Temporary Harm Reduction Associate

Position: Temporary Harm Reduction Associate

Status: Temporary (6 months), full-time, non-exempt

Location: New Brunswick, NJ (in-person position). Some travel within New Jersey.

Pay: $27 per hour

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm, with occasional evening and weekend hours as needed and approved by supervisor. Plan for one evening shift per month for Member & Community Meetings.

Reports to: Associate Operations Director (AOD)

Apply by: November 2 at 5:00 pm (priority deadline for internal hiring)

Apply at: njhrc.bamboohr.com/careers

To apply: Submit your response to the applicant prompt at the bottom of this posting.
Current NJHRC staff and embedded consultants don’t need a resume or cover letter.

Note:  This is an internal opportunity, open to current NJHRC staff and embedded consultants.

Position Description
NJHRC's Harm Reduction Associate is a change management role that will be a key support to the AOD, Executive Director (ED), and program team during NJHRC's sprint to streamline inventory, supply, data management, and related administration across the organization. You will help NJHRC make these changes by modeling patience and steadiness and executing essential tasks that may include inventory management, volunteer coordination, administrative support, and flexible coverage across the organization.

These areas reflect NJHRC's needs today. As our systems change, the mix will change too. The AOD sets priorities and will tell you when they shift. The right person sees that as a benefit of the job, not a drawback.

What You'll Do

Inventory and Supplies

- Maintain the inventory database, keeping it current with regular counts and updates.

- Help program staff track and manage the supplies they hold and test new processes for how programs request, receive, and report on supplies.

- Place supply orders based on inventory needs and approved budgets, and track spending by keeping order records and receipts.

- Flag low stock, discrepancies, and quality issues to the AOD.

- Make and assemble harm reduction kits, keep kit stations stocked, and work alongside volunteers in the kit-making room.

- Receive, check, and put away deliveries; resolve shortages or damaged items with vendors.

Change Management Support

- Support staff in adopting new systems, tools, and processes by demonstrating and modeling their use in day-to-day work.

- Create and maintain simple guides and checklists.

- Gather feedback from staff on what is and isn't working and bring it back to the AOD.

- Model patience and steadiness when processes are changing.

Volunteer Coordination

- Implement and scale the volunteer program according to direction from the AOD.

- Welcome, orient, and support volunteers on-site, including in the kit-making room.

- Track volunteer hours and keep volunteer records current.

Administrative Support

- Keep files, records, and receipts organized in Dropbox and Google Drive.

- Schedule meetings, take notes, and follow up on action items.

- Support facilities needs, including vendor coordination and maintenance requests.

Flexible Coverage

- Cover for teammates during absences, transitions, and busy periods.

- Flex into other roles and responsibilities across Operations and programs as needed, including supporting the ED and AOD with admin processes.

- Complete cross-training and perform staffing of outreach and in-person harm reduction sessions as needed.

- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and community events.

Who You Are

You're curious about why things work the way they do and how they could work better, and you notice the details others miss. You pitch in wherever you're needed and treat every person, whether staff, volunteers, or participants, with patience and respect. When you spot a gap, you work with others to close it.

"Must-Haves" for the Job

- Flexibility & Adaptability – Comfortable with shifting priorities and switching between very different tasks in one day.

- Reliability & Follow-Through – Shows up on time and finishes what you start.

- Organization & Attention to Detail – Keeps track of many moving pieces; notices what needs to be stocked, fixed, or followed up on.

- Strong Communication Skills – Clear and kind in person, by phone, and by email with staff, volunteers, and vendors.

- Patience With Change – Can help others learn new ways of working without judgment, and asks for help when you need it.

- Independence & Initiative – Balances solving problems on your own with knowing when to check in.

- Self-Awareness & Emotional Intelligence – Reflects on your own behavior and handles conflict with care.

- Technology – Comfortable with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and willing to learn new tools. Will train the right candidate.

- Physical Ability – Able to lift up to 50 lbs and stand or move for extended periods.

- Commitment to Harm Reduction – A strong commitment to racial justice, health equity, and the dignity and autonomy of people who use drugs, and the ability to meet people where they're at without judgment.

"Nice-to-Haves" for the Job

- Experience in operations, inventory, logistics, or office administration

- Experience coordinating or supporting volunteers

- Knowledge of harm reduction supplies and services

- Lived/living experience with substance use, sex work, homelessness, or the drug war

- Valid driver's license and ability to drive NJHRC vehicles

Applicant Instructions & Prompt

Communication is at the heart of this role, so we'd like to see how you handle a real-world situation. There's no single right answer. We're interested in how you think, who you bring in, and how you talk to people.

Read the scenario below and answer the questions in a document ( Word or PDF). This document is your application . Be prepared to share your thinking during the interview.

The scenario

You are coordinating volunteers with Direct Services. A volunteer who was expected to staff the front desk during drop-in doesn't show up for their shift.

What to tell us

Walk us through how you’d handle it. Please answer all questions.

Before it happens

- What would you put in place ahead of time to prepare for this? Describe each item and what it would say.

When it happens

- Who would you communicate with, and in what order?

- What would you say to each person? Write out the actual messages (texts, emails, or what you’d say in person).

Afterward

- What, if anything, would you do to follow up?