Southside Harm Reduction Services Harm Reduction Educator Minneapolis, MN · Full time Company website

Apply for Harm Reduction Educator

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 Harm Reduction Educator's primary role is developing and delivering accessible, participant-centered harm reduction education. This will include a structured incentivized harm reduction class, regular naloxone and overdose response trainings, and quarterly education campaigns for participants. This role also leads community and partner-facing trainings for partner organizations and convenes an internal staff working group to ensure SHRS's harm reduction education materials remain current, evidence-based, and grounded in the lived experiences of the people we serve.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Duties may change based on programming and organizational needs.

Participant Harm Reduction Education & Training

• Design and facilitate a structured, incentivized harm reduction class for participants, including curriculum development, scheduling, incentive coordination, and ongoing refinement based on participant feedback.
• Deliver and maintain overdose response and other harm reduction trainings for SHRS participants
• Work with team members to plan and support the implementation of quarterly all program education campaigns
• Collaborate with program staff and organization partners to integrate education opportunities into existing participant-facing services.
• Track participant engagement and outcomes related to education programming and contribute to relevant grant reporting.

Community & Partner Harm Reduction Trainings

• Design, update, and deliver engaging overdose response, general harm reduction, and other trainings for community members, partner organizations, and local businesses across the Twin Cities.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, employers, and other organizations to establish and sustain training opportunities.
• Adapt training content and format to meet the needs of diverse audiences, including workplace settings, shelters, schools, and other organizations.
• Track training data including participants reached, organizations served, and contribute to related grant reporting.

Harm Reduction Education Materials

• Convene and facilitate an internal staff working group dedicated to regularly reviewing, updating, and developing SHRS harm reduction education content.
• Review existing SHRS harm reduction education materials and identify gaps, outdated content, and opportunities for improvement.
• Create new participant-facing harm reduction education materials as needed, including written materials, visual resources, and other formats appropriate for SHRS participants.
• Ensure all education materials reflect current evidence, harm reduction best practices, and the priorities and feedback of participants and staff.
• Ensure participant-facing education is accessible, non-judgmental, and grounded in harm reduction principles and the lived experiences of people who use drugs.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the practical application of harm reduction, as well as trauma-informed and person-centered approaches to education and training.
• Proficiency with stigmatizing and de-stigmatizing language as it relates to drug use and sex work.
• Demonstrable understanding of the populations and cultures served by SHRS.
• Experience in training facilitation, adult education, or community health education.
• Ability to develop and adapt curriculum and educational materials for diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Efficiency and attention to detail, particularly in data tracking and reporting.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and interact respectfully with participants, volunteers, and community partners.
• Understanding of overdose prevention and response, including the administration of nasal and intramuscular naloxone.
• Experience in graphic design, visual literacy, and tools such as Canva, adobe Indesign, Illustrator, or other related programs

Requirements

• Eligible to work in the U.S. with 2 valid forms of ID.
• Valid driver's license, vehicle, and insurance, or other reliable transportation.
• Flexibility for occasional evening and weekend commitments.
• Remote work capabilities.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Familiarity with or ability to learn apps such as Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and related organizational tools.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive paid time off
• Competitive health plan (medical and dental)
• 401k with matching
• Vacation pay, sick time, floating holidays
• Work cell phone and laptop
• Opportunities for professional development

Additional Information

This position reports to the Program Director. 

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. 

Priority deadline for applications is May 25, 2026. We will continue accepting applications on a rolling basis after this deadline, but priority will be given to applications submitted before 5/25/26.

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.