Harm Reduction Specialist

Boulder County; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 64,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Pension contributions

Comprehensive health plans

Generous vacation & leave

Job summary

Boulder County Public Health Department seeks a Harm Reduction Specialist to deliver syringe access, rapid HIV/HCV testing, and harm reduction education through the Works Program. The role focuses on reducing transmission, overdose risk, and connecting participants to services across Boulder County.

Based at the Longmont site with outreach countywide, it requires strong data reporting and collaboration with partners. Exempt FLSA and a background check are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of combined education and experience in a related field.
• Experience delivering harm reduction and HIV/hepatitis prevention services preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide syringe access, harm reduction education, and rapid HIV/HCV testing.
• Offer outreach services, referrals, and linkages to treatment and social services.
• Maintain client confidentiality and accurate service data in program tools.

Skills

Motivational interviewing

De-escalation

Data collection & reporting

Community outreach

Client confidentiality

Education

6 years of combined education and experience

Tools

Electronic data systems

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. This position primarily operates from the BCPH Longmont site (St. Vrain Hub, 515 Coffman St., Longmont) and delivers services throughout Boulder County.

This is a term limited position with an anticipated ending date of 10/25/2028. Work hours are Monday- Friday: 8:00am- 4:30pm or 8:30am-5:00pm. This position will work out of 515 Coffman St. Longmont, Colorado. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is exempt.

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

Hiring Salary Range

$63,828.00-$77,886.00 Annually

Tentative Hiring Timeline

• Phone Screening: Week of November 9th
• First Round Interviews: Week of November 9th
• Reference Check: Week of November 16th

New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month (Must not have been employed at Boulder County during the 12 months prior to re-hire date to qualify). Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions.

Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information.

Examples of Duties

• 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.).

Education & Experience

Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of

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

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

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

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.

Benefits

• Outstanding options of comprehensive health plans that include vision and dental coverage. Information can be found HERE.
• 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
  • Employer contribution to Social Security: 7.65% of salary
  • Employer contribution to PERA (Local Government Division- most county employees: 15.80%
  • The District Attorney’s Office observe Francis Xavier Cabrini Day on the first Monday in October and omit the Friday after Thanksgiving
  • Vacation and Medical leave are based off of full time FTE accruals. Part-time FTE/term employees accrue leave based on the percentage of time they work.