Southside Harm Reduction Services Deliveries Specialist Minneapolis, MN · Part time Company website

Apply for Deliveries Specialist

As Minnesota's leading harm reduction organization, we're dedicated to improving the health and autonomy of individuals who use drugs. Our approach is centered in understanding and respecting the needs of our community, aiming to increase access to essential and supportive services, reducing overdose deaths, improving the health and wellbeing of the communities we are a part of, and affirming the dignity of all people who use drugs and people experiencing homelessness.

The Deliveries Specialist provides mobile harm reduction services with a focus on reducing overdose and increasing access to harm reduction resources for people who use drugs, particularly in North Minneapolis and among African American participants throughout Minneapolis. The Deliveries Program advances SHRS’s commitment to meeting people where they are by responding directly to participant requests and bringing them supplies, information and support.

The Deliveries Specialist builds and maintains respectful, trusting relationships with participants and approaches each interaction with curiosity, compassion, and respect for participant autonomy. The role actively seeks participant input, questions, and concerns to ensure that services remain responsive to community needs. The Specialist will maintain current knowledge of harm reduction practices, the local drug supply, and emerging patterns of drug use and overdose risk. By providing people with supplies, information, and the support needed to make informed decisions, the Deliveries Specialist supports participants’ ability to care for themselves and others. Through these efforts, the program contributes to reducing overdose, strengthening connections with participants and communities, and advances health equity across Minneapolis. 

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Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Mobile Distribution of Harm Reduction Supplies

Provide timely, responsive, and accessible delivery of harm reduction supplies based on participant needs, requests, and availability.

• Communicate with participants about supply needs, delivery logistics, and changes to plans.
• Prepare and maintain harm reduction supplies in the SHRS van and/or prepacked delivery bags.
• Maintain accurate inventory of supplies and complete required program data collection and documentation.
• Understand the purpose and appropriate use of harm reduction supplies in order to provide accurate information to participants.
• Safely and reliably transport and deliver supplies to participants using a personal vehicle or SHRS vehicle.
• Identify gaps in participant access to supplies and communicate emerging needs to the Deliveries Program team.

Harm Reduction Education and Connection to Services

Provide participants with current, evidence-based harm reduction information and support connections to services that meet their individual needs and goals.

• Maintain current knowledge of harm reduction practices, overdose prevention, drug use trends, and changes in the local drug supply.
• Share relevant harm reduction information and education in ways that are accessible, respectful, and responsive to participants’ questions and experiences.
• Actively invite participants to ask questions, share concerns, and provide feedback about their needs and experiences.
• Maintain knowledge of SHRS and partner programs and services and appropriately connect participants to available resources.

Participant Relationships and Communication

Build and maintain trusting, respectful relationships with participants through consistent, responsive, and nonjudgmental communication.

• Communicate with participants in a respectful, affirming, and non-stigmatizing manner across text, phone, and in-person interactions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with participants while respecting individual boundaries, privacy, autonomy, and confidentiality.
• Respond to participant requests, questions, and concerns in a timely and supportive manner.

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Qualifications/Skills

• Harm Reduction Expertise: Deep understanding of harm reduction principles, drug use mechanics, and overdose prevention strategies, including the ability to provide education and discuss sex and drug use frankly.
• Community & Cultural Fluency: Strong connection to the populations served, including an awareness of Twin Cities drug trends and the ability to navigate local, culturally appropriate services.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately over text, phone and in person. Experience with de-escalation and non-stigmatizing language. 
• Safe Driving and Routing: Competence in safe driving practices, able to route and estimate travel times, strong knowledge of local roads.  
• Self-Direction and Responsibility: Ability to work independently, maintain multi-directional accountability, and proactively identify and seek solutions for issues or gaps in operations and programming.
• Technical Proficiency: Ability to learn and easily use apps like Grasshopper, MileIQ, Microsoft and Google Suite

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Requirements

• 2-3 years experience working (professionally or otherwise) in harm reduction 
• Valid drivers license and insurance and a clean or reasonable driving record
• Comfortable driving a large cargo van (Ram Promaster 2500) 
• Scheduling availability for weekday early evenings, other times as needed 
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds 
• Eligible to work in the United States with 2 valid forms of ID

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Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive paid time off 
• 401k with employer matching contributions
• Opportunities for professional development 
• Work phone provided for Southside business 
• Opportunities for professional development

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Other Information 

This is a part-time position, expected to work 15-20 hours per week. This position will need to work some or all of the following schedule; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in the afternoon/early evening. We are currently hiring for *two* of these positions!

This position is a part of the Mobile Services team and works with the Deliveries Lead and other Deliveries Specialist. This position reports to the Mobile Services Program Manager. 

This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding.

This role is represented by SEIU Healthcare MN & IA. We are currently negotiating our first collective bargaining agreement. Once finalized, this contract will determine your long-term compensation and benefits, which may differ from your initial starting offer. 

Application timeline: Priority deadline for applications is Monday, September 14th, 2026. We will continue accepting applications on a rolling basis after this deadline, but priority will be given to applications submitted before the Priority deadline. 

We strongly encourage and prioritize applications from people with lived experience of drug use, people living with HIV or hepatitis, people with histories of sex work or incarceration, and people of color.