Harm Reduction Policy Lead - Human Services Program Representative

Working Title:
Harm Reduction Policy Lead

Job Class:
Human Services Program Representative 2

Agency:
Human Services Dept

• Job
• Location:
  
  St. Paul
• Telework Eligible:
  Yes
• Full/Part Time:
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary:
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply:
  Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/15/2026
• Closing Date: 09/28/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:
  Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office
• Division/Unit: DHS-Central Office / BHA SUD Harm Reduction
• Work Shift/
  
  Work Hours:
  
  Day Shift / 8:00am to 4:30pm
• Days of Work:
  Monday - Friday
• Travel Required:
  
  No
• Salary Range: $32.97 - $48.60 / hourly; $68,841 - $101,476 / annually
• Classified Status:
  Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status:
  Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities:
  Yes

The Department of Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DHS does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position is eligible for telework for applicants who reside in Minnesota or in a bordering state, with supervisory approval and satisfactory performance. If you live in a state bordering Minnesota, you must live within 50 miles or less from the primary work location to be eligible for telework.

Flexible work hours may be permitted with supervisor approval.

The incumbent in this position will provide leadership, direction and coordination of harm reduction principles and methodologies in accordance with state and federal regulations and mandates. The duties and tasks of the incumbent include taking lead responsibility for harm reduction policy review, development and implementation. This position is also responsible for overall oversight, development and strategic policy direction of Minnesota’s Safe Recovery Sites.

Including leadership guidance to staff, policy direction, technical expertise and recommendations to Department of Human Services (DHS) leadership. As the state moves towards an integrated structure, and a continuum of care, these sites will be designed to support all areas of recovery. This position is pivotal in supporting implementation of this aspect of substance use disorder (SUD) reform work in Minnesota.

This incumbent will report to the State Opioid Response (SOR)/Harm Reduction Team Supervisor and coordinate closely with the SUD Reform and Redesign Team, Clinical Policy Team, Opioid Response Team and American Indian team, to provide lead direction and consultation for the safe recovery work. This is a highly visible and politically sensitive position, leading complex work assignments in collaboration with key stakeholders such as counties, tribes and advocates.

The incumbent will collaborate strategic legislative initiatives with the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (OERAC) Lead, the State Opioid Treatment Authority (SOTA) and the 1115 Demonstration Lead as a specialized team serving the same/similar key stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and plan-full rollout of systemic changes.

The incumbent will coordinate the legislative directives of Safe Recovery Site start up and capacity building grants Safe Recovery Site work includes multiple areas that require the incumbent to manage multi-administration and cross-agency activities. The incumbent will work closely with many administrative areas of DHS including all areas of the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), the Health Care Administration (HCA), Operations Division, The Department of Health, Department of Corrections, Office of Addiction and Recovery and the Office of the Inspector General, MN-IT Services, and multi-agency activities of public-and-private provider organizations and counties.

The incumbent will work with other policy experts, local leaders, and other staff at all levels to align Safe Recovery Site initiatives with current and future policy initiatives and legislative directives. The incumbent will be responsible for responding to the questions and concerns raised by legislators.

Act as chief liaison between the Behavioral Health…