Employment opportunities

The Program Assistant is a full-time position within the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR). This position is responsible for supporting projects and initiatives across SUPHR’s Medical Program.

The mission of SUPHR’s Medical Program is to improve the care and wellbeing of people who use drugs (PWUD) in Philadelphia. The program aims to disseminate clinical guidance and support training in substance use disorder, harm reduction, and wound care. Program activities include convening healthcare professionals and clinicians across Philadelphia to identify gaps in care, improve best practices, and identify emerging healthcare needs for PWUD. The Program also supports training and education in caring for people who use drugs and distributes wound care kits to local Philadelphia community-based organizations. Lastly, the Program collaborates across city, state, and community partners to promote the implementation of evidence-based harm reduction clinical practices when engaging PWUD.

For more information and to submit an application, visit the Health Federation page here.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)’s Substance Use program is hiring a Harm Reduction Specialist who will provide essential support for all of the program’s harm reduction activities. The individual filling this position will continue harm reduction activities currently in place as well as proactively seek out new opportunities for outreach. Emphasis will be placed on community education and distribution of Naloxone and test strips as well as activities relating to safe syringe disposal, drug-related litter clean-up, and coordinating community outreach activities during overdose surges. The Harm Reduction Specialist will also support qualitative research efforts, assisting with interviews, focus groups, and data collection as needed. The Harm Reduction Specialist will report to the Harm Reduction Coordinator and work very closely with interdepartmental staff within PDPH SUPHR, The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services, the Police Department, the Medical Examiner’s Office and health care providers associated with all major Philadelphia area hospital emergency departments. This position may also support public health emergency response, including outreach and harm reduction activities during Code Reds and Code Blues.

For more information and to submit an application, visit the Health Federation page here.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)’s Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Division is hiring a Project Reach Specialist to support the efforts to maintain clean, safe and healthy spaces while advancing harm reduction and public health goals. This position combines environmental cleanup with compassionate outreach to individuals who use drugs and/or are unhoused, promoting dignity, safety and wellness across communities in Philadelphia most impacted by substance use and environmental hazards.

For more information and to submit an application, visit the Health Federation page here.

The Street Team will be tasked with increasing harm reduction resources and training in neighborhoods that have been most affected by overdose crisis, particularly North and Southwest Philadelphia. The people filling these positions will work in the field five days per week in zip codes 19121, 19132, 19141, 19144, 19140, 19139 and 19133 (subject to changed based on data) to distribute harm reduction resources and educational materials about the overdose crisis in the city. Street Team staff will interact directly with people in active addiction, people who use substances recreationally, people who are unhoused, as well as people who may have a stigmatizing view of substance use. The Street Team Specialist is a core member of the Community Engagement Program within the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and will be expected to work collaboratively within and across programs. People from the zip codes of focus, as well as people with lived experience and/or returning citizens are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information and to submit an application, visit the Health Federation page here.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) is working to increase harm reduction resources and training in neighborhoods that have been most affected by substance use and overdose. The person filling this position will work to build relationships with a variety of neighborhood organizations, including but not limited to religious organizations, neighborhood associations, local business, and other community groups. The Community Engagement Specialist will interact directly with individuals who may have a stigmatizing view of substance use, as well as those in active addiction or individuals who use substances recreationally. This person must be able to train a diverse audience on overdose awareness and reversal.

For more information and to submit an application, visit the Health Federation page here.