Harm Reduction Manager

Starting Salary: $61,920

Employment with the City of Canton comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, paid vacations, paid holidays, a retirement plan, and sick time.

Applicants must apply at governmentjobs.com. Applicants MUST submit a copy of a valid driver's license or other photo ID along with their application and any other pertinent documentation.

This is an open examination. To be eligible for this position, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or have a permanent resident card. 

Position Summary: We are seeking a passionate and experienced Harm Reduction Manager to lead and grow the Harm Reduction Programs at Canton City Public Health. Under general supervision, this person is dedicated to mitigating the harms associated with substance use by implementing evidence-based harm reduction strategies. The Harm Reduction Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of our Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program (OENDP) and needle exchange services, ensuring compliance with local regulations, best practices and grant deliverables. This role requires strong leadership, critical thinking, organizational skills, and a commitment to promoting health equity and reducing the adverse consequences of drug use in our community by embracing harm reduction as a public health strategy. This position is 100% grant funded.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Management:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate harm reduction programs, including the Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program (OENDP) and needle exchange services, in accordance with organizational goals and objectives, state law and grant deliverables.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of harm reduction principles, practices, and emerging trends and laws to inform program development and implementation.
• Monitor program outcomes and effectiveness, regularly assessing the impact of services on the target population.
• Develop workplans, strategic plans and data reports/briefs to disseminate program goals and outcomes, budget allocation and other program/facility metrics.
• Manage harm reduction facilities, including rent, utilities, support services for the site and operational activities.
• Secure and uphold contracts to meet the needs of all harm reduction programs. Hold all partners accountable to contract terms.
• Manage program budgeting activities, including securing quotes, requesting purchase orders and paying invoices.

Team Leadership:

• Recruit, train, and develop staff and volunteers involved in harm reduction activities, ensuring adherence to program protocols and ethical standards.
• Supervise direct report staff and volunteers: assign duties; approve work schedules, timecards and time accounting; complete employee evaluations, career development and disciplinary actions (as necessary); oversee work product accuracy and completeness, etc.
• Provide ongoing support, guidance, and professional development opportunities to team members to enhance program delivery and efficacy.

Community Engagement:

• Foster positive relationships with community stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, community and religious organizations, and people who use drugs, to promote collaboration and support for harm reduction initiatives.
• Represent the organization on community workgroups and at community meetings, events, and forums to advocate for harm reduction policies and educate the public about the importance of these services.

Quality Assurance:

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing harm reduction services, including but not limited to drug distribution laws, confidentiality requirements, and safe needle disposal protocols.
• Implement quality assurance measures to maintain the safety, effectiveness, and integrity of harm reduction programs, including regular audits, risk assessments, and process improvements.

Education and Outreach:

• Develop and deliver educational materials, workshops, and training sessions on harm reduction principles, overdose prevention, safer drug use practices, and related topics for diverse audiences.
• Conduct outreach activities to engage underserved communities and marginalized populations, particularly those disproportionately affected by substance use-related harms.
• Serve as Naloxone Trainer for all of Stark County.

Grant Writing & Management:

• Research funding opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and private donors to support harm reduction initiatives.
• Prepare grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and fundraising appeals in collaboration with relevant staff members, ensuring alignment with programmatic goals and funder requirements.
• Manage grant application processes from start to finish, including budget development, narrative writing, submission, and post-award reporting.
• Manage the grant portfolio of CCPH’s harm reduction programming. Ensure grant funding is secure by meeting and reporting grant deliverables in a timely and complete manner.
• Cultivate relationships with potential funders and stakeholders, providing regular updates on program activities and outcomes to demonstrate impact and promote continued investment in harm reduction efforts.

Other Duties:

• Participate in staff committees and workgroups.
• Provide support functions in response to public health emergencies as directed by the Health Commissioner.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.   The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Minimum Qualifications and Credentials:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, social work, community development, or a related field OR equivalent experiential background.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in harm reduction programming, substance use disorder treatment, or public health advocacy.
• Minimum of one year of leadership experience
• Demonstrated leadership experiences such as spearheading community outreach programs, leading advocacy campaigns, or organizing support groups to effectively engage with diverse populations and drive positive change.
• Experience implementing harm reduction principles, strategies, and best practices, with a commitment to health equity, social justice, and harm reduction philosophy.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse populations and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal regulations and standards governing harm reduction services, including but not limited to naloxone distribution laws and syringe exchange regulations.
• Experience in program development, evaluation, and quality assurance, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize workload, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data management software.

The following must be acquired and maintained. These credentials are not required upon initial hire but must be acquired after hiring and within 6 months. Training will be provided for all of these credentials.
 

• Certification in National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command Systems (ICS) levels 100 & 700.

Work environment: The work environment includes a general office setting to prepare program materials, which may include sitting for long periods of time, using a computer with keyboard and other office equipment. Program clinic operations and client interactions may entail regular exposure to psychologically or emotionally challenging information, necessitating resilience and a supportive team atmosphere to maintain well-being of self and staff and effectively address the needs of individuals served. This position is located at an off-site location, which may present limited amounts of direct supervision at times. The position requires some availability on nights and weekends to attend community outreach events. Outreach events may require occasional lifting up to 25lbs, transporting outreach equipment and occasionally being exposed to outdoor weather conditions. Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA Compliance will be made available to those who need it to achieve the above descriptions.

Benefits: This position takes part in a pension plan from the Ohio Public Employment Retirement System.  Eligible for insurance (medical, dental, vision, life), paid sick leave, paid vacation, and paid holidays.  

ADA COMPLIANCE
Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA Compliance will be made available upon request to those qualified applicants in need of it, in order to achieve the essential job functions as described above.
 
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for appointment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, age, type of disability, or any other non-merit factor.

At the City of Canton, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.