Harm Reduction Project Manager

Job Title: Harm Reduction Project Manager

Accountable to: Director of Programs

Summary of Position: The Harm Reduction Project Manager coordinates the day-to-day activities of Wellness Services Inc.’s grant-funded harm reduction projects. This includes outreach, HIV, STI and Hepatitis C testing, overdose-prevention services, naloxone distribution, substance analysis and risk-reduction services, community education, and connections to health and social services. The Project Manager helps organize staff assignments, program schedules, community partnerships, supplies, documentation, and grant deliverables. This position provides day-to-day guidance to assigned program staff and helps ensure services are accessible, consistent, person-centered, and aligned with organizational and funder requirements. The Project Manager works alongside program staff while also coordinating schedules, staff assignments, community partnerships, supplies, documentation, data collection, and grant deliverables. This is not an administrative-only management position. The Project Manager is expected to remain actively involved in direct services so they understand the work, can model effective practices, identify barriers, and provide informed guidance to the team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Services and Participant Engagement

• Conduct street-level, community-based, and site-based outreach alongside program staff.
• Build trusting and nonjudgmental relationships with people who use drugs and other individuals who experience barriers to traditional health and social service systems.
• Distribute harm reduction supplies, naloxone, safer-sex materials, and other approved health and safety resources.
• Provide education related to overdose prevention, naloxone use, safer drug use, HIV, Hepatitis C, STI, wound care, and other health concerns.
• Conduct HIV, STI and Hepatitis C testing after completing required certifications, including testing provided through outreach and opt-out testing initiatives.
• Provide appropriate support, follow-up, and linkage to confirmatory testing and medical care for participants with reactive test results.
• Operate FTIR equipment and immunoassay test strips after completing required training.
• Explain testing and substance-analysis information using clear, accurate, accessible, and nonjudgmental language.
• Provide referrals and service navigation related to medical care, HIV, STI and Hepatitis C treatment, PrEP/PEP, substance use treatment when requested, housing, mental health services, health coverage, and other community resources.
• Assist with front desk, supply, outreach, testing, or other program coverage when needed to maintain access to services.

Project and Staff Coordination

• Coordinate the daily implementation of harm reduction activities, including outreach, syringe services, opt-out testing, naloxone services, community education, substance analysis, and participant referrals.
• Develop and maintain staff schedules, outreach calendars, testing activities, community events, and partner-site services.
• Provide day-to-day direction, assignments, support, and follow-up to assigned Harm Reduction staff.
• Attend regular project check-ins to review priorities, participant needs, upcoming activities, documentation, supplies, and challenges.
• Ensure staff understand their responsibilities, timelines, documentation requirements, and expected follow-up.
• Model effective participant engagement and provide practical coaching based on direct participation in program activities.
• Support staff with problem-solving, participant concerns, referrals, field safety, and coordination of services.
• Ensure assigned staff complete required certifications and training and follow organizational policies and program procedures.
• Provide feedback to staff and communicate significant performance, safety, or operational concerns to the Director of Programs.
• Identify barriers affecting project implementation and work with staff and leadership to develop realistic solutions.

Data, Quality, and Grant Requirements

• Monitor project goals, timelines, activities, and grant deliverables.
• Ensure outreach activities, testing services, participant encounters, referrals, trainings, supply distribution, and other required services are documented accurately and on time.
• Review program documentation and data to identify missing information, service gaps, emerging trends, and areas requiring follow-up.
• Work with the Client Service Coordinator, and Director of Programs to resolve documentation or data-quality concerns.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, annual, and other required grant reports.
• Support the development and use of project forms, procedures, workflows, tracking tools, and quality-improvement activities.
• Ensure services are provided in accordance with organizational policies, grant requirements, confidentiality standards, testing protocols, safety procedures, and applicable regulations.

Partnerships, Supplies, and Program Development

• Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare providers, shelters, community organizations, treatment providers, public health agencies, and other service partners.
• Coordinate community trainings and educational activities related to overdose prevention, naloxone, HIV, Hepatitis C, and harm reduction.
• Represent Wellness Services Inc. at community events, coalition meetings, outreach activities, and other assigned meetings.
• Coordinate inventory and ordering of naloxone, testing materials, harm reduction supplies, outreach materials, personal protective equipment, and other project resources.
• Monitor supply levels, expiration dates, storage requirements, and equipment needs.
• Stay informed about emerging overdose trends, substances of concern, harm reduction practices, HIV and Hepatitis C prevention, and changes affecting the communities served.
• Gather feedback from participants, staff, and community partners and recommend ways to strengthen access, engagement, and service delivery.
• Perform additional duties that support the project and the mission of Wellness Services Inc.

Qualifications

• Direct, hands-on experience in harm reduction, street outreach, syringe services, overdose prevention, HIV/HCV testing, substance use services, public health, or closely related community-based work.
• Experience coordinating projects, programs, staff activities, community services, or grant-funded work is preferred.
• Supervisory, team-lead, or staff-coordination experience is preferred.
• A degree in public health, social work, human services, health administration, or a related field is welcomed but not required. Relevant professional and lived experience is always considered.
• Working knowledge of harm reduction, overdose prevention, naloxone, HIV and Hepatitis C prevention, and the needs of people who use drugs.
• Must be willing and able to routinely provide direct services alongside program staff in office, community, and outreach settings.
• Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple activities, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to provide staff direction and accountability while maintaining a supportive and collaborative environment.
• Ability to work effectively with humans of diverse gender identities, races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, abilities, housing statuses, and drug-use patterns.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately manage sensitive participant and organizational information.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends based on project and community needs.
• HIV and Hepatitis C testing certification must be obtained within six months of hire. Training and certification will be provided.
• Previous FTIR experience is not required. Training on the equipment and related procedures will be provided.
• Must possess reliable transportation, a valid Michigan driver’s license, and maintain the minimum Michigan vehicle insurance requirements.

Critical Qualities

Person-Centered: Respects participant autonomy and supports positive change as defined by the individual.

Working Leader: Is willing to perform the work alongside the team and uses that experience to provide meaningful guidance.

Organized: Can coordinate staff, services, supplies, documentation, and deadlines across multiple project activities.

Accountable: Follows through on responsibilities and addresses concerns before they interfere with services or grant requirements.

Collaborative: Communicates openly and works with staff, leadership, participants, and partners to create coordinated services.

Problem Solver: Can assess challenges, identify realistic options, and take appropriate action.

Adaptable: Can respond to changing community needs, outreach conditions, and project priorities.

Confidential: Maintains the highest level of confidentiality regarding participant, staff, and organizational information.

How Wellness Services Inc. Supports Work-Life Balance

We believe the work we do in the community starts with how we care for our team. At Wellness Services Inc., your well-being matters, and we are committed to creating a workplace where you can grow your skills and feel supported.

We offer:

• 208 hours of paid time off annually
• 11 national holidays off, including Juneteenth
• Shortened workdays on Fridays
• A competitive 401(k) with up to a 3% matching contribution
• Up to 100% employer-covered health insurance
• Learning opportunities, including conferences, workshops, training, and professional development.

Grant-Funded Position Notice

This position is made possible through grant funding. The listed salary is set according to the approved grant budget and is not negotiable. Like many nonprofit positions, its continuation is connected to future funding and program needs.

Pay: $47,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person