Harm Reduction Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Pay Range: $28.45 - $34.99 Hourly

Department: Health Department

Job Type: Limited Duration

Exemption Status: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date: September 10, 2026

Jail Side Premium: Receive a Jail Side 10% Hourly Premium.

Multnomah County provides generous benefits to our employees and their covered family members, including domestic partners. Multnomah County offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, ten paid holidays each year, vacation and sick leave, life and supplemental life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, and participation in Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

An additional benefit to being a full time employee with the Multnomah County Health Department is that you will qualify for the Federal Student Aid U.S Department Of Education Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Essentially this is a program that allows those that work for a qualifying employer for a period of at least 10 years to have their student loans forgiven. To learn more about Public Service Loan Forgiveness please visit Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

THIS WORK MATTERS!

This is a Limited Duration Assignment (LDA), which means this position can last up to two years, but may end at any time.

At Corrections Health, we provide medically needed health care for adults and youth in custody at Multnomah County Jails and Juvenile Detention Facility.

Come join our team of Portland's most outstanding health care professionals providing exceptional services to our diverse community!

Are you someone who inclusively leads with race? Do you find passion providing health education to individuals within the criminal justice system while coordinating clients to receive the appropriate healthcare and services they need? If so, then come apply your skills with us today!

We are seeking a Community Health Specialist 2 (CHS2) with a desire to provide direct patient engagement, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) care coordination, harm reduction support, and resource navigation for justice-involved individuals. The position works onsite at the Harm Reduction Clinic (HRC) and with Corrections Health's Transition Services Program (TSP) to strengthen continuity of care from custody to the community. As a Community Health Specialist 2 in Corrections Health, you will help serve in our three Correctional Health facilities as well as the Mead Building.

• 1. The Multnomah County Detention Center (downtown)
• 2. Inverness Jail (near PDX airport)
• 3. Mead Building (downtown)

This position is essential to the public health and safety, and required to report for duty regardless of County decisions to close or curtail other county operations. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

• Patient Engagement and Care Coordination Provide direct patient support at the Harm Reduction Clinic (HRC) and within correctional facilities. Coordinate Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) appointments, referrals, follow-ups, and patient education. Engage and interview patients to identify care barriers and facilitate connections to health, behavioral health, harm reduction, and social services. Assist with scheduling, program enrollment, and securing necessary information releases (ROIs). Maintain expertise in relevant health and social service resources for justice-involved individuals. Conduct outreach to support groups and organizations serving individuals entering or leaving custody.
• HRC and MAT Continuity Coordination Support HRC clients, MAT walk-ins, and referrals from Corrections Health and community partners. Manage MAT scheduling, follow-ups, and outreach to re-engage patients. Provide naloxone distribution, overdose prevention, and low-barrier harm reduction education. Collaborate with leadership to develop and deliver tailored health education materials for clients in custody. Lead on-site education efforts using lived experience to inform healthy behaviors and resource navigation.
• Resource Navigation and Transition Support Coordinate with TSP, MAT providers, and community partners to ensure post-release continuity of care. Assist clients with referrals for health coverage, housing, transportation, behavioral health, and substance use treatment. Collaborate to develop trauma-informed care plans and strengthen referral pathways. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of community resources for justice-involved individuals. Partner with family and support systems to provide a team-based approach to care.
• Documentation and Grant Reporting Document patient contacts, referrals, care coordination, and transitions in Epic and authorized systems while maintaining strict confidentiality. Manage required BJA data and referral tracking, and provide accurate reporting to Corrections Health and Harm Reduction Leadership teams. Participate in MAT/BJA meetings, training sessions, workflow development, and quality-improvement activities. Organize workflows and materials for future use and ensure all private health information is secured and documented according to standards.

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*

Education: Associate's degree AND Experience: One (1) to four (4) years of experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social support and assistance in using the health care system to groups and families. (Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Other: The ability to pass a Multnomah County Sheriff's Office background check / investigation, which will include being fingerprinted. Employment is contingent on passing a background investigation. Must have valid CPR / BLS Certification upon hire OR within 30 days of hire.

The employee holding this position is designated as an Essential Employee under Multnomah County Personnel Rule 3-15-015, Essential Employees.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: To protect the health of the community and employees, Multnomah County Corrections Health requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption as a qualification of employment.

• Experience working with Justice Involved Individuals (JIIs)
• Experience working with individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUDS)
• Public health education - outreach
• Experience Working with probation/parole/supervision
• Ability to problem solve complex case management developments
• Crisis management
• Attention to detail
• Solution focused

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process.

This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile: 6047 - Community Health Specialist 2

We're glad you are considering a career that gives back and supports the community. Working for Multnomah County means having the opportunity to make a real difference in the community, no matter what position you hold. We provide a wide array of essential services including health, community justice, roads, elections, libraries, jails, bridges, tax and assessment, marriage licenses, animal services, mental health and addiction services and more. Our organization’s top priority is to meet the many needs of our residents. Learn more about who we are, what we do, and why it matters.

At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference.

Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process.

Type of Position: This position is eligible for overtime. Type: Represented FLSA: Non-Exempt