Deliveries Specialist

Southside Harm Reduction Services Deliveries Specialist Minneapolis, MN
· Part time

The Deliveries Specialist distributes harm reduction supplies as requested by participants across Minneapolis. This position communicates directly with participants about their supply needs and deliveries details. They are also available to answer questions about harm reduction and connect participants to services within and in partnership with Southside’s other programming. Our participants include, and are not limited to, people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and people who engage in sex work.

As Minnesota's leading harm reduction organization, we're dedicated to improving the health and autonomy of individuals who use drugs. Our approach is centered in understanding and respecting the needs of our community, aiming to increase access to essential and supportive services, reducing overdose deaths, improving the health and wellbeing of the communities we are a part of, and affirming the dignity of all people who use drugs and people experiencing homelessness.

The Deliveries Specialist provides mobile harm reduction services with a focus on reducing overdose and increasing access to harm reduction resources for people who use drugs, particularly in North Minneapolis and among African American participants throughout Minneapolis. The Deliveries Program advances SHRS’s commitment to meeting people where they are by responding directly to participant requests and bringing them supplies, information and support.

The Deliveries Specialist builds and maintains respectful, trusting relationships with participants and approaches each interaction with curiosity, compassion, and respect for participant autonomy. The role actively seeks participant input, questions, and concerns to ensure that services remain responsive to community needs. The Specialist will maintain current knowledge of harm reduction practices, the local drug supply, and emerging patterns of drug use and overdose risk.

By providing people with supplies, information, and the support needed to make informed decisions, the Deliveries Specialist supports participants’ ability to care for themselves and others. Through these efforts, the program contributes to reducing overdose, strengthening connections with participants and communities, and advances health equity across Minneapolis.

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Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Mobile Distribution of Harm Reduction Supplies

Provide timely, responsive, and accessible delivery of harm reduction supplies based on participant needs, requests, and availability.

• Communicate with participants about supply needs, delivery logistics, and changes to plans.
• Prepare and maintain harm reduction supplies in the SHRS van and/or prepacked delivery bags.
• Maintain accurate inventory of supplies and complete required program data collection and documentation.
• Understand the purpose and appropriate use of harm reduction supplies in order to provide accurate information to participants.
• Safely and reliably transport and deliver supplies to participants using a personal vehicle or SHRS vehicle.
• Identify gaps in participant access to supplies and communicate emerging needs to the Deliveries Program team.

Harm Reduction Education and Connection to Services

Provide participants with current, evidence-based harm reduction information and support connections to services that meet their individual needs and goals.

• Maintain current knowledge of harm reduction practices, overdose prevention, drug use trends, and changes in the local drug supply.
• Share relevant harm reduction information and education in ways that are accessible, respectful, and responsive to participants’ questions and experiences.
• Actively invite participants to ask questions, share concerns, and provide feedback about their needs and experiences.
• Maintain knowledge of SHRS and partner programs and services and appropriately connect participants to available resources.

Participant Relationships and Communication

Build and maintain trusting, respectful…