Harm Reduction Counselor

Position: Harm Reduction Counselor The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is dedicated to protecting LGBTQ+ youth from the harms of homelessness and empowering them with the tools needed to live independently. Founded in 2002, AFC provides comprehensive services, including housing, healthcare, and educational support to over 2,000 youth annually. AFC's mission is to create an affirming and supportive environment where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. This position is responsible for providing direct harm reduction counseling to young (16-25 years old) unhoused LGBTQ people who use drugs. Key Responsibilities Clinical Engagement • Provide short-term counseling and support to an assigned caseload of clients, focusing on substance use • Provide crisis counseling and emergency referrals to clients seeking urgent support around their drug use • Work collaboratively with clients to identify non-judgemental, culturally-competent risk reduction strategies based around their current risk factors and needs, including safer injection practices, overdose prevention, safer sex practices, HIV/HCV treatment and prevention, and other topics relevant to PWUD. • Refer and escort clients to detox, inpatient, and outpatient substance use treatment programs as needed and coordinate with care teams to provide any necessary support. • Collaborate with care teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans • Conduct safety assessments as needed for drop-in center clients • Develop and facilitate supportive group programming centered around harm reduction skills and drug use Harm Reduction Programming Support • Provide support in further developing the agency’s harm reduction programming • Assist in the development of materials, ordering, and distribution of supplies needed to reduce harm (naloxone, fentanyl/xylazine testing strips, etc.) • Create and provide training for staff around harm reduction, substance use, and best practices working with LGBTQ folks who use drugs. • Continually and proactively educate self about new developments in the field of harm reduction and substance use, including attending trainings to further develop skills, knowledge, and understanding of available resources to support PWUD. Share knowledge with colleagues. • Develop and maintain strong relationships with NYC service providers, including but not limited to those addressing medical, mental health and housing needs. Supporting Ali Forney Center Programs • Documenting services provided to clients and maintain inventory logs of harm reduction supplies • Conduct agency intakes assessments. • Attend weekly treatment planning meeting, individual and group supervision • Provide daily coverage in the Community Room, throughout drop-in, and medical clinic as needed. • Respond thoughtfully and supportively to clients in crisis Qualifications and Benefits QUALIFICATIONS Competencies Harm Reduction Expertise • Demonstrates deep understanding of harm reduction principles, safer use practices, overdose prevention, and substance-use–related health needs. • Able to translate harm reduction strategies into practical, individualized plans for clients. • Stays current on emerging trends, drugs, and safer-use tools (e.g., test strips, naloxone, xylazine awareness). Clinical & Therapeutic Engagement • Provides non-judgmental, trauma-informed, client-centered counseling. • Skilled in crisis intervention, safety assessments, and short-term stabilization. • Capable of building trust with young LGBTQ clients, including those who use drugs and/or are experiencing homelessness. Cultural Humility & LGBTQ Competency • Demonstrates deep understanding of the lived experiences, challenges, and disparities faced by LGBTQ and TGNC young people. • Comfortable and competent working in community with trans* individuals, BIPOC youth, sex workers, and unhoused populations. • Approaches services with cultural humility, intersectional awareness, and a commitment to social justice. Program Development & Facilitation • Supports the development and expansion of harm reduction programming. • Creates curriculum, workshops, and group programming centered on safer use, substance use education, and skill building. • Able to train staff on harm reduction, LGBTQ best practices, and substance-use–related topics. Communication & Documentation • Produces clear, timely documentation of services, assessments, safety checks, and intake information. • Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills. • Comfortable facilitating conversations around sex, drug use, and stigmatized behaviors. Crisis Management & Problem Solving • Responds calmly, thoughtfully, and effectively to clients in crisis. • Uses sound judgment in high-pressure or unpredictable situations. • Identifies problems and uses available resources to generate solutions quickly and appropriately. Qualifications & Skills • Experience in providing therapy or substance use counseling and skilled in therapeutic engagement and basic assessments • Experience and competency working with people who do sex work. • Ability to apply harm reduction principles to other criminalised/stigmatised behaviours (I.e. self injury, sex work, eating disorders, etc) • Ability to multitask and manage different priorities under pressure. • Ability to work independently and with others. • Ability to use resources to problem solve. • Effective computer skills and proficiency with Google Suite • Lived experience of homelessness, drug use, and/or sex work Technical Skills • Expert knowledge of harm reduction principles and strategies • Experience, competency, and comfort being in community with trans* people • Experience working with teens and young adults • A demonstrated commitment to harm reduction principles and social justice for people who use drugs • A thorough understanding of the psychosocial and health needs of TGNC & LGBQ youth, particularly those experiencing homelessness • Passionate about bridging healthcare disparities that queer and trans BIPOC and other historically underserved populations face • Comfortable working with people who use drugs and facilitating open conversations around sex and drug use. • Competent communication & writing skills. • Compassionate & empathetic. FULL-TIME BENEFITS & PTO • Paid sick, vacation, personal, 12 holidays • Medical • Dental • Vision • 401k (matching) • EAP program Multilanguage speaking candidates are encouraged to apply (Spanish, French, etc.). Transgender and gender non-conforming people are encouraged to apply. People with lived experience of homelessness encouraged to apply. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color encouraged to apply.