Harm Reduction Specialist
Jefferson County, Colorado, Lakewood, CO, United States
Harm Reduction Specialist
Job Posting Closes at 11:59 PM on 04/19/26.
Position Overview The Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH)
Harm Reduction Specialist
is responsible for administering non‑clinical testing and resources to support participants in decreasing the risks associated with contracting HIV, Hepatitis C, and other STIs. The role also includes collecting data and promoting a broad range of low‑barrier, trauma‑informed harm reduction services that support people who use drugs, including syringe services, education, street outreach, and other resources to mitigate harms associated with drug use.
This position provides the opportunity to work within a county that thrives on collaborative, solution‑focused work. Jefferson County Public Health Department is committed to employment in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and to a culture of humility, inclusivity, and respect.
Schedule Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week. Requires regular on‑site/in‑office work; one day per week may work from home after training. The role also requires a day per week conducting street outreach in varied weather conditions.
Compensation Hiring Range: $23.00 – $24.00 USD per hour. Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills.
Benefits Eligible for Standard Benefits, including dental, medical, and vision insurance; paid time off and holidays (starting 40 hours PTO for new hires); retirement matching; wellness programs; tuition reimbursement; and more.
Essential Duties
Provide direct service delivery using a person‑centered and harm‑reduction approach to participants accessing syringe services. Assess participants to help meet immediate basic needs and make appropriate referrals to health and support services.
Exchange used syringes and drug injection equipment for safe drug‑use and safer‑sex supplies.
Perform HIV/HCV/STI counseling services using motivational interviewing to educate individuals on prevention methods.
Refer participants for additional testing services and resources as indicated.
Administer appropriate testing for HIV/HCV/STIs at the fixed site and outreach locations.
Provide accurate counseling for positive or negative HIV/HCV/STI test results, including linkage to care or suitable prevention services.
Educate participants and community members on overdose prevention strategies; distribute naloxone and other overdose‑prevention supplies.
Serve within a street outreach team to expand program services and resources to those experiencing homelessness.
Offer information and referrals to community resources such as medical services, medication‑assisted treatment options, mental health services, food bank, and housing resources.
Assist with programmatic support such as prepping and packaging of supplies, inventory management, and stocking.
Participate in harm‑reduction team meetings; contribute to programming development, evaluation, and quality improvement.
Participate in agency‑level, state, local, or community‑based workgroups, committees, and meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or GED.
2 years of relevant work‑related or volunteer experience.
No required certifications or licenses.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Associate or bachelor’s degree in arts, science, or applied science.
Experience in sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention/testing, harm reduction related to drug use, counseling, street outreach, health education, or resource navigation.
Experience with data collection and analysis.
Lived or living experience with drug use (considered a plus).
Interest or experience in providing peer support services.
Fluency in Spanish highly preferred.
Strong leadership and mentorship skills.
Independent critical thinking and analysis.
Demonstrated initiative, innovation, and resiliency.
Effective communication with diverse program participants.
Experience with Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365.
Ability to work well with diverse personalities.
Calm demeanor and ability to de‑escalate conflict when working with people in crisis.
Ability to accurately compile, format, and file electronic data.
Additional Job Information
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CHPHE) Standards of HIV Prevention Services require HIV testing and counseling trainings within six months of hire.
CHPHE requiring syringe access trainings within six months of hire.
CHPHE requiring outreach trainings within one year of hire.
Offer of employment contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and references.
Valid Colorado driver’s license required for driving on County Business within 30 days of hire or for those who begin to drive on County Business early.
Accommodations Statement We encourage people with disabilities to apply and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout our hiring process. For assistance with applications, interviews, or other hiring‑related accommodations, contact careertalent@jeffco.us. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot provide application status updates.
Application Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. All applicants must submit an online employment application by 11:59 PM on the posted cut‑off date. Follow this link to apply now: Jefferson County Colorado Career Opportunities.
A resume and cover letter are encouraged but not required.
Current Jefferson County employees must apply through their employee profile in Workday.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Applications are reviewed for minimum qualifications. Selected applicants will be contacted directly by the hiring team. To view the status of your application, log into your candidate portal.
For more details on the recruitment process, visit: https://www.jeffco.us/1860/FAQs.
Questions? Contact the Jefferson County Recruitment Team at 303-271-8420 or CareerTalent@Jeffco.us.
Education, Experience, Certifications, Languages, Category Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Experience: Minimum two years of relevant experience. Certifications: None required. Languages: Spanish preferred. Category: Health & Human Services.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Position Overview The Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH)
Harm Reduction Specialist
is responsible for administering non‑clinical testing and resources to support participants in decreasing the risks associated with contracting HIV, Hepatitis C, and other STIs. The role also includes collecting data and promoting a broad range of low‑barrier, trauma‑informed harm reduction services that support people who use drugs, including syringe services, education, street outreach, and other resources to mitigate harms associated with drug use.
This position provides the opportunity to work within a county that thrives on collaborative, solution‑focused work. Jefferson County Public Health Department is committed to employment in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and to a culture of humility, inclusivity, and respect.
Schedule Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week. Requires regular on‑site/in‑office work; one day per week may work from home after training. The role also requires a day per week conducting street outreach in varied weather conditions.
Compensation Hiring Range: $23.00 – $24.00 USD per hour. Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills.
Benefits Eligible for Standard Benefits, including dental, medical, and vision insurance; paid time off and holidays (starting 40 hours PTO for new hires); retirement matching; wellness programs; tuition reimbursement; and more.
Essential Duties
Provide direct service delivery using a person‑centered and harm‑reduction approach to participants accessing syringe services. Assess participants to help meet immediate basic needs and make appropriate referrals to health and support services.
Exchange used syringes and drug injection equipment for safe drug‑use and safer‑sex supplies.
Perform HIV/HCV/STI counseling services using motivational interviewing to educate individuals on prevention methods.
Refer participants for additional testing services and resources as indicated.
Administer appropriate testing for HIV/HCV/STIs at the fixed site and outreach locations.
Provide accurate counseling for positive or negative HIV/HCV/STI test results, including linkage to care or suitable prevention services.
Educate participants and community members on overdose prevention strategies; distribute naloxone and other overdose‑prevention supplies.
Serve within a street outreach team to expand program services and resources to those experiencing homelessness.
Offer information and referrals to community resources such as medical services, medication‑assisted treatment options, mental health services, food bank, and housing resources.
Assist with programmatic support such as prepping and packaging of supplies, inventory management, and stocking.
Participate in harm‑reduction team meetings; contribute to programming development, evaluation, and quality improvement.
Participate in agency‑level, state, local, or community‑based workgroups, committees, and meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or GED.
2 years of relevant work‑related or volunteer experience.
No required certifications or licenses.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Associate or bachelor’s degree in arts, science, or applied science.
Experience in sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention/testing, harm reduction related to drug use, counseling, street outreach, health education, or resource navigation.
Experience with data collection and analysis.
Lived or living experience with drug use (considered a plus).
Interest or experience in providing peer support services.
Fluency in Spanish highly preferred.
Strong leadership and mentorship skills.
Independent critical thinking and analysis.
Demonstrated initiative, innovation, and resiliency.
Effective communication with diverse program participants.
Experience with Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365.
Ability to work well with diverse personalities.
Calm demeanor and ability to de‑escalate conflict when working with people in crisis.
Ability to accurately compile, format, and file electronic data.
Additional Job Information
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CHPHE) Standards of HIV Prevention Services require HIV testing and counseling trainings within six months of hire.
CHPHE requiring syringe access trainings within six months of hire.
CHPHE requiring outreach trainings within one year of hire.
Offer of employment contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and references.
Valid Colorado driver’s license required for driving on County Business within 30 days of hire or for those who begin to drive on County Business early.
Accommodations Statement We encourage people with disabilities to apply and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout our hiring process. For assistance with applications, interviews, or other hiring‑related accommodations, contact careertalent@jeffco.us. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot provide application status updates.
Application Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. All applicants must submit an online employment application by 11:59 PM on the posted cut‑off date. Follow this link to apply now: Jefferson County Colorado Career Opportunities.
A resume and cover letter are encouraged but not required.
Current Jefferson County employees must apply through their employee profile in Workday.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Applications are reviewed for minimum qualifications. Selected applicants will be contacted directly by the hiring team. To view the status of your application, log into your candidate portal.
For more details on the recruitment process, visit: https://www.jeffco.us/1860/FAQs.
Questions? Contact the Jefferson County Recruitment Team at 303-271-8420 or CareerTalent@Jeffco.us.
Education, Experience, Certifications, Languages, Category Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Experience: Minimum two years of relevant experience. Certifications: None required. Languages: Spanish preferred. Category: Health & Human Services.
#J-18808-Ljbffr