Technical Assistance Specialist, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use

About the role

The Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use (BADU) works to close gaps and reduce overall morbidity and mortality related to alcohol and substance use among New Yorkers.

BADU develops, implements, and evaluates interventions and prevention strategies through contracting of treatment, recovery and support services; policy analysis and development; epidemiology and surveillance; dissemination of treatment and management guidelines; harm reduction initiatives; public and provider outreach and education; and community involvement and interagency collaboration.

The Bureau amplifies the voices of those most impacted and focuses on inequitable structural, social, service, and communication factors that drive disparities.

The Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Unit (OENDU) within BADU develops and implements initiatives to reduce and prevent opioid overdose deaths in New York City. The Unit provides naloxone, training, and technical assistance to approximately 350 Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs (OOPPs) across New York City. OOPPs provide community-based overdose prevention, recognition, and response education and distribute naloxone directly to community members.

The Technical Assistance Specialist will provide technical assistance and programmatic guidance to current and potential opioid overdose prevention programs (OOPPs) on implementing successful overdose prevention and naloxone distribution programming, with the goal of preventing overdose deaths in New York City.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Under general direction from the Overdose Prevention Technical Assistance Manager, with wide latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the Technical Assistance (TA) Specialist will:

• Provide technical assistance and programmatic guidance to registered opioid overdose prevention programs (OOPPs) on program implementation, naloxone distribution, data collection, and reporting
• Assists with and conducts research, data cleaning, and analysis on factors related to OOPP success and barriers to naloxone distribution in New York City
• Contribute to the development, design, data collection, and analysis of a yearly survey, and other research projects as needed
• Maintain records of technical assistance, OOPP dispensing strategies, and other relevant program updates in Microsoft Access Database and Excel
• Conduct presentations directly to prospective and current OOPP staff
• Collaborate with other OENDU and BADU staff to recruit organizations working with target populations to become OOPPs, using overdose data to inform recruitment strategy
• Conduct literature reviews related to naloxone distribution practices
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with OOPP personnel
• Design and maintain protocols and other technical assistance documents for OOPPs to improve workflows
• Collaborate with Overdose Prevention Training Team to plan, schedule, and deliver Training of Dispensers for OOPPs and/or Training of Responders for community members as needed
• Contribute to the development of new materials and resources aimed at preventing overdose and improving OOPP efficiency
• Assemble naloxone kits to be dispensed in trainings and maintain records for all kits dispensed
• Provide support for packing and mailing of naloxone kits and training related materials and maintain appropriate records for all kits and material mailed and dispensed
• Participate in OENDU meetings, including facilitation on a rotating basis
• Participate in bureau- and agency-wide activities for advancing racial, gender, and social equity and support efforts to center equity in OENDU's work
• Represent OENDU in intra-Bureau and Divisional workgroups and meetings and liaise and present to community coalitions
• Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of Substance Use and Harm Reduction practice and Theory including syringe exchange, opioid overdose prevention, and/or education for HIV and Hepatitis C prevention.
• Sensitive to various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic conditions
• Ability to work independently, have excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills, and be a flexible team player
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, managing multiple projects and tasks at once
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint and virtual platforms such as Zoom Webinar and Microsoft Teams

Why you should work for us

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:

• o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position's associated union/benefit fund.
• o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• o a tax-deferred savings program and o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.

• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Additional information

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC.

We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives.

As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Qualifications & Requirements

• For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.

To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have

• A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE: Probationary Period

Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.