Job Description

Union:

Non-Union

Base Location:

Northreach Society Administration Office, Grande Prairie

Employment Type:

Full-Time (Monday - Friday)

Salary:

Commensurate with experience

Application Deadline:

Friday, October 31, 2025

About Northreach Society

Northreach Society is a non-profit organization based in Grande Prairie, Alberta, dedicated to improving health and well-being across Northern Alberta. Our mission is to address the social determinants of health through education, harm reduction, and collaborative community efforts. We provide a wide range of services, including overdose prevention, STBBI testing and support, harm reduction supply distribution, and health promotion programs. Guided by a vision of a safe and inclusive world free from discrimination, Northreach Society works to empower individuals and strengthen communities through innovation, compassion, and respect.

Position Overview

The Harm Reduction Support Worker plays a vital role in promoting health, dignity, and safety among individuals who use substances. Grounded in a harm reduction philosophy, this position focuses on building respectful, non-judgmental relationships with community members and supporting them in accessing safer practices and essential services.

Working within a trauma-informed and client-centered framework, the Harm Reduction Support Worker provides harm reduction supplies, informal education, and service navigation. The role involves outreach, engagement, and advocacy to reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes. This position is essential in connecting individuals to appropriate health, housing, and social support while respecting their autonomy and lived experiences. This role requires compassion, adaptability, and a strong commitment to equity and public health. The Harm Reduction Support Worker is a frontline ambassador of the organization's mission to reduce harm and foster wellness in the community.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Welcome and engage community members as they enter the office or outreach setting. Identify client needs and provide appropriate support and resources. Prepare and distribute safer sex and safer substance use supplies (e.g., naloxone kits, sterile syringes, condoms) in drop-in, outreach, and delivery settings. Coordinate supply distribution to community partners such as pharmacies and service organizations. Promote safer practices through informal, one-on-one education tailored to individual needs. Administer evaluation surveys to gather feedback on educational programming. Provide referrals for STBBI testing and treatment, addiction counseling, detox, residential treatment, and opioid agonist therapy. Offer general referrals and facilitate warm handoffs to ensure continuity of care. Participate in needle sweeps and respond to requests for community needle debris clean-up. Conduct outreach to engage underserved populations and promote harm reduction services. Maintain accurate records of client interactions, supply distribution, referrals, and outreach activities. Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and organizational standards. Participate in training and research relevant to the role and organizational mission. Support other Northreach Society staff and participate in committee work and planning as needed.

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent required; post-secondary education in public health, social work, or a related field is considered an asset. A combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered.

Additional Requirements:

Clear Criminal and Vulnerable Sector Check.

Additional Qualifications:

Experience working with marginalized populations, including individuals who use substances, are unhoused, or face barriers to accessing health care. Knowledge of harm reduction principles and Alberta's public health standards. Familiarity with STBBI prevention, overdose response, and safer substance use practices. Understanding of local health and social service systems, including addiction and mental health supports.

Core Competencies:

Ability to build trust and rapport with diverse individuals in a non-judgmental, trauma-informed manner. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Skilled in managing challenging situations with empathy and professionalism. Capable of responding to urgent needs in community settings. Demonstrates respect for diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. Committed to equity and reducing stigma in service delivery. Maintains accurate documentation and meets reporting requirements. Able to manage time effectively and work independently or as part of a team. Comfortable working in varied environments including outreach, drop-in, and mobile settings. Willingness to engage in ongoing learning and professional development.

Working conditions

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week), typically scheduled Monday to Friday, with a half-hour lunch break. Flexibility in hours or days may be required to meet community needs, including occasional after-hours tasks that will be scheduled in advance.

The role involves a combination of standing, sitting, walking, and driving throughout the day. A reliable, working vehicle is required for travel to community engagements, events, training, and partner sites.

Daily interactions include working with individuals experiencing substance use, mental health challenges, and other vulnerabilities.

The position requires emotional resilience, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to non-judgmental, trauma-informed care. Regular data entry is expected, including daily and monthly reporting activities.

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress Dental care Employee assistance program Extended health care Flexible schedule Life insurance On-site parking Paid time off
Ability to commute/relocate:

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5B6: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person