Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Harm Reduction Specialist
Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt
Reports to: Director of Peer Programming
Location: Works across four sites based in Manhattan (Huntersmoon Hall, Rustin House, Prospero Hall, Schafer Hall)
Status & Hours: Full-time, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Lantern staff may be asked to adjust their work schedule depending on the operational needs of the site and the agency.

Who We Are: Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. If you believe a steady home can be the start of everything else, you'll fit right in with our mission-first team. Lantern was also recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York — a great place to do meaningful work with people who care!

About the Role: The Harm Reduction Specialist is a critical team member within Lantern's Integrated Services Programming, providing person-centered support to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, substance use challenges, and chronic medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, within a supportive housing environment. This role focuses on promoting health, stability, and recovery through harm reduction strategies, substance use education, and linkage to services. The ideal candidate is compassionate, knowledgeable in harm reduction practices, able to support individuals in making informed decisions to improve their overall well-being, and invested in working collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary service team.

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Individual Tenant Engagement:

• At each assigned site, work individually with a small, targeted caseload of tenants who have Harm Reduction goals related to acute substance use and health needs, supporting risk reduction, relapse prevention, coping skills, and treatment decision-making.
• Provide person-centered harm reduction and substance use services that engage residents and promote health, wellness, and housing stability.
• Conduct risk assessments related to substance use and provide appropriate referrals.
• Identify short- and long-term service needs and support residents in achieving their goals.
• Utilize harm reduction approaches to address mental health and substance use challenges.

Workshop and Group Development and Facilitation:

• In collaboration with Harm Reduction Leadership, develop workshop curricula and group sessions on a variety of topics including recovery education, healthcare self-advocacy, coping skills, and social support based on tenant needs and interests.
• Utilize evidence-informed interventions such as Seeking Safety, Illness Management and Recovery, Wellness Recovery Action Planning, and others for group engagement.
• Facilitate group counseling sessions and educational and skill-oriented workshops.

Community Partner Collaboration and Resource Tables:

• In collaboration with Harm Reduction Leadership and Integrated Services colleagues, engage in community outreach and support tenant participation in harm reduction activities.
• Coordinate on-site health and service engagement and educational tables.

Documentation, Administration, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• Document all services, interventions, and assessments in accordance with program requirements, including OOPP and harm reduction supply tracking.
• Maintain accurate and confidential resident records in compliance with funder and organizational standards.
• Participate in staff meetings, clinical meetings, and supervision to ensure best practices.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care and support educational initiatives related to substance use and other risk behaviors.
• Participate in training and pilot programs related to evidence-based practices and innovative adaptations to enhance service delivery.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• CASAC-T required, or willingness to enroll in a CASAC program within six (6) months of hire, with completion within eighteen (18) months.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing harm reduction and substance use services.
• Experience working with individuals impacted by homelessness, mental illness, substance use, HIV/AIDS, or chronic medical conditions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a diverse caseload.
• Ability to work under pressure, including in crisis situations.
• Experience conducting risk assessments and making treatment referrals.
• Experience with community outreach.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with electronic case management systems such as ETO or CASES.
• Experience with evidence-based practices including Motivational Interviewing.
• Experience developing and facilitating workshop and group curricula.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Work Environment: This position operates in a supportive housing setting in New York City and works with individuals who may experience mental illness, substance use, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic health conditions.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/or kneel. They must also use their hands to type, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Other Duties: Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Lantern values the diversity of our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy, and just communities.

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