HEALTH PROMOTION SPECIALIST

City of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Toronto seeks a Health Promotion Specialist to support Harm Reduction and Treatment Services. Reporting to the Manager, you will help develop policies and procedures for opioid agonist treatment, nursing services, and related public health initiatives in Toronto.

The role requires RN licensure, experience in harm reduction, and strong communication as you work with front-line staff, external groups, and the public. Flexible hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent experience related to duties.
• Licensed RN in good standing with Ontario College of Nurses.
• Significant experience in harm reduction, addiction, outreach or homelessness.
• Experience in program planning and continuous quality improvement.
• Experience in development of policies and procedures.
• Strong commitment to harm reduction philosophy.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and consultation to Toronto Public Health front line staff, the Board of Health, external groups and the general public on health issues.
• Assess community needs and analyze information with respect to public health issues.
• Develop, plan, implement and evaluate community-based initiatives using health promotion strategies.
• Collaborate with Public Health program staff in strategic and operational planning.
• Develop and coordinate communication plans and social marketing strategies for programs.
• Plan, develop, implement, coordinate and evaluate programs and services as directed.

Skills

Harm reduction

Policy development

Public health outreach

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Master's degree in Nursing, Health administration, public/community health, or related field

Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario

Experience in harm reduction, addiction, outreach or homelessness

Experience in program planning and quality improvement

Experience in policies and procedures development

Tools

Word Processing

Job description

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Job ID: 67282

Job Category: Health Services

Division & Section: Public Health, Clinical Services

Work Location: 61 Front Street West, Union Station,Toronto, Ontario

Job Type & Duration: Full-time, 1 Temporary (18 month) vacancy

Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $52.38 - $57.39

Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Affiliation: L79 Full-time

Number of Positions Open: 1

Posting Period: 21-Oct-2026 to 04-Nov-2026

Job Summary

Harm Reduction and Treatment Services offers a number of programs and services designed to reduce the harms associated with substance use in Toronto. Programs include an opioid agonist treatment, harm reduction and naloxone distribution, nursing, counselling and support.

Reporting to the Manager, Harm Reduction and Treatment Services, the incumbent will assist Harm Reduction and Treatment Services program in the development of policies and procedures for all opioid agonist treatment, nursing services, including Hepatitis screening, HIV screening, vaccination, overdose response, infection, prevention, control, wound care and other related services. We are looking for a high energy, organized Health Promotion Specialist who is knowledgeable regarding substance use and street nursing.

Major Responsibilities

• Provides expert advice and consultation to Toronto Public Health front line staff, the Board of Health, external groups and the general public on health issues.
• Assesses community needs and analyzes information with respect to public health issues.
• Develops, plans, implements and evaluates community-based initiatives by applying health promotion strategies such as community mobilization, advocacy, healthy public policy and health education.
• Collaborates with Public Health program staff in strategic and operational planning for Public Health programs.
• Analyzes information and provides advice to staff in the review and analysis of programs, projects and new priorities in setting goals and objectives. Drafts and revises related program plans, policies and procedures.
• Develops, implements and evaluates divisional programs and projects.
• Promotes the implementation of municipal, provincial and federal legislation and strategies.
• Develops public health issues-related policy recommendations, e.g. by-laws, legislation for consideration at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.
• Develops and facilitates in-service training, staff orientation and staff development programs. Drafts, revises and/or recommends medical directives, nursing policies and procedures, teaching manuals and resource materials for the public and divisional staff.
• Makes presentations to the public, community and media, and answers inquiries from the public. Liaises with interested external groups.
• Develops and coordinates communication plans and social marketing strategies for programs and services including issues management, media relations and advertising campaigns.
• Plans, develops, implements, coordinates and evaluates programs and services as directed, e.g. Community forum workshops, press conferences, in-house newsletters, media campaigns, Annual Report, press releases.
• Researches and writes reports and correspondence for the division.
• Collaborates on applied public health research and field study.
• Attends workshops, conferences, seminars, etc.

Key Qualifications

• Master's degree in Nursing, Health administration, public/community health, or related field, or an equivalent combination of a baccalaureate degree and considerable experience relevant to the primary duties of the position.
• A licensed Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Considerable experience working in the harm reduction, addiction, outreach and/or homelessness field(s).
• Considerable experience in program planning, and continuous quality improvement.
• Experience in the development of policies and procedures.

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

You must also have

• A strong commitment to harm reduction philosophy and principles and ability to work in a harm reduction environment.
• Knowledge of substance use, addiction, opioid agonist treatment, overdose, clinical services, nursing theories and research process.
• Knowledge of the harm reduction program requirements, protocols and policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of safer drug use techniques.
• Knowledge of all aspects of health protection, health education and health promotion utilizing population health approach.
• Excellent interpersonal/consultation skills and the ability to establish and maintain good working relations with colleagues and community members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Proficiency in using Word Processing and other relevant programs.
• Ability to handle challenging assignments in a high profile professional and political environment.
• Ability to analyze/interpret data to inform decision making.
• Ability to work flexible hours and work locations - evenings, weekends, depending on the needs of the needle exchange program.
• Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity, and respectful workplaces.

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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.