Harm Reduction Specialist

Harm Reduction Specialist

Position Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Harm Reduction Specialist will provide direct support, outreach, education, advocacy, and resource navigation to individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders that are affecting individual and family wellness in the Greater Bemidji area. This position will work within a community-based harm reduction program focused on reducing overdose deaths, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, improving access to health and social services, and increasing overall health outcomes in targeted communities.

The Harm Reduction Specialist will build trusting relationships with community members through street outreach, safe use education, overdose prevention education, peer support, and connections to other community resources. This position will promote dignity, autonomy, and culturally responsive care while supporting participants in improving overall health, safety, and stability. This is a part-time position with the potential to become full-time.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct community outreach with individuals experiencing homelessness and/or substance use disorders
• Build trusting, nonjudgmental relationships with program participants through participant-centered engagement
• Distribute harm reduction supplies including safer use supplies, naloxone, hygiene products, safer sex supplies, and educational materials
• Provide overdose prevention education and naloxone training to participants and community members
• Connect participants to community resources including housing supports, treatment services, healthcare, mental health services, transportation resources, food access, and other supportive services
• Provide peer support and advocacy while encouraging participant self-determination and goal setting
• Assist with participant intakes, referrals, follow-up services, and documentation requirements
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely records within required databases and reporting systems
• Participate in community events, outreach activities, and educational presentations
• Assist with inventory management, organization, and distribution of program supplies
• Maintain professional boundaries and uphold participant confidentiality
• Participate in required trainings, staff meetings, and professional development opportunities
• Work collaboratively with community partners and internal program staff
• Ability to travel for community-based outreach, street outreach, mobile outreach, and participation in community events
• Must be able to work respectfully with humility and kindness with a variety of individuals and community settings where individuals may be experiencing homelessness or substance use-related challenges
• Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required based on outreach and community event needs
• Perform other duties as assigned

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE

• Post secondary education in Social Services, Behavioral Health or related field preferred
• Peer Support Specialist Certification required
• Valid driver’s license required
• Experience working within harm reduction, homelessness services, behavioral health, recovery support, outreach, or related human services preferred
• Lived experience with recovery, homelessness, incarceration, or substance use is valued
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles, overdose prevention, and trauma-informed care practices preferred
• Ability to engage respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lives
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Initiative and ability to work independently and as part of a team to accomplish programming goals
• Ability to learn and maintain accurate documentation and data entry requirements
• Experience using Microsoft Office and database systems preferred
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Reliable, self-motivated, and able to adapt within community environments
• Understanding of Indigenous traditions, lifestyles, and worldviews with a focus on Anishinaabe wellbeing, or willingness to learn and integrate culturally responsive practices into delivery methods
• Other duties as assigned

Salary: $22 per hour – DOQ

Disclaimer:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Successful employment is dependent on passing a criminal background check and drug screen. We are a second chance employer and a criminal background does not automatically preclude employment.

Pay: $22.00 per hour

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22