Harm Reduction Strategic Specialist

About the role

This position will serve as a senior level specialist responsible for supporting the coordination, alignment, and implementation of the Section’s opioid response initiatives. The position sits in the Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis Section and reports to the Section Manager. Work spans multiple units and program areas including harm reduction, naloxone distribution and access, drug checking, drug diversion and deflection, and law enforcement training to support a coordinated and comprehensive approach to improving health outcomes and reducing barriers to care for Michiganders impacted by substance use. The role involves complex and highly visible initiatives requiring coordination across multiple program areas, leadership levels, and internal and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide program and administrative support for the Section’s opioid funded projects.
• Manage timelines associated with opioid funded projects – presentations, reports, manuscripts, OPM reporting.
• Maintain proactive and timely communication with staff by monitoring deadlines, providing reminders and follow-ups, and delivering regular status updates to ensure tasks and deliverables remain on track.
• Analyze ongoing opioid response program operations and initiatives and recommend modifications of policies and procedures to meet commitments more effectively.
• Establish, administer, and evaluate opioid response programs and recommend program policies and procedures.
• Ensure opioid response programs are collecting data necessary to meet program reporting, evaluation requirements, and timelines.
• Interpret existing and proposed laws, policies, and procedures as they relate to Michigan’s opioid response.
• Act as a liaison with internal opioid response programs and leadership as well as other agencies, organizations, and employees related to Michigan’s opioid response.
• Represent the best interests of MPHI and MDHHS at all times.
• Other duties assigned by the Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis Section Manager.

Qualifications

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in any major.
• Four years of professional experience required.
• Experience working in substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery support, or other areas of opioid and substance use response is preferred.

Skills

• Excellent oral and written communications.
• Commitment to health equity and serving underserved populations in Michigan.
• Collaboration and partnerships with internal and external partners.
• High level of initiative, accountability, and accuracy.
• Knowledge of Michigan’s harm reduction, law enforcement, and/or diversion landscape.
• Experience working in opioid response-related work.
• Knowledge of the operational and technical problems involved in Michigan’s opioid response.
• Knowledge of methods of planning, developing, and administering programs, particularly related to substance use or substance use disorder.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and legislative processes related to substance use and substance use disorder.
• Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate programs and administrative activities.
• Ability to formulate policies and procedures relevant to Michigan’s opioid response.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and expedite work projects.
• Ability to interpret complex rules and regulations.
• Ability to communicate with others verbally and in writing.