Harm Reduction Counselor

Department

Mental Health Services

Reports To 

Health Services Coordinator

Education Requirement 

Masters Degree or Undergraduate degree and  3 years of commensurate experience providing direct services to PWUD CASAC preferred.

Lived experience in community with PWUD and participation in mutual aid/community care work is highly valued.

FLSA

Non-Exempt 

Salary

$64,800 - $67,500

Schedule

35 hours/week ; 4 weekdays and 1 weekend day, 1 remote day

 Competencies

Harm Reduction Expertise

• Demonstrates deep understanding of harm reduction principles, safer use practices, overdose prevention, and substance-use–related health needs.
• Able to translate harm reduction strategies into practical, individualized plans for clients.
• Stays current on emerging trends, drugs, and safer-use tools (e.g., test strips, naloxone, xylazine awareness).

 Clinical & Therapeutic Engagement

• Provides non-judgmental, trauma-informed, client-centered counseling.
• Skilled in crisis intervention, safety assessments, and short-term stabilization.
• Capable of building trust with young LGBTQ clients, including those who use drugs and/or are experiencing homelessness.

Cultural Humility & LGBTQ Competency

• Demonstrates deep understanding of the lived experiences, challenges, and disparities faced by LGBTQ and TGNC young people.
• Comfortable and competent working in community with trans* individuals, BIPOC youth, sex workers, and unhoused populations.
• Approaches services with cultural humility, intersectional awareness, and a commitment to social justice.

Program Development & Facilitation

• Supports the development and expansion of harm reduction programming.
• Creates curriculum, workshops, and group programming centered on safer use, substance use education, and skill building.
• Able to train staff on harm reduction, LGBTQ best practices, and substance-use–related topics.

Communication & Documentation

• Produces clear, timely documentation of services, assessments, safety checks, and intake information.
• Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable facilitating conversations around sex, drug use, and stigmatized behaviors.

Crisis Management & Problem Solving

• Responds calmly, thoughtfully, and effectively to clients in crisis.
• Uses sound judgment in high-pressure or unpredictable situations.
• Identifies problems and uses available resources to generate solutions quickly and appropriately.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in providing therapy or substance use counseling and skilled in therapeutic engagement and basic assessments
• Experience and competency working with people who do sex work.
• Ability to apply harm reduction principles to other criminalised/stigmatised behaviours (I.e. self injury, sex work, eating disorders, etc)
• Ability to multitask and manage different priorities under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and with others.
• Ability to use resources to problem solve.
• Effective computer skills and proficiency with Google Suite
• Lived experience of homelessness, drug use, and/or sex work

Technical Skills 

• Expert knowledge of harm reduction principles and strategies
• Experience, competency, and comfort being in community with trans* people
• Experience working with teens and young adults
• A demonstrated commitment to harm reduction principles and social justice for people who use drugs
• A thorough understanding of the psychosocial and health needs of TGNC & LGBQ youth, particularly those experiencing homelessness
• Passionate about bridging healthcare disparities that queer and trans BIPOC and other historically underserved populations face
• Comfortable working with people who use drugs and facilitating open conversations around sex and drug use.
• Competent communication & writing skills.
• Compassionate & empathetic..

FULL-TIME BENEFITS & PTO

• Paid sick, vacation, personal, 12 holidays 
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 4O1k (matching) 
• EAP program 

Multilanguage speaking candidates are encouraged to apply (Spanish, French, etc.).  Transgender and gender non-conforming people are encouraged to apply. People with lived experience of homelessness encouraged to apply. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color encouraged to apply.

The Ali Forney Center is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.