Community Outreach Assistant

REPORTS TO: Program Manager/Study Coordinator

LOCATION:ICAP Harlem Prevention Center (HPC), 215 West 125th Street

Under the supervision of the Program Manager and Researcher/Technical Advisor (Study Coordinator), the Community Outreach Assistant engages, recruits and retains participants for an HIV Prevention Trials Network study. Responsible for all project-related outreach, engagement, recruitment activities and will implement community-based study retention measures.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Performs outreach to engage, educate, recruit, and retain study participants in community and non-traditional settings (bars, subways, informal gatherings) while working flexible hours (evenings & weekends). Other outreach venues include over the telephone, via email, and through social media
• Conducts outreach to relevant community partners through educational and collaborative activities and attends community and stakeholder functions
• Conducts community-based recruitment and retention activities including permitted visits to participant homes and other community locations
• Tracks scheduled follow up study visits, provides reminder letters and calls for follow-up visits, and conducts other activities to retain study participants
• Completes and updates locator forms and assists with scheduling participant appointments
• Establishes and maintains positive relationships with potential and enrolled participants, visitors, and other employees 
• Contributes to study team outreach and retention strategies
• Conducts all research activities in accordance with study protocol, standard operating procedures and other appropriate institutional regulations, procedures and policies, including procedures to safeguard confidentiality of study participants
• Regularly provide updates on the progress of recruitment activities to the Site Leader and Study Coordinator to ensure appropriate and timely enrollments, quickly identify difficulties, and implement corrective measures 
• Delivers study-related presentations to community partners
• Attends study specific and other study related trainings and meetings as requested by the Study Coordinator
• Maintains professional behavior in non-traditional work settings (night clubs, public venues, informal gatherings)
• Under the supervision of the Study Coordinator and the Research Nurse, transports study medication and devices between study site and study pharmacy
• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education and experience

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum two (2) years of community based outreach experience
• Experience conducting outreach in, or familiarity with, Gay/MSM venues and communities
• Experience working with diverse, medically underserved, high risk populations and communities
• Demonstrated experience working in teams and independently, and exercising initiative and  discretion when handling confidential information

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Demonstrated and successful experience managing multiple priorities under pressure
• Effectively maintains professional boundaries in diverse public settings
• Previous experience working with and employing recruitment and retention strategies in research studies
• Experience in community organizing or issue campaign organizing
• Knowledge of New York City communities of men who have sex with men

SPECIAL WORKING TIME AND ENVIRONMENT

• Must be willing to work nights and weekends in order to meet with targeted community
• Work environment will include bars, nightclubs, and other social venues in order to meet and recruit targeted community

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS 

No international travel required

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please note, there are two Community Outreach Assistant positions. To apply for these positions, please visit https://jobs.columbia.edu and search by Requisition number 066595 and 066596.

You can also cut and paste the quick links below:

jobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=131212
jobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=131215

Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, creed, national and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status.