ABOUT US

Hawai’i Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) provides harm reduction-focused services to marginalized populations in Hawai’i, including people living with and/or affected by HIV, hepatitis, substance use, homelessness, and the transgender, LGBQ, and the Native Hawaiian communities. HHHRC bridges gaps and helps individuals access essential resources such as housing, health care, entitlements, and treatment. We foster health, wellness, and systemic change in Hawai’i and the Pacific through outreach, care services, advocacy, training, prevention, education, and capacity building.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Kauhale Peer Navigator functions as the key linkage between Kauhale residents and the service systems throughout the Kauhale community and responds comprehensively to the needs of the program participants through outreach, referral, and case management.

This is a temporary (2+ years), full-time, non-exempt, hourly position with HHHRC at Middle Street Kauhale in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Forty (40) hour work week as a part of a shift schedule with some evening and weekend attendance for required events. Flexible schedule required – some evenings, nights, and weekends may be required for on-call duties.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to:         Kauhale Manager

Supervises:          N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Conduct intakes and assist in assessment, counseling, and referrals for residential placement within the Kauhale community. 
• Provide psycho-social rehabilitation services (teaching hygiene and self-care, housing skills, budgeting, problem-solving, etc.).
• Develop and facilitate case management services that meet the goals for each resident. 
• Provide linkage to additional HHHRC services including substance use, behavioral health, and clinical services. Follow-up with residents and providers of services to support preferred outcomes for residents.
• Conduct street-based outreach in the Kauhale community area with people experiencing homelessness.
• Assist residents in navigating financial (general assistance, SNAP), medical, and mental health systems to connect them with services, as needed. 
• Meet with residents on a weekly basis, with notes, to ensure consistent communication with each resident. 
• Complete required documentation and reporting requirements for program activities, adhering to Kauhale guidelines, maintaining records of all program participant cases, and ensuring that records are kept confidential.
• Perform other Kauhale duties as needed and assigned. Duties are subject to change.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to a safe, creative, enthusiastic, and cooperative working environment for all.
• Work as a team with other staff and support team members.
• Maintain appropriate professional and ethical standards while serving as a representative of HHHRC.
• Observe and comply with rules and regulations – such as HHHRC Code of Conduct, Drug-Free Workplace – and other administrative policies of HHHRC.
• Abide by all policies and procedures of the HHHRC Health & Safety Program and the Quality Management Program. 
• Comply with HHHRC confidentiality policy, HIPAA requirements, cultural competencies, and rights to persons served, as well as CARF standards.
• Demonstrate steadfast understanding of, and commitment to, the Mission, Vision, and Values of HHHRC.   

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Office environment: indoors, air-conditioned.
• Outreach environments: outdoors, including sidewalk and off-road homeless encampments.
• Sitting using office equipment and computers, which can cause muscle strain.
• Regular use of computers keyboards, telephone, and operating office equipment.
• Navigating uneven off-road paths, sometimes at an incline.
• Essential physical activities: standing, sitting, walking, finger dexterity, seeing, hearing, speaking, reaching above, at, and below shoulder, and frequent gripping of an object. 
• Occasional physical activities: stooping, bending, squatting, twisting body, and lifting.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of supplies and equipment (up to 25 pounds).
• Must be able to walk for long periods of time to engage in street-based outreach.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.). 
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong crisis intervention and de-escalation skills.
• Knowledge of the houseless community, especially in Hawaii.
• Non-judgmental attitude and ability to respect the knowledge, actions, and feelings of others.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively, both independently and as part of a team.
• Capability to work well and thrive professionally in an atmosphere of significant diversity, working with marginalized populations.
• Ability to handle difficult interactions with care, compassion, and assertiveness with the confidence to work alone.
• Capacity to relate effectively to people of a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures. 

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent, or equivalent work experience. 
• One or more years of professional and/or personal experience with homelessness. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates degree, or undergraduate degree, in Social Work or related field.
• Experience in street-based outreach.
• One or more years of experience in the human services field.
• Extensive knowledge of O’ahu including supportive services and resources.
• Training in substance abuse, harm reduction, and dual diagnosis. 

REQUIRED WORK CARDS/CERTIFICATIONS: 

• Valid Hawaii Driver's License and clean three-year (3-year) Driver's Abstract.
• TB Clearance
• Hep B Clearance and/or Vaccination
• Must pass Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services eligibility screening.

Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.