Harm Reduction Specialist

Boulder County Sheriff's Office

Colorado

On-site

USD 64,000 - 92,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Dental & Vision coverage

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

PERA 401k

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Boulder County Public Health Department is seeking a Harm Reduction Specialist for the Works Program. This role delivers syringe access services, rapid HIV and hepatitis C testing, and comprehensive harm reduction education, including naloxone-based overdose prevention, safer use supplies, and fentanyl test strips.

The position is term-limited with standard hours, located in Boulder County, CO. Requires residency in Colorado and successful background check.

Qualifications

Minimum of 6 years combined education and experience in or a related field.
Five years of combined education and experience in harm reduction, HIV/Hepatitis C prevention.
Some supervisory and trainer experience is preferred.
Bilingual in Spanish and English is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides syringe access, safer use education, wound care, and drug checking supplies.
Offers HIV/Hepatitis C testing and referrals to treatment and social services.
Conducts overdose prevention training for participants and the public.
Leads outreach and coordinates with community partners.
Maintains program records and supports data reporting.

Skills

Motivational interviewing

Safer use guidance

De-escalation

Data collection

Inventory management

Electronic data systems

Tools

Tablet-based tools

Job description

Boulder County Public Health Department is seeking to hire a Harm Reduction Specialist. The Harm Reduction Specialist in Boulder County Public Health’s Works Program delivers syringe access services, rapid HIV and hepatitis C testing, and comprehensive harm reduction education, including naloxone-based overdose prevention. Additional harm reduction activities include safer use supply distribution, fentanyl test strip access, wound care support, referrals to treatment and social services, and substance use risk reduction counseling. These services aim to reduce HIV and viral hepatitis transmission and prevent overdose deaths among people who use drugs and their support networks.

Location

Boulder County, CO
Primary site: BCPH Longmont site (St. Vrain Hub, 515 Coffman St., Longmont).

Contract

Term – Term limited position with anticipated ending date of 10/25/2028. Work hours Monday–Friday: 8:00am–4:30pm or 8:30am–5:00pm. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is exempt.

Salary

$63,828.00 - $91,944.00 Annually (Hiring Salary Range $63,828.00–$77,886.00 Annually)

Job Information

Job Number: 6924(PS2)
Department: Public Health
Division: PHD Comm Disease Emer Mgmt
Opening Date: 10/26/2026
Closing Date: 11/8/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt

Eligibility

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

Background Check & Fingerprinting

A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation with fingerprinting.

Driver’s License & Reliable Vehicle

Applicants must have a valid driver's license, a good driving record, and current automobile insurance.
Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing; adequate automobile insurance; and access to reliable transportation that is readily available for business use.

Qualifications

Minimum of 6 years of combined education and experience in or a related field.

Preferred Education/Experience Qualifications

A minimum of five years of combined relevant education and experience in delivering harm reduction, HIV/hepatitis C prevention, and other relevant public health services. Some supervisory and trainer experience is required.
Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Knowledge

Knowledge of the relationship between social stress, trauma, and addiction and how these factors influence substance use.
Understanding of harm reduction principles and their application in client-centered service delivery.
Knowledge of confidentiality standards and best practices for safeguarding client and program information.

Skills

Skill in applying motivational interviewing techniques to support behavior change.
Skill in professionally discussing safer substance use practices and providing accurate drug-related information.
Skill in de-escalation and in effectively engaging individuals who may be angry, resistant, or intoxicated.
Skill in accurate, timely data collection, documentation, and record keeping.
Skill in organizing and managing program supplies, including receiving, tracking, and maintaining inventory.
Skill in using electronic data systems, computers, and tablet-based tools to complete program tasks.

Abilities

Ability to work respectfully and effectively with clients and families in crisis and from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to maintain a nonjudgmental, empathetic approach when working with people who use substances.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team.
Ability to contribute to both group and one on one service environments.
Ability to learn and adapt to new software systems and data tools.

Responsibilities

Provides syringe access including safer use, wound care and drug checking supplies, harm reduction education, navigation services and referrals, and HIV/Hepatitis C and other STI testing and education services to participants of the Works Program at program fixed sites and during street and community outreach, including the jail.
Provides clinical oversight, quality assurance and staff training for HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis rapid testing service.
Organizes and leads the Boulder County Regional Advisory Testing committee.
Conducts overdose prevention training and education for program participants, professionals and the public.
Conducts weekly street/community outreach with team members and community partners at locations within Boulder and Longmont, and other locations as needed.
Assists with the development of guidance manuals, policies and procedures and standard operating procedures for current and new programming.
Assists with MOUs, contracts and grants as needed.
Assists with receiving, moving and storing program supplies.
Monitors and stocks harm reduction vending machines.
Assists with outreach safer use kit making and preparing program supplies for distribution.
Assesses programming materials, including presentations, for harm reduction best practices.
Establishes and maintains ongoing relationships with key stakeholders to support program efforts and maintains a network of resources for participant referrals.
Participates in local, regional, state, and national meetings, as required.
Maintains client confidentiality.
Accurately tracks service activities using program tools and databases, and compiles data reports.
Assists with data entry, report writing, and other projects as assigned.
May be reassigned during emergency responses (e.g. disease outbreaks, floods, wildfires, etc.).

Benefits

Outstanding options of comprehensive health plans that include vision and dental coverage.
Additional Benefits include
- Family-forming benefits – infertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy reimbursements
- 12 weeks Paid Caregiver leave
- Breast feeding friendly-work environment
- Infants-at-work policy
- Access to LifeMart and Benefits Hub discount hub, including discounts on childcare centers, event tickets, travel and more!
- Access to a nationally-recognized wellness program
- Employee Assistance Program
- PERA 401k
- Social Security retirement plans
- Additional Life and Disability Insurance
- Critical Illness and Accidental Insurance
- County-paid tuition assistance
- Eligible for PSLF – Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Free EcoPass
- Hospital Indemnity
- ID Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- 8 Hours of Paid Public Service Leave
Generous paid time off
- Holidays
  - New Year's Day
  - Martin Luther King’s Birthday January
  - Presidents’ Day
  - Memorial Day
  - Juneteenth
  - Independence Day
  - Labor Day
  - Indigenous People’s Day
  - General Election Day November (first Tuesday after the first Monday, even years)
  - Veterans’ Day
  - Thanksgiving Day November
  - Friday after Thanksgiving*
  - Christmas Eve – ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
  - Christmas Day
  - New Year’s Eve – ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
- Vacation**
  - 80‑hour bank of vacation at the time of hire
  - Eight hours of vacation per month for the first year of continuous service, then accrue twelve hours of vacation per month after the first year of continuous service.
- Medical**
  - Eight hours of medical leave for each month employed.
- PERA – The County and all employees pay into both Social Security and PERA
Equity and Inclusion
Boulder County is a workplace dedicated to supporting individuals and families of all types and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio‑economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Contact
Employer: Boulder County
Address: 2025 14th Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302
Phone: 303-441-3525
Website: http://www.bouldercounty.org