Harm Reduction Support Worker

NorWest Community Health Centres; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 51,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP pension plan

Job summary

NorWest Community Health Centres invites applications for Harm Reduction Support Workers at the Thunder Bay site. The roles involve mobile outreach, drug checking, alerting on Lifeguard App, and distributing harm reduction supplies to support people who use drugs and reduce risk behaviours.

Two full-time contract positions (6-month contracts) offer HOOPP Pension Plan eligibility and a salary ranging from 24.756 to 30.945 CAD per hour.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of community services and resources.
• Experience in overdose prevention and response; Naloxone administration.
• Knowledge of substance use, harm reduction, homelessness; lived experience helps.
• Ability to de-escalate conflicts and communicate effectively.
• Maintain professional boundaries and exercise sound judgment.
• Open-minded, non-judgmental, and committed to learning.
• Awareness of health and social needs of underhoused, mentally ill, substance users, newcomers, uninsured individuals.

Responsibilities

• Provide mobile outreach services and mobile drug checking.
• Distribute harm reduction supplies and deliver harm reduction education.
• Share drug alerts through the Lifeguard App and collaborate with service users and partners.
• Facilitate referrals to health, social and allied health services.
• Support program activities and other duties as required.

Skills

Advocacy

Naloxone administration

De-escalation

Communication

Tools

Computers

Job description

Harm Reduction Support Worker

2 – 1.0 FTE Contract Positions (6 - Month Contract)

Thunder Bay Site

One of a network of provincial community health centres, the NorWest Community Health Centres is a community based, non-profit organization funded by Ontario Health, emphasizing access to primary health care and prevention programs and services.

We are currently seeking two (2) full-time contract Harm Reduction Support Workers to support a peer-led approach that strengthens the capacity of individuals who use drugs and share drug-use equipment to reduce risk‑taking behaviours. The Harm Reduction Support Worker will provide mobile outreach services, mobile drug checking, drug alerts through the Lifeguard App, harm reduction education, and the distribution of harm reduction supplies. The successful candidate will effectively engage and collaborate with service users, interdisciplinary team members, and community partners to facilitate referrals and access to health, social, and allied health services. Other related duties may be assigned as required in support of program.

The position has a competitive salary, and the opportunity to participate in the Health Care of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).

The pay range for this position is $24.756 to $30.945 per hour. Compensation will commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.

We do not use AI to screen resumes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of community services and resources, with strong advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated experience in overdose prevention and response, including training and experience in Naloxone administration.
• Knowledge of and experience in substance use, harm reduction, and homelessness. Lived experience is considered an asset.
• Experience applying harm reduction principles and strategies in a community setting.
• Demonstrated ability to de‑escalate conflict, manage challenging situations, and communicate effectively.
• Proven ability to maintain professional boundaries and exercise sound judgment.
• Open-minded, non-judgmental, and committed to continuous learning.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the health and social needs of individuals facing barriers to accessing care, including those who are underhoused, living with mental health challenges, experiencing current or past substance use, managing complex health conditions, identifying as 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomers, and uninsured individuals.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and common software applications.
• Access to a reliable vehicle and possession of a valid driver's license are required.

NorWest Community Health Centres is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free workplace. We provide accommodation throughout all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.