NHBS Assistant Field Supervisor - Military veterans preferred

Position Details

Position Summary

As part of the School of Social Work at Portland State University, the Regional Research Institute (RRI) conducts innovative research, training, and program evaluation to address critical community issues. This RRI position will be housed within the Oregon Health Authority, Portland State Office Building (800 NE Oregon St., Portland).

The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) project is an anonymous survey and HIV testing for populations at increased risk for HIV, including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and people at increased risk of HIV via heterosexual transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds NHBS in more than 20 U.S. areas, including the Portland metropolitan area. The project collects data on sexual and drug use risk behaviors, use of prevention services, and the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV infection. NHBS data help public health agencies better understand and address the HIV epidemic. The population of interest for 2024 is people who inject drugs.

This position will conduct interviews, conduct HIV counseling and testing, and assist the Field Operations Manager in supervising field activities for the 2024 Portland NHBS data collection cycle. This position will receive direction from the Project Manager and Field Operations Manager.

This position will be housed within the Oregon Health Authority, Portland State Office Building (800 NE Oregon St., Portland) with travel throughout the Portland metropolitan statistical area.

This is a part-time hourly position, averaging just under 20 hours per week (.49 FTE). Some shifts will be evenings and weekends.

Job duties in this position include:

? Filling in for the Field Operations Manager role during planned and unplanned absences:

o Preparing and maintaining interview and testing materials and supplies

o Managing a coupon-based participant referral system

o Managing and tracking cash incentives for participants

o Checking in potential participants when they arrive for screening

o Managing storage of blood specimens and shipment of specimens to laboratories if necessary

o Driving an oversized state-owned vehicle to various locations within the Portland metropolitan area

? Conducting data collection activities:

o Screening participants for eligibility and obtaining informed consent

o Completing computer assisted interviews with participants. After required training, you will use CDC-approved survey software to conduct in-depth standardized interviews and enter survey data

o Conducting HIV and HCV testing and counseling. After required training, you will collect blood specimens for HIV and HCV testing via finger sticks, provide HIV and HCV test results and pre- and post-test counseling, and enter testing data

? Participating in regular checks in with field staff and meeting with the research team as needed

? Assisting the Field Operations Manager with field staff evaluations and providing feedback on interviewing and testing procedures

? Working non-traditional hours as needed—some interviewing/testing sessions may take place on evenings and/or weekends

• Proficient in English;

• Ability to adhere to strict detailed protocols;

• Ability to comply with strict protocols in confidentiality;

• Ability to learn and use computer data entry systems;

• Ability to quickly establish rapport with strangers, especially underserved or marginalized populations including gender and sexual minorities, racial/ethnic minorities, people experiencing houselessness, and people who use drugs;

• Effective communication skills in working with participants, community members, and co-workers;

• Experience taking direction and collaborating on project tasks;

• Certified to perform HIV counseling and testing, or willing to attend training;

• Available for nights and weekend shifts;

• Access to reliable transportation;
• Possession of a valid driver license.

This appointment is contingent upon successful completion of both PSU and Oregon Health Authority background checks.

• Proficient in Spanish;
• Experience conducting standardized interviews or surveys;

• Experience working with online data entry and/or database software to monitor project operations;

• Lived and/or professional experience working with people who inject drugs;
• Basic knowledge of HIV epidemiology and prevention;

• Experience providing HIV counseling and testing;
• Experience in conflict resolution;
• Supervisory experience.

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
• Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at www.pdx.edu/hr/professional-standards-conduct.