Harm Reduction Worker (The Meeting Place Drop-In)

External Job Posting

Harm Reduction Worker

(The Meeting Place Drop-In)

West Neighbourhood House is a multi-service, neighbourhood-based agency that has served the diverse communities of downtown west Toronto since 1912. The central purpose of West Neighbourhood House is to enable less-advantaged individuals, families, and groups in the community to gain greater control over their lives and community.

The Meeting Place Drop-in is a program of West Neighbourhood House, which offers a welcoming, and accessible community space to street involved and precariously housed adults, many of whom are living with mental health and/or substance use issues.

West Neighbourhood House is actively seeking qualified applications from Indigenous, Black and People of Colour, people with disabilities, women and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. Applicants with lived experience as a participant of West Neighbourhood House programs, or related programming from similar organizations, are also strongly encouraged to apply.

West Neighbourhood House will provide accommodation throughout the recruitment & selection process to applicants with disabilities. During any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate the nature of any accommodation(s) you may require. Any information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Harm reduction workers will provide harm reduction services to participants of the Meeting Place drop-in inside and with a 500-meter radius of the drop-in. The project is designed to better meet harm reduction needs and overdose response resulting from the closure of safe consumption sites in the west end of Toronto.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Building rapport and engagement with members/participants.
• Distribute harm reduction supplies including naloxone.
• Lead overdose prevention activities in and around the drop-in.
• Implement/lead education activities around substance use.
• Develop collaborative relationships with broader harm reduction community e.g. the works, TNG, PQWCHC.
• Provide system navigation support specific to connecting PUD with community-based supports (Health and Harm Reduction services).
• Refer to existing drop-in case management services.
• Responsible for data collection and management.
• Responsible for documentation as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S.W. or equivalent education and training related to social services and community development.
• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction principles and practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and analysis of the history, cultural strengths, and challenges of Indigenous peoples.
• Demonstrated knowledge of anti-oppression principles.
• Minimum 1 year experience in front-line community work.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and teamwork skills.
• Computer literacy skills and ability to be trained in and regularly utilize data collection software.
• Must have a highly developed comfort working with individuals who may have significant mental health and substance use challenges.
• Must have a good level of conflict resolution skills.
• The ability to handle a fast paced and unpredictable environment.
• Must be comfortable handling aggression.
• Ability to work Saturdays as well as some evenings as needed.
• Must be able to meet the physical demands of the job (including receiving food deliveries of up to 20kg, climbing stairs, lifting boxes, moving bins, and frequent walk-arounds).

Status: Full-time Contract ending September 30, 2026 (CUPE Local 3393 Bargaining Unit Position)

Existing Vacancy: Yes

Start Date: ASAP

Hours: 35 hours per week (Tuesdays to Saturdays)

Rate: $26.95 per hour

Unit: Adult Community Programs

Immediate Supervisor: Programs Manager

Posting Date: February 24, 2026

Closing Date: March 10, 2026

Please submit your resume and cover letter clearly indicating “Harm Reduction Worker” by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date to:

Hiring Committee

588 Queen Street West

Toronto, Ontario

M6J 1E3 jobs@westnh.org

West Neighbourhood House is an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all applicants, but only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

A United Way Member Agency