Senior Program Specialist - Opioid Prevention (Hybrid)

Anoka County; Anoka (MN); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days of paid flexible time off

Up to 12.5 paid holidays

Comprehensive insurance (medical, dent

Vision coverage

Pension plan

Advancement/professional development

Job summary

Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services Department is seeking a Senior Program Specialist – Opioid Prevention to plan, develop, implement, and coordinate opioid use disorder and overdose prevention activities, including management of settlement funding and reporting.

The role advances public health initiatives, leads naloxone distribution and harm reduction efforts, coordinates grants and contracts, and supports community trainings and partnerships in a hybrid work environment at

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, behavioral science, social work, or related field.
• Four years of health program planning or project management experience.
• Pass driver’s license background check.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, implement, and coordinate opioid prevention activities.
• Manage opioid settlement funding and reporting.
• Coordinate grants, contracts, and evaluation with partners.
• Lead community trainings and public communications.

Skills

Public health

Project management

Grant management

Data analysis

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public health, behavioral science, social work, or a closely related field

Master’s degree in public health, behavioral science, social work, or a closely related field

Job description

Hiring range: $74,214 to $103,896 annually ($35.68 to $49.95 per hour). Starting rate will depend on experience, education, and qualifications. Advancement opportunities exist for individuals motivated to move up within Anoka County.

Position Description

Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services Department (PHES) is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Program Specialist – Opioid Prevention. The Senior Program Specialist will plan, develop, implement, and coordinate opioid use disorder and opioid overdose prevention activities. This includes the management of opioid settlement funding and reporting.

Commitment to the community shines in the Public Health and Environmental Services (PHES) department. Every day the Health Promotion and Planning team strives to protect the health and safety of the community by working with community partners to create conditions for people to live healthy lives. Join Anoka County and be part of a great team protecting the health of its residents.

The Senior Program Specialist plays a key role in advancing Anoka County’s public health initiatives, particularly those supported by the Opioid Settlement Fund. This position manages complex program operations, oversees grant and RFP processes, coordinates contracts and reporting requirements, and provides ongoing support to funded partners. The role also leads efforts related to naloxone distribution and harm reduction, maintainspublic communications including social media and website content, andfacilitatescommunity trainings, events, and partnerships.

This is a full-time, exempt, hybridposition. Interviews will take place the week of 09/28/2026 for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Pay & Benefits

• Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 34: $74,214 to $103,896 annually ($35.68 to $49.95 per hour).24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more at https://www.anokacountymn.gov/benefits
• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
• Advancement/professional development opportunities.

Work Location

• This position will work at the Anoka County Government Center located at 2100 3rd Avenue, Suite 600, Anoka, MN 55303.
• This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work, with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.
• Expected work hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Senior Program Specialist.

• Oversee operations for complex public health programs, with a primary focus on administration and coordination of the Opioid Settlement Fund.
• Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of policies and procedures for RFPs, grants, and contracts, including coordinating proposal development,facilitatingleadershipand purchasing review, organizing review teams, fielding applicant questions, supporting award processes, and ensuring timely payments.
• Meet regularly with RFP recipients, provide technicalassistance, respond to requests, support reporting needs, andmaintainorganized tracking systems, folders, invoices, and documentation.
• Coordinate public health communications including social media posting,ADA‑compliantimage preparation, website updates, and media activities in partnership with Communications staff. Support strategies to increase social media reach and engagement.
• Lead naloxone program activities includingidentifyingand onboarding new naloxone access point sites, providing ongoing support to existing sites,andcoordinating supply needs.
• Participate in and co‑leadcommittee meetings and leadership groups with internal and external partners.
• Ensure compliance with state, federal, and local rules and regulations related toopioid‑relatedprogramming, grants, contracts, and reporting.
• Establish andmaintainstrategic partnerships to support community health promotion and strengthen prevention, treatment, and recovery networks.
• Manage public outreach and community engagement through coordinated programming, events, and stakeholder communication.
• Facilitate planning committees, contribute to project development, and implement initiatives led by Anoka County.
• Lead data-informed initiatives by managing data collection, analyzing program and community data, and using findings to guide planning and continuous improvement across opioid and community health programs.
• Developquarterly, annual, andprogram‑specificreports,analyze findings, and draft recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Researchevidence‑basedstrategies,identifyservice gaps, and recommend best practices to advance Anoka County’s public health goals.
• Contribute to community health assessment, community health improvement planning, and other departmentstrategicplanning activities as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, behavioral science, social work, or a closely related field.
• Four years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in health program planning and/or project management in a related field.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Successfully pass driver’s license background check.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Master’s degree in public health, behavioral science, social work, or a closely related field.
• Two years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in substance use disorder treatment and/or education focused on prevention.
• Two years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience managing grants, budgets, and/or funding projects.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Standard office environment, travel to various county work sites and meetings as needed.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades and brightness.
• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.
• Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required to perform job responsibilities.
• Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work.
• Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs.
• Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment.
• Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform