ongoing support will be provided for using the software libraries and FTIR spectroscopy required for this position.)

Ability to uphold non-judgment & demonstrate
empathy:

maintains an open, empathetic, and respectful attitude towards individuals using the service. Recognizes that the participant is an expert of their own health and has a right to self-determination, puts harm reduction principles and “meeting participants where they are” into practice; uplifts personal bodily autonomy of each participant; maintains confidential information regarding the sensitive nature of drug supply

Relationship-building

able to connect with individuals and build rapport with participants, staff, neighbors, organizational partners, and community stakeholders

Public-speaking
:
Demonstrated
 ability to speak to different external audiences (
e.g.
 media, lawmakers, and public stakeholders) using clear, simple language tailored to the specific audience for effectiveness.

Must-Haves for all NJHRC Staff

• Problem-solving skills: You demonstrate initiative when approached with a problem and have experience successfully leading others through problem-solving.
• Self-awareness & emotional intelligence: You engage in self-reflection of your own behavior and demonstrate emotional intelligence.
• Comfort in a changing environment: You have the ability to navigate change externally with participants and with internal operations. You have the ability to lead change management projects internally.
• Embody teamwork: You have a demonstrated ability to work well with others toward shared goals, have difficult conversations, and help others master their professional responsibilities.
• Time management & prioritization skills: You have the ability to manage your time effectively, while supporting others to prioritize appropriately.

A Note to Potential Candidates

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary people, and BIPOC candidates are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a
background less traditional
 to our field of work, and we welcome the opportunity for new insight into our work. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you
don't
 believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Salary and Benefit Details

• Salary: This is an individual contributor job that requires specific technical and communication skills. Starting salary d etermined
• by salary band guidelines as they relate to the incoming employee’s d emonstrated
• experience and “must have” and “nice to have” skillsets i dentified
• for this role.

Benefits: NJHRC’s employee benefits package includes 100 percent employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and 80 percent family coverage; 20 paid vacation days, 15 paid holidays, and half day “Summer Fridays” in July and August; an Employee Assistance Program; and a $1,500 annual discretionary professional development fund as well as organization-wide professional development opportunities. NJHRC is starting a retirement plan with
five
 percent employer match shortly.

Equal Opportunity Employment

NJHRC is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. NJHRC encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibility, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction.  NJHRC is particularly interested in hiring people who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.

Application Instructions

Apply online at njhrc.bamboohr.com/careers.

Hiring process for all candidates:

30-minute phone screen

60-minute interview with hiring manager and potentially also with other NJHRC staff members

30-minute phone screen with Executive Director

Application questions

Why are you interested in this job, and what draws you to community drug checking
work
 in particular?

What skills, experiences, or strengths do you think have best prepared you for this job — especially the technical, outreach, or strategic parts of the job?

What do you anticipate might be most challenging about this job for you? What support would help you meet those challenges?

This job involves interpreting technical data, communicating drug trends to many audiences, and helping participants make informed decisions. Please share how you’d approach explaining a complex topic to someone who’s new to it.