Youth Harm Reduction Worker

Development Corp; Muncey; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Employer-pension plan

EAP access

Holiday closure

Job summary

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation invites applications for the Youth Harm Reduction Outreach Worker position at the Chippewa Health Centre in Muncey, ON. The role emphasizes First Nation cultural components and harm reduction principles while delivering education, referrals, and support to individuals in homes and on the street.

The worker will engage with vulnerable populations, transport materials, and collaborate with community partners to promote health and wellness; immunization, crisis

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level or equivalent education in addictions or human services is preferred.
• Strong communication and presentation skills are required.
• Experience with counseling, crisis intervention and working with marginalized populations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Incorporate First Nation cultural components and Ojibway language into programming.
• Provide harm reduction materials and supplies to injection drug use populations.
• Handle and transport syringes and dispose of bio-hazardous materials per policies.
• Provide educational materials on harm reduction, HIV, HCV and blood-borne illnesses.
• Support health promotion, referrals, and access to traditional healing resources.
• Assist individuals affected by drug use, sex trade, and homelessness; advocate as needed.
• Respond to calls and schedule delivery services.
• Develop and deliver HIV/AIDS education and harm reduction programming.
• Monitor outreach data and identify issues to inform strategies.
• Maintain relationships with community partners and strengthen collaborations.
• Train staff and volunteers on syringe exchange protocols.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Presentation

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Conflict resolution

Computer skills

Education

Addictions or Human Services field

Job description

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation is accepting applicants for the position of:

YouthHarm Reduction Outreach Worker

Department: Health Department

Hours of Work: 37.5 hoursper week, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; flexible to work evenings, weekends and travel asrequired.

Location: Chippewa Health Centre, 322 Chippewa Road, Muncey ON

Posting Date: August 18, 2026

Posting Closes: September 7, 2026

Summary

TheYouthHarm Reduction Outreach Worker provides community-based outreach services to individuals in their homes and on the street to increase the use of harm reduction materials,skillsand strategies, helping reduce the risk of transmission of HIV,HCVand other blood borne illnesses. The role incorporates First Nationculturalcomponents, including the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework Healing model, as well as Ojibway Language and Culture into programming and service delivery while supporting individuals through education, referrals, advocacy, communitypartnershipsand access toculturalresources.

Responsibilities

• Incorporate First Nation cultural components, including the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework Healing model, Ojibway Language and Culture into programming and service delivery.
• Provide harm reduction materials and supplies to the injection drug use population through consistent delivery and pickup services.
• Handle and transport used syringes and properly dispose of bio-hazardous materialsin accordance withCOTTFN policies and procedures.
• Provide educational materials and information on harm reduction, HIV,HCVand other blood borne illnesses.
• Provide support, information and referrals related to health promotion, community resources, traditional healers,ceremoniesand medicines.
• Support individuals affected by or at risk of drug use, sex trade and homelessness, and advocate forclientsas necessary.
• Respond to calls and prioritize and schedule delivery services requested by clients.
• Develop and deliver prevention, harm reduction and HIV/AIDS education presentations and programming to target populations and community members.
• Monitor statistical information on outreach contacts toidentifycurrent issues and develop strategies to address them.
• Maintain positive relationships with community partner agencies, liaise withappropriate communityresourcesand strengthen community partnerships.
• Train staff and volunteers on syringe exchange protocol and promote the use of Harm Reduction Services through the Health Centre.
• Ensure statistical data entry isaccurateand current, provide activity reports, and develop outreach program work plans,goalsandobjectives.
• Promote cultural resources available locally and regionally, as well as outreach activities toappropriate sources.

Qualifications

• Education in the Addictions or Human Services field.
• Three (3) years of experience working in Human Services, preferably in the field of Harm Reduction and addiction.
• Proven work experience with mental illness, including psychodynamic theory and trauma counseling, and experience with crisis intervention.
• Experience working with marginalized populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and respect for the First Nations’ way of life, with an in-depth understanding of Harm Reduction, HIV/AIDS, mental health, addiction, sexualhealthand related barriers First Nations communities may face.
• Working knowledge and proven experience with counseling techniques and an understanding of Social Assistance programs including ODSP, OW, RGI and Housing.
• Possess a valid driver’s licence,insuranceand reliable vehicle, with the ability to travel and attend offsite meetings asrequired.
• Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check (Level III) and ability tomaintaina clean record for the duration of employment; First Aid/CPR certificationrequired.
• Must have complete, up-to-date immunization records, including 3 full doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills; strong interpersonal, organizational, time management, conflictresolutionand computer skills, with the ability tomaintainconfidentiality and work independently or as part of a team.

What Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Has to Offer:

• Comprehensive benefits for permanent employees, supporting health, dental, and overall well-being.
• Employer-matched pension plan to help build long-term financial security.
• Access to a confidential Family Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support mental, emotional, and family wellness.
• Two-week holiday closure over Christmas and New Year’s, providing dedicated time to rest and recharge with family and community.

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation gives hiring preference to qualified Indigenous applicants, with firstpreferencegiven to qualified Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Band Members. Applicants who wish to be considered under this preference are encouraged to self-identifyin their application.

We thank all candidates for applying;howeveronly those selected for an interview will be contacted. Accommodations are available on request(by email to [e-mail])for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

As a federally regulated employer, Chippewas of the Thames First Nationis not required toinclude compensation ranges in job postings. Depending on the nature ofthe recruitmentand the position, we may choose to share salary or pay band information in the posting or during theearly stagesof the process.Compensation is always discussed with candidates during recruitment to ensure clarity and alignment with their expectations and experience.