Rialto Development Association

Project Worker for
Rialto Community Drug Team

Job Title: Project Worker (Harm Reduction & Community Development)

Location: Rialto Community Drug Team, St. Andrew’s Community Centre, Rialto, D8

Hours: 28 hours per week

Job type: Permanent (subject to annual funding agreements), including a six-month probationary period

Reporting to: RCDT Team Leader

Salary: Attached to HSE Social Care Worker scale

Rialto Community Drug Team (RCDT) is a low threshold community addiction project based in Rialto Dublin 8. Our services include Addiction support (individual and group), a Community Prison Links programme, Child and Family Support, Homeless/Housing Support and Advocacy, Systemic Child and family therapy, Outreach and Holistic Therapies.

Our five priority areas are: Harm Reduction, Treatment & Rehabilitation, Outreach, Community Development and Research & Evaluation.

The job description below gives a guideline for the skills we need however we will allow some room for the experience of those attending for interview to possibly shape the position advertised. We see this as a dynamic role within the team and one that will go some way to address the changing face of addiction in the months and years following the pandemic. So we are interested in hearing from you if you can demonstrate your interest and passion for this role.

Job Description/Key responsibilities

Key Working/Harm Reduction

• To enhance the role of Harm Reduction work through a community development approach
• Support and empower the community by listening and engaging with groups and individuals particularly around the underlying issues of addiction.
• To facilitate, in a professional and objective manner referrals, assessments and care plans for individuals accessing the service
• To provide a safe and non-judgmental environment to encourage engagement for individuals, family members & young adults within the project including our drop-in service when open
• To provide written reports to the Team Leader and Management committee when requested
• To work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and participate in team and other relevant project meetings.
• To assist, develop and deliver programmes to meet needs of the target groups/individuals within the local community, particularly around mental health.

Community development & Outreach

• Explore engagement with the local community and ways RCDT might better understand and meet their needs within the remit of the organisation.
• Forge new relationships with identified groups and develop and strengthen referral links.
• Support individuals, families, and young people in the wider communities to bring about social change and improve the quality of life in their local area. Addressing the key determinants of addiction.
• Communicate more widely about RCDT, its purpose, services, and strategic work, building awareness of our services with those identified target groups in the area.
• Support the Team Leader in developing a formal outreach plan of work ensure that RCDT continues to be necessary and responsive to need. (link in with Task Force outreach team and Rialto Youth project)
• Street Outreach (several sessions per week in conjunction with other services based in the Task Force area).
• Outreach and Support to drug users and their families
• Outreach and Support to drug users and their families through hospital visits (in co-operation with St. James’s hospital and Rialto Primary Care Centre).

Person Specification

Qualifications/skills- Essential

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in paid addiction or similar key working position ideally within a Low threshold Community addiction environment
• Relevant 3rd Level qualification in addiction studies or related studies
• One to one Key working/case management skills and experience
• Understanding of how Low Threshold projects operate.
• Knowledge of evidenced based mental health supports/programmes
• Experience in service user support and engagement
• Ability to manage crisis intervention situations.

Skills- desirable

• Ability to manage challenging behaviour in a competent and professional manner
• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Have a knowledge of Harm reduction, outreach and community development practice
• Experience in targeted street outreach
• Be able to work as part of a team understanding the importance of team communication
• Experience in electronic data entry (ideally eCASS Salesforce system)
• Ability and experience to participate in a case conference or a Meitheal when requested

FLEXIBLE HOURS

The nature of this post occasionally requires that the holder to be flexible in working hours to cover the operational times of the service and the centre on a rota basis. This may involve scheduled evening and weekend work.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and may be reviewed from time to time to reflect the needs of the service.

This project is funded by The Canal Community Local Drugs & Alcohol Task Force / Health Service Executive.

Rialto Community Drug Team is an equal opportunities employer.

Application Process:

Please apply by sending a copy of your CV, cover letter (email) clearly detailing reason and interest in this post.

For more information contact Alan Cleere (Team Leader) at 087 952 5721/01 454 0021 or email alan@rcdt.ie.

Closing date: 5pm Monday 24th February
Interviews will take place within two weeks of the closing date.