Bilingual Engagement Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

H.O.L.A. Engagement Specialist

H.O.L.A. Program- Community Health Department

Damien Center Values

Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation

Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8000 individuals living with or at risk for HIV through a comprehensive, innovative approach to care and prevention. Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in providing services, education and advocacy for all people living with or at risk for HIV and any person seeking a safe and welcoming home for care. Our services include care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition. 

Position Summary:  

The H.O.L.A. Engagement Specialist is responsible for delivering comprehensive HIV and STI prevention services through community-based outreach, education, testing, and linkage-to-care activities. This position provides rapid HIV and STI testing, pre- and post-test counseling, crisis intervention, and navigation to prevention and treatment services, including PrEP, PEP, harm reduction programs, and HIV medical care. The Specialist actively engages individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by HIV through outreach efforts conducted in both clinical and nontraditional community settings.

This role serves as a key liaison between The Damien Center and the community by building strong partnerships with organizations, stakeholders, and community leaders; conducting educational presentations and workshops; and supporting public awareness and prevention initiatives. The position also contributes to program growth through strategic outreach, recruitment, and engagement of priority populations.

Additionally, the H.O.L.A. Engagement Specialist maintains accurate and confidential client records, ensures compliance with agency and grant reporting requirements, supports quality improvement efforts, and assists with outreach logistics, marketing campaigns, and operation of the agency’s mobile testing unit. The position requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and community events, as well as regular travel throughout the service area to advance The Damien Center’s mission of reducing HIV transmission and improving community health outcomes

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. 

• Provide rapid HIV and STI testing services in both clinical and community-based settings.
• Conduct pre-test and post-test counseling, ensuring clients understand test results, prevention options, and available resources.
• Conduct testing at community locations including bathhouses, bars, laundromats, community events, health fairs, and other venues serving high-risk populations.
• Provide crisis intervention and emotional support when appropriate.
• Facilitate immediate linkage to HIV medical care and supportive services for individuals who receive a positive HIV diagnosis.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies designed to identify, engage, educate, and test individuals at increased risk for HIV infection.
• Recruit and engage members of priority populations who can help promote prevention messaging throughout their communities and social networks.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with community organizations, stakeholders, and key community gatekeepers to increase awareness of services and support program goals.
• Participate in health fairs, educational events, community presentations, and agency-sponsored speaking engagements.
• Represent The Damien Center professionally within the community and serve as a trusted resource on HIV prevention and sexual health.
• Provide education, consultation, and navigation services for individuals interested in or eligible for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
• Address perceived barriers to prevention services and support clients throughout the enrollment and navigation process.
• Provide referrals to PrEP, PEP
• Remain current on evolving HIV prevention strategies and share updated information with staff, community partners, and clients
• Conduct risk-reduction presentations and educational workshops with partner organizations and community groups
• Connect individuals interested in becoming Damien Center clients or patients with the appropriate program staff.
• Ensure individuals testing negative but at high risk are connected to prevention services including PrEP and harm reduction programs.
• Assist with the planning, coordination, logistics, and implementation of outreach and marketing campaigns.
• Support program growth through collaboration with community organizations and partners.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential client records.
• Enter and manage data within approved database systems and reporting platforms.
• Document client encounters, prevention plans, referrals, assessments, and progress notes.
• Ensure compliance with agency, grant, and funding requirements related to data collection and reporting.
• Prepare reports for funders, leadership, and Quality Improvement departments as required.
• Participate in program evaluation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement activities.
• Operate, maintain, and responsibly manage the agency's mobile testing unit.
• Travel regularly to outreach locations using reliable transportation.
• Work flexible and non-traditional schedules, including evenings, nights, weekends, and community events 
• Perform special projects, assignments, and additional duties as assigned to support agency goals and mission.

Education and/or Experience:

Experience with HIV testing and/or community outreach is preferred. Bilingual in Spanish/English required. Driving and reliable transportation are required for work-related purposes required.

*Work or lived experience may substitute for education requirements on a case-by-case basis. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines, and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills are required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work. 

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Remote work is on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the supervisor. 

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate.
• Individuals should maintain personal and professional competency and work to create an environment of courtesy, respect, inclusion, and positivity in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.

FLSA Status: Hourly, Full-time, Non-Exempt               

Leader: H.O.L.A. Program Manager

Salary: $25.03 hourly

Benefits:  

• 150 hours of PTO in the first year followed by 195 hours per year moving forward.
• 12 paid holidays
• Medical coverage options include a PPO plan or a HDHP. 
• Dental & Vision plans
• Health Saving Account or Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403b Retirement Account with 5% matching and 100% vesting after 90 days
• Life Insurance @ 2 times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life Insurance Plan including spouse and child coverage options
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans
• Premium Subscription to the CALM APP which assists with anxiety, stress & other mental health challenges
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Annual performance review that includes an annual performance-based salary increase

Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve.  As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x-ray) annually, barring an approved religious or medical exemption.    

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Damien Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, other legally protected status, or genetic (including family medical history) information.

Damien Center complies with applicable federal laws and with all state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which Damien Center has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment.  Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.