Director of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction - City of Philadelphia

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), with 1,500 staff and a budget of $350 million, promotes and protects the health of all Philadelphians and provides a safety net for the most vulnerable. The agency leads programs to prevent communicable diseases; prevent chronic diseases and promote healthy behaviors; prevent environmental health risks and injuries; investigate outbreaks of disease; respond to public health emergencies; and promote the health of women, children, and families. In addition, the department operates eight primary care clinics. PDPH has been on the vanguard of public health, proposing policy solutions to problems like smoking and obesity, and intends to continue that tradition with creative solutions to both long-standing urban health problems and new crises. Many cities have been impacted by the overdose crisis, but Philadelphia has been hit especially hard. The City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health has responded by creating the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR), a team focused on improving the health and well-being of people who use drugs in Philadelphia.  SUPHR has 10 teams: Bereavement (Philly HEALs), Communications, Community Engagement, Environmental Services, Epidemiology, Harm Reduction, Medical, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Philly LIFTS), Operations, and Overdose Fatality Review (OD Stat). The team's mission is to prevent overdoses and other health issues by offering services and shaping policies to promote the dignity, autonomy, and health of people who use drugs. To name just a few things, SUPHR offers overdose prevention trainings, support to families with babies born with NAS, and same day pay program focused on creating job opportunities while cleaning communities. Since so many Philadelphians have been touched by the overdose crisis, SUPHR also provides counseling to children and adults who have lost someone in their life to an overdose. Behind the scenes, SUPHR works with other City agencies, hospitals, and community groups to ensure that everyone is working together to combat stigma and encourage harm reduction efforts. SUPHR recognizes that many communities have been dealing with substance use for a long time, and SUPHR is invested in giving communities the tools they need to keep people who use drugs, their loved ones, and the larger community healthy and safe.

This position is responsible for managing the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. The mission of SUPHR is to reduce the number of people initiating use of illicit opioids and other drugs while ensuring that individuals in active addiction are receiving the harm reduction and treatment resources they need. The Division manages and analyzes data on local drug use and its consequences, including overdoses, hospitalizations, and drug treatment utilization, and prepares summary reports and statistics that are used to inform City policy and initiatives. The Director oversees the overall day-to-day operations and personnel responsible for managing the following SUPHR program areas: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Surveillance and Outreach, Overdose Death Review (OD Stat), Surveillance and Epidemiology, Communications, Prescriber Training and Education, and Treatment Linkage.  This individual assures that the Division is effectively working towards its mission by coordinating programs and strategies, identifying critical issues, and helping to manage the Division’s budgets and contracts.  The Director works closely with other Health Department Divisions, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Department of Prisons and other city and non-city agencies involved in addressing substance use in Philadelphia.

Essential Functions

• Oversee development, implementation and evaluation of grant-funded programs and activities relating to substance use prevention, harm reduction, and surveillance.
• Organize, lead, and manage supervisory staff.
• Direct Division specific strategic planning, team building, and goal setting.
• Identify and follow-up on substance use-related funding opportunities.
• Initiate and manage special projects aimed at better understanding the drug crises in Philadelphia.
• Identify data and information sources for substance use prevention and harm reduction related programming.
• Develop collaborative relationships with City and non-City partners and stakeholders.
• Serve as a representative for grantee teleconferences/meetings.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to interpret analytic findings and write project proposals and technical reports.
• Ability to develop and monitor budgets and contracts.
• Ability to analyze and think critically to apply reasonable judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working and conducting research with health and prevention service agencies.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, and to work independently in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.
• Sensitivity to and experience working with ethnically, culturally and sexually diverse individuals, communities, agencies and organizations.

• Doctorate Degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Health Administration, Social Work or related field; AND five or more years of public health management experience;

OR

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Health Administration or related field; AND six or more years of public health management experience;
• OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.  

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, writing sample, references and resume.

Salary Range: $120,000-$140,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx