Director of Harm Reduction

Job Title: Director of Harm Reduction

Reports to: Chief Officer of Strategy and Innovation

Status: Full-time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary Range: $75,000 -$85,000

Job Location: East Harlem, Manhattan (Schafer Hall) & site travel required.

Position Type: This is a full-time, exempt position with a regular daytime schedule (9am-5pm), including approximately 25% travel to Lantern Community sites across Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Staff may be required to adjust work schedules and hours based on the operational needs of the program and agency.

Summary: The Harm Reduction Program currently operates in 17 supportive housing buildings and 3 shelters. Our supportive housing sites are located across Manhattan, Bronx, and Brooklyn, while the shelters are situated in Queens. The Director of Harm Reduction’s office is located in East Harlem at one of the supportive housing sites. The program supports individuals facing mental health challenges, substance use issues, chronic illnesses, and those transitioning out of homelessness.

The Director of Harm Reduction position requires a strong understanding of Harm Reduction theory and its application to reduce risks in supportive housing and shelter environments. This includes addressing mental and physical health issues, substance use, housing stability, domestic violence, sexual health, LGBTQIA challenges, and living with HIV/AIDS.

We are seeking a candidate committed to overdose prevention and evidence-based interventions such as Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, and the Harm Reduction Model. The ideal candidate will work with individuals facing multiple risks using non-judgmental, person-centered approaches.

The Director of Harm Reduction must be highly organized, have strong written communication skills, and be proficient in Microsoft 365 (Email, Calendar, Excel, Word, PPT). This role involves providing regular program updates, both written and via PPT, to middle and upper management. The candidate should also be able to interpret data from the Harm Reduction Program Coordinator to make data-driven decisions for program improvement.

Essential Function

• Provide clinical supervision and coaching to Harm Reduction staff.
• Promote strategies that support learning and professional development through trauma-informed supervision practices.
• Review and approve documentation completed by Harm Reduction staff, ensuring high standards of care and quality service delivery.
• Review dashboards and monthly reports with staff to track outcomes.
• Support the Harm Reduction Program Coordinator in developing program-specific policies, tracking instruments, and strategies to ensure outcomes accountability and quality service delivery.
• Facilitate clinical and staff meetings for the Harm Reduction team.
• Provide clinical supervision in developing harm reduction plans, overdose prevention, and safety planning with the clinical team.
• Coordinate with the Assistant Director of Community Health and Harm Reduction Program Coordinator to identify community resources, facilitate referrals, and serve as a liaison with various care coordination agencies, health and mental health providers, substance use programs, and community health prevention services.
• Develop supervision plans and accountability systems to manage reporting requirements and service standards.
• Ensure staff use a harm reduction approach to support residents around risky behaviors, including substance use.
• Identify training and skill-building needs of the clinical team to promote high-quality life standards.
• Collaborate with Cross Buildings to access a full range of supportive services designed to improve clients’ wellness and quality of life.
• Work with other departments across Lantern to address Harm Reduction needs agency-wide, ensuring tenant voices are included in program/policy development and implementation.
• Develop and implement client-centered groups and programming that foster a supportive and inclusive community.
• Hire, train, and manage new staff, including overseeing the progressive disciplinary process in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Evaluate clients for suicidal/homicidal risks, support staff in developing safety plans for residents, and respond to and de-escalate crises as needed.
• Prepare, review, and manage follow-up of incident reports, including appropriate incident reporting to funders.
• Provide day-to-day program management in collaboration with the Harm Reduction Program Manager.
• Complete required reports as assigned.
  
  

Required Qualifications

The Director of Harm Reduction (DHR) is responsible for the direct supervision of all Harm Reduction Specialists, Overdose Prevention Interns, and the Harm Reduction Program Coordinator. The ideal candidate must possess one of the following qualifications and have experience in the clinical supervision of CASAC and CASAC-T counselors:

• Master CASAC or CASAC-A ($75k - $80k)
• LMSW, LCSW, or LMHC ($80k - $85k)
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in the field of harm reduction and substance use.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a supervisory capacity.
• Must have initiative, the ability to work well under pressure, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and experienced in electronic case management and/or medical records systems.
• Ability to analyze and use data to inform practice.
• Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel throughout Metro NYC.
  
  

Work Environment: This job operates in a supportive housing site and works with a population who may experience mental health challenges, substance use issues, or chronic illnesses, and who are transitioning out of homelessness.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/ or kneel. Occasionally the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note: Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners.

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