Harm Reduction Worker/Needle Exchange

Job Title                      Harm Reduction Worker (Needle Exchange)

Department                 Harm Reduction Services, Community and Justice

Bargaining Unit           CUPE 2938.13

Salary Grade               Class 4B

Posting Date               February 26, 2026

Closing Date               March 13, 2026 or until position is filled

Benefits: Yes, Extended Health, LTD, Dental, Life, Accident

Vacancy: 1.0 FTE

Start Date                    As Soon As Possible

End Date                     Twelve (12) Month Contract

Application Link: https://jhsdurham.bamboohr.com/careers/438

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project X-Change Program is committed to engaging people who use substances in a non-judgmental, culturally safe, and non-coercive manner. Central to this work is the recognition that lived experience of substance use is invaluable. The Program actively values, uplifts, and integrates the knowledge, insight, and leadership of people with lived experience to inform meaningful, responsive, and compassionate support. It prioritizes human rights, dignity, choice, and self-determination while addressing specific risks, including HCV, HIV, overdose, and substance-related harms. This program provides essential support and resources for individuals who use substances while respecting their autonomy, promoting safer practices, and recognizing them as experts in their own lives.

The role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities aimed at supporting at-risk individuals and advancing harm reduction. A key component of this position is drawing upon your lived experience to build trust, foster authentic connection, and meet people where they are at. By sharing experiential knowledge in a purposeful and professional way, you help reduce stigma, empower safer choices regarding substance use and health, and contribute to a community grounded in respect, understanding, and mutual learning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Support

• Actively seek out, engage and, develop rapport with people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, sex workers, and other marginalized or at-risk groups utilizing a trauma-informed approach.


• Distribute safe use supplies and practical supports to service users in office, community and within other organizations as appropriate.


• Provide information, education, and encourage practices that promote positive health outcomes and are grounded in best practice guidelines and research.


• Provide and encourage
  safe disposal of paraphernalia.


• Provide emotional support and/or utilize de-escalation skills with clients experiencing crisis or distress.


• Actively listen and assess readiness for change and support goals appropriately.


• Refer and connect clients to health and other community services as necessary.


• Respond to overdoses/drug poisoning when they occur; administering naloxone and calling EMS as needed.


• Distribute Naloxone and provide training


• Coordinates with internal staff to ensure and execute community clean up response.

 Marketing and Programming

• Support the development and implementation of promotional materials and strategies to effectively reach and engage the target population.


• Provide education to the community on the principles of harm reduction in order to reduce stigma and eliminate barriers to accessing essential supports for service users.


• Collaborate with other community services to improve access to harm reduction services for those at-risk.  


• Facilitate Naloxone training and distribution to address overdose risks and provide prevention education.


• Support the creation of program marketing and information material, update the resource library and bulletin board to enhance accessibility to information and resources.


• Organize and participate in community events


• Organize and facilitate informational workshops to community and service users.

Program Administration

• Recruit, interview, train, and supervise placement students to support program activities.


• Collect, record and report accurate statistical data related to the program.


• Complete incident reports as required.


• Contributes information and ideas to ongoing program development and changing needs of service users and community.


• Attend and contribute to program, agency and community meetings as appropriate.


• Attend training and workshops as planned or directed by the funder or the Harm Reduction Program Coordinator.


• Conduct periodic check-ins with satellite sites to share information, assess support needs, and ensure the implementation of best practices.


• Disseminate information about agency programs and services to staff and clients.


• Maintain supplies, inventory stock as needed.


• Order OHRDP supplies as needed.


• Implement client surveys as required.


• Maintain confidentiality and adherence to program and agency policies and procedures.


• Maintain clean, organized exchange sites.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education & Certifications:

• Minimum 2 year college diploma in Addictions & Mental Health, Social Services or related field


• A valid G driver's license.


• Access to a personal vehicle with a minimum of $2,000,000 liability insurance.


• Must have Hepatitis B vaccinations.

Experience: 

• MUST have previous personal lived experience related to substance use. “Lived experience" refers to firsthand, personal experience—not secondhand experience through others, such as a friend or relative.


• Previous experience utilizing a harm reduction model in addictions counselling, social service work, and/or healthcare.


• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Strong ability to actively listen and support a diverse clientele using anti-stigma language and a trauma-informed approach.


• Solid knowledge of substances, typical and atypical routes of administration, and risks.


• Ability to understand and adhere to harm reduction philosophy, techniques, and strategies including safer sex practices, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, STIs and testing, and treatment. 


• Ability to practice self-awareness and maintain appropriate boundaries while drawing on lived experience.


• Good knowledge of community and healthcare services in the Durham Region.


• Strong ability to apply motivational interviewing, crisis intervention techniques and de-escalation strategies.


• Ability to write professional correspondence, memos, letters, etc.


• Basic mathematical skills.


• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.


• Adaptability to meet changing work needs and demands.


• Proficiency in maintaining filing systems, basic databases, and records.


• Superior telephone manners and strong interpersonal skills.


• Ability to work day, evening and occasional weekend shifts.


• Competence in using the Internet, Outlook, and Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and database programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc.


• May work outside in all weather (modified work for severe weather) and various terrain (as is reasonable)


• Interacts with the public, clients, staff, visitors, and staff from other organizations.


• Ongoing physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting.


• Able to lift items as heavy as 35 lbs.


• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.


• Flexible hours as required.