Research Program Assistant

We are seeking a Research Program Assistant who will work as a part of a large community-level intervention aimed to reduce HIV risk and increase community cohesion among female sex workers in Baltimore, MD. The intervention is largely centered around providing services on a mobile unit and at a full-service drop-by center for sex workers. Outreach workers will be asked to conduct community outreach, in groups of 2 or more, to provide harm reduction services, as part of the SPARC Center, which has been operating in Pigtown since the summer of 2017. Will provide safer injection equipment and education, overdose response trainings, as well as conduct HIV/STI testing and harm reduction education. This will include the distribution of drug use equipment, condoms, resource lists, hygiene items, clothes, snacks, and seasonal items. Prior to any community engagement, outreach workers will be trained to administer and distribute Naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose of opioids (i.e. heroin, oxycontin, fentanyl), as well as trained in syringe service provision. Activities currently take place in Pigtown, Mount Clare, Carrolton Ridge, Curtis Bay, and Brooklyn, and will soon expand in the Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County regions.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Promote the SPARC Center services and events (clinic hours, classes, support groups etc.).
• Distribute Naloxone, train community members on its use and benefits.
• Distribute safer drug use supplies and safer sex supplies, while providing harm reduction education, both in the center and on outreach.
• Distribute promotional items, including condoms, hand sanitizer, lip balm, wipes, etc.
• Support the delivery-based outreach program by packing orders and delivering them on a large transit van.
• Attend community meetings to promote services and develop rapport with neighborhood associations.
• Build rapport with community members, including sex workers and community stakeholders.
• Work in the Drop-In Center assisting with general tasks as needed.
• Potential to facilitate peer groups and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Successful candidates will undergo training sessions prior to working in the community.
• Active Driver’s License and comfort driving large vehicle.
• Ability to step in and out of a large transit van.
• Ability to lift and carry boxed materials.

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
• Some related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Experience working with diverse populations including the sex worker population.
• Prior experience with outreach work.
• Some college courses.

Classified Title: Research Program Assistant 
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CB  
Starting Salary Range: Min $15.25 - Max $23.00 HRLY ($38,025 targeted; Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday to Friday: 9 am – 5 pm 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: School of Public Health 
Department name: ​​​​​​​HBS-Research Projects  
Personnel area: School of Public Health 

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.