Assistant Director of Special Projects and Naloxone Distribution, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention, Care and Treatment

Job Description

The Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention, Care and Treatment (BADUPCT) works to reduce morbidity and mortality related to alcohol and substance use among New Yorkers through contracting and oversight of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery and support services; policy analysis and development; epidemiology, surveillance, and evaluation; development and dissemination of treatment and management guidelines; harm reduction initiatives; public and provider outreach and education; and community involvement and interagency collaboration.

The Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Unit (OENDU) develops and implements initiatives to reduce and prevent opioid overdose deaths in New York City. The Unit provides naloxone, fentanyl test strips, training, and technical assistance to over 311 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. DOHMH has its OOPP and provides in-person and virtual overdose prevention training and naloxone via mail-based distribution. In addition, OENDU provides contract management, fiscal, technical, and programmatic support to 27 contracted OOPPs for strategic naloxone distribution and 3 contracted OOPPs for implementation and management of Public Health Vending Machines in NYC.

Position Summary:
The Assistant Director of Special Projects and Naloxone Distribution will oversee the Special Projects and Naloxone Distribution Teams in OENDU and ensure successful implementation of unit strategies, priorities and activities with the goal of preventing overdose deaths in New York City.

Under general direction from Director of Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution, with wide latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the Assistant Director of Special Projects and Naloxone Distribution will:

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Study and evaluate recent literature in evidence-based overdose prevention and naloxone distribution and harm reduction practices to inform unit strategies and evaluation plans.
o Summarizes findings or proposals to direct change in unit strategies and priorities.
o Adapt programmatic guidance and protocols as needed.
- Analyze and synthesize internal methods, procedures and data from ongoing unit activities into concise reports on program success, gaps and opportunities for quality improvement.
- Manage the planning, design, execution, and coordination of OENDU’s research activities of the Special Projects and Naloxone Distribution Teams. Coordinate and oversee research and paper proposal development, approval, writing and review.
- Manage development, review and updates of Unit strategic planning, strategies and guidance. Engage in short and long-term program planning and development that promotes OENDU’s goals.
- Supervise and mentor Special Projects and Naloxone Distribution Manager and indirectly supervise 4 additional staff.
- Provide guidance and leadership to all Special Projects and Naloxone Distribution Team’s work activities and make recommendations for changes as needed.
- Oversee and manage the development of internal protocols and external program materials and presentations that align with unit and bureau standards.
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training and retention of staff.
- Responsible for the co-management of the unit with additional OENDU Assistant Directors in the absence of the Director.
- 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.
- Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis.

Note: This position requires occasional travel throughout New York City.

Preferred Skills:
- Knowledge of substance use and harm reduction practice and theory, including syringe exchange, overdose prevention and education for HIV and Hepatitis C prevention.
- Experience providing direct supervision and support to individuals and teams using a compassionate, person-centered, strengths-based approach.
- Be able to work independently, have excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills, and be a flexible team player. The candidate will also be detail-oriented with outstanding organizational skills.
- Sensitive to various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic conditions.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Access, Outlook, and Word,
- Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, managing multiple projects and task at once.

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