Supervisor – Harm Reduction

Internal/External Posting
Full-time Position
Location: Sioux Lookout, ON
Salary Range: $68,778 – $100,438 per annum.
Reference Number: SUPER001427
If applying by email, indicate reference number in subject line

Job Summary:
The Approaches to Community Wellbeing is a regional resource to 31 First Nations Communities. The Approaches to Community Wellbeing provides expertise, support, services, and programming in public health to the region. The program also supports communities in the development, implementation, and monitoring of their own Approaches to Community Wellbeing. Harm Reduction is a component of Preventing Infectious Diseases under the Healthy Living section of the model.

The objective of the Supervisor – Harm Reduction is to support communities in the prevention of Infectious Diseases through Harm Reduction services. Harm reduction is an important initiative in order to respond to the high prevalence of prescription substance use and associated harms (i.e., sexually transmitted and blood borne infections) in First Nations remote communities. The program currently includes a distribution program for safe injection kits, substance use equipment, an opioid overdose prevention program, as well as community-based education initiatives.

The Supervisor – Harm Reduction will be directly accountable to the Manager – Harm Reduction

Qualifications:
• Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment).
• Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects in the Sioux Lookout Zone is an asset.
• University degree in a health-related field
• Valid Ontario’s driver’s license is required; Class G license
• Minimum 1 year experience in harm reduction and/or public health
• Previous experience in health planning and project management is an asset
• Previous experience in health promotion and education is an asset
• Understanding of the unique determinants of health for First Nations in Northwestern Ontario, and the health landscape in which they seek services
• Active interest in harm reduction as it pertains to individuals who use substances
• Excellent planning, organization, time management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Professional integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality is essential
• Experience working both independently and, in a team-orientated, collaborative environment is essential
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Ability to develop and maintain respectful/cooperative relationships with First Nations people, communities, service stakeholders, and health care providers to promote an integrated seamless delivery of service
• Excellent written, verbal, and computer skills
• Ability to complete reports and documentation
• Experience and training in cultural competency with First Nations
• Must be willing to travel
• The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis

Roles and Responsibilities:
• With support from the Manager – Harm Reduction, create a strategic plan and vision for the Harm Reduction service.
• With support from the Manager – Harm Reduction, create and maintain a work plan and budget for the Harm Reduction service.
• Provide supervision and direction to the Harm Reduction Worker(s) by scheduling staff and signing time sheets, appraising employee job results, providing ongoing coaching, advice, and motivation, and identify and support professional development and training of staff.
• Provide health promotion/education to regional partners, community members, and drug users on the function of safe injection/inhalation kits, harm reduction, safe disposal, and risks associated with unsafe substance use.
• Support communities in the introduction and/or expansion of harm reduction initiatives, as requested, including assisting communities with program development for the Needle Distribution Program, assisting communities that wish to introduce Harm Reduction initiatives outside of the Nursing Station setting, assisting communities in the promotion of safe disposal of used needles and drug paraphernalia, and assist communities in developing other harm reduction services, such as Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs.
• Support capacity building and training initiatives of community-based workers around harm reduction act as a resource and contact person to communities related to questions and concerns about Harm Reduction, provide education materials and sessions around harm reduction through videoconference, teleconference, webinars, community visits, etc., and provide, or link communities with, training opportunities around Harm Reduction.
• Ensure mechanisms are in place for communities to provide feedback on harm reduction services and overall monitoring and evaluation of the Harm Reduction program Support Harm Reduction Workers in their work to provide communities with harm reduction equipment ensure that safe injection kits are packaged and available for distribution, order all harm reduction equipment, and ensure the process for ordering is done in a highly organized and efficient manner, receive and process harm reduction kit orders, and coordinate the packaging and shipping of kits to First Nations communities in a timely manner, develop and maintain a stock management system and do regular inspections, collect and maintain data records on the distribution of kits (i.e. number of kits going to each community), and network and coordinate activities with other organizations working in Harm Reduction in the Sioux Lookout region.
• Other duties as assigned.

Apply online at https://www.slfnha.com/careers/.

Human Resource Department
Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority
P.O. Box 1300, 61 Queen Street
Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8
Phone: (807) 737-1802
Fax: (807) 737-2969
Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com

SLFNHA currently “Strongly Recommends” COVID-19 immunizations and requests your immunization status to be sent to our staff health department if successful in the recruitment process.

Closing Date: August 26, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. CST
No resumes received after this time will be accepted.

The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance. However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.

For additional information regarding the Health Authority, please visit our website at www.slfnha.com

SLFNHA is a proud supporter of Mikinakoos Children’s Fund. To find out more, visit www.mikinakoos.com