HARM REDUCTION WORKER – SUBSTANCE USE & MENTAL HEALTH

Alliance for Healthier Communities; Toronto; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization in Toronto is seeking a Harm Reduction Worker to support substance use and mental health initiatives. The role includes interacting with service users, distributing harm reduction materials, and providing education resources. Ideal candidates should possess knowledge of harm reduction practices and have strong communication skills. The position offers benefits including a pension plan and health coverage.

Benefits

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Health and dental benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid time off (vacation, sick and personal days)

Qualifications

• Lived experience of drug use and/or sex work is an asset.
• Lived experience of homelessness is considered an asset.
• Police clearance documentation is required.
• Proof of double COVID-19 vaccination status is required.

Responsibilities

• Creates a welcoming environment for service users.
• Distributes harm reduction supplies.
• Completes data entry and documentation.
• Participates in program evaluation.

Skills

Knowledge of harm reduction practice and strategies

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Ability to prevent and de-escalate conflicts

Knowledge of community services and resources

Proficient in using computer technology

Open to feedback

Education

Completion of peer training program

Naloxone training

Job description

HARM REDUCTION WORKER – SUBSTANCE USE & MENTAL HEALTH

• HARM REDUCTION WORKER – SUBSTANCE USE & MENTAL HEALTH

South Riverdale Community Health Centre is a non-profit, multi-service organization that provides primary healthcare, social and community outreach services with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention primarily to people of East Toronto. Our mission is to improve the lives of people that face barriers to physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being. We do so by meaningfully engaging our clients and communities, ensuring equitable access to primary health care and delivering quality care through a range of evidence informed programs, services and approaches. As a leader in community health, our locally and internationally recognized community services include cutting-edge primary health services, health promotion, harm reduction, environmental health, community food centre and population-based community programs for marginalized peoples. We value health equity and inclusion and respect in our work and in the delivery of our services.

Working primarily at the Fixed-Site office, the Harm Reduction Worker will interact with service users, distribute harm reduction materials, safely dispose of returned sharps, provide education, resources, information and referrals, and complete up-to-date data entry.This position is expected to work onsite.

Responsibilities:

• Creates a welcoming environment for service users and visitors
• Distributes harm reduction supplies and completes required documentation
• Safely disposes of returned sharps and completes required documentation
• Completes daily community needle sweeps and completes required documentation
• Stocks and organizes harm reduction supplies in the fixed-site and other program and outreach areas
• Provides information and referrals to services, programs and workers
• Enters data into the computer program
• Provides on-going communication with other team members and Program Managers
• Attends training as required
• Prepares for and participates in meetings
• Maintains a clean and organized fixed-site and work space
• Completes required shift notes and participates in daily debriefing
• Completes SRCHC electronic time sheets documenting work hours
• Applies intervention/diffusing/de-escalation/resolution techniques, to respond to service users in distress or in conflict with others
• Ensures all clients entering the facility follow the center’s expectations and policies
• Assists with and supports phone and bathroom access for service users
• Participates in program evaluation
• Works flexible hours including evenings and weekends as required
• Lived experience of drug use and/or sex work
• Drug and sex positive
• Lived experience of homelessness considered an asset
• Completion of a peer training program considered an asset
• Naloxone training considered an asset
• Knowledge of harm reduction practice and strategies
• Knowledge of and experience providing peer-to-peer support
• Knowledge of community services and resources
• Experience with overdose response
• Ability to prevent and de-escalate conflicts, and confidence in asserting and maintaining strong boundaries
• Proficiency in the use of computer technology and various software applications
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to actively and accurately listen
• Open to feedback
• Good interpersonal skills, non-judgmental and willing to learn
• Respect for diversity, equity, anti-racism and accessibility with the ability to work collaboratively and positively with others
• Ability to work well with others and function as a member of a team, collaboratively working in a team setting
• Respect diversity including sexual orientation, gender, race, ability, drug use and sex work
• Does not use homophobic, trans-phobic, sexist or racist language, or language demeaning to drug users and/or sex workers
• Police clearance documentation will be required for employment
• Proof of double COVID-19 vaccination status will be required for employment

Benefits include:

• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• Health and dental benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid time off (vacation, sick and personal days)

Location

Toronto , ON

How to apply:

The deadline for applicants is Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Please mail in your cover letter and resume in confidence to:The Hiring Committee – HRW SUMHSouth Riverdale Community Health Centre955 Queen Street EastToronto, ON M4M 3P3

No faxes, phone calls, or requests to meet please.This is a bargaining unit position with CUPE Local 5399.

SRCHC welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

SRCHC is an equal opportunity employer. We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SRCHC encourages applicants who are racialized (IBPOC) and/or applicants who face any barriers as a result of systemic discrimination to apply for this position.

SRCHC encourages a scent-free environment. Employees, students, volunteers, and visitors are asked to refrain from wearing fragrances and other scented personal care products (i.e. perfumes, deodorants, lotions, hairspray, etc.) while at the Centre.