Application Guide

How to Apply for LGBTQIA+ Health & Harm Reduction Manager

at National Harm Reduction Coalition

🏢 About National Harm Reduction Coalition

The National Harm Reduction Coalition is unique for its pragmatic, non-judgmental approach to drug policy and health, focusing on meeting people where they are rather than abstinence-only models. They combine grassroots community work with national advocacy, making them a leader in shifting public health paradigms around substance use. Someone would want to work here to be part of an organization that values lived experience and implements evidence-based strategies that directly save lives in marginalized communities.

About This Role

This role involves leading the Lighthouse Learning Collective in NYC, specifically bridging LGBTQIA+ health services with harm reduction and substance use treatment providers. You'll be creating educational materials and training programs while managing a coordinator and a contract budget. It's impactful because you'll be building capacity across service systems to better serve LGBTQIA+ individuals who use drugs, addressing critical gaps in culturally competent care.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve facilitating a virtual meeting of the Lighthouse Learning Collective with NYC service providers, reviewing and providing feedback on training materials being developed by your coordinator, tracking contract deliverables and expenses against your budget, and preparing for an upcoming webinar on LGBTQIA+ competent harm reduction practices. You'd likely be balancing direct service coordination with administrative responsibilities and strategic planning.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who National Harm Reduction Coalition Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years in non-profit program work with direct experience serving both LGBTQIA+ communities and people who use drugs (not just one population)
  • Demonstrates practical experience in coalition-building, specifically bringing together diverse stakeholders (service providers, community members) around sensitive health topics
  • Can show concrete examples of designing and facilitating training curricula, not just delivering existing trainings
  • Has managed contracts and budgets in a non-profit setting, with understanding of grant reporting requirements and deliverables tracking

📝 Tips for Applying to National Harm Reduction Coalition

1

Explicitly mention your experience with both LGBTQIA+ communities AND people who use drugs in your resume - this dual focus is crucial for this role

2

Include specific examples of coalition-building work, especially if you've bridged different sectors (health, social services, community organizations)

3

Demonstrate your technical proficiency by mentioning specific project management systems you've used (Asana, Trello, Basecamp, etc.) beyond just Google/Microsoft Suite

4

Highlight any NYC-specific experience or knowledge of the local LGBTQIA+ and harm reduction service landscape

5

Quantify your training impact - how many people trained, types of organizations served, curriculum developed

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your philosophy on harm reduction as it specifically relates to LGBTQIA+ communities (not just generic harm reduction principles)', "Concrete examples of successful coalition-building or collaborative projects you've led or contributed to", 'Experience with contract management and budget oversight in non-profit settings', "Your approach to supervision and capacity building, referencing the NYC Capacity Building Coordinator role you'd be managing"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → The National Harm Reduction Coalition's specific programs and initiatives in NYC (beyond their national work)
  • → Current harm reduction policies and landscape in New York City, including syringe service programs and overdose prevention centers
  • → Key LGBTQIA+ health organizations and substance use treatment providers in NYC that might be part of the collective
  • → The organization's stance on current drug policy debates and how they articulate their values in public statements
Visit National Harm Reduction Coalition's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach building trust and engagement with both established service providers and community members in the Lighthouse Learning Collective?
2 Describe a time you developed training materials on a sensitive topic - what was your process for ensuring cultural competency and accessibility?
3 How have you managed competing priorities when dealing with contract deliverables, budget constraints, and community needs?
4 What specific strategies would you use to address the unique health disparities faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals who use drugs?
5 How would you handle a situation where a service provider in the collective holds stigmatizing views about drug use or LGBTQIA+ identities?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using stigmatizing language about drug use or focusing primarily on abstinence-based approaches in your application
  • Treating LGBTQIA+ communities and people who use drugs as separate issues rather than understanding their intersection
  • Being vague about your direct experience with contract management and budget oversight in non-profit settings

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to National Harm Reduction Coalition!

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