Health Promotion Specialist

Position Details

• Job Category: Health Services
• Division & Section: Public Health, Clinical Services
• Work Location: 61 Front Street West, Union Station, Toronto, Ontario
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, 1 Temporary (18 month) vacancy
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: L79 Full-time
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 21-Oct-2026 to 04-Nov-2026

Job Summary

Harm Reduction and Treatment Services offers a number of programs and services designed to reduce the harms associated with substance use in Toronto. Programs include opioid agonist treatment, harm reduction and naloxone distribution, nursing, counselling and support.

Reporting to the Manager, Harm Reduction and Treatment Services, the incumbent will assist the program in developing policies and procedures for opioid agonist treatment and nursing services, including Hepatitis and HIV screening, vaccination, overdose response, infection prevention and control, wound care, and other related services. We are looking for a high-energy, organized Health Promotion Specialist knowledgeable about substance use and street nursing.

Major Responsibilities

• Provides expert advice and consultation to Toronto Public Health frontline staff, the Board of Health, external groups, and the general public on health issues.
• Assesses community needs and analyzes information with respect to public health issues.
• Develops, plans, implements, and evaluates community-based initiatives using health promotion strategies such as community mobilization, advocacy, healthy public policy, and health education.
• Collaborates with Public Health program staff in strategic and operational planning for Public Health programs.
• Analyzes information and advises staff in reviewing and analyzing programs, projects, and new priorities, including setting goals and objectives. Drafts and revises related program plans, policies, and procedures.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates divisional programs and projects.
• Promotes implementation of municipal, provincial, and federal legislation and strategies.
• Develops public health policy recommendations, such as by-laws and legislation, for consideration at municipal, provincial, and federal levels.
• Develops and facilitates in-service training, staff orientation, and staff development programs. Drafts, revises, or recommends medical directives, nursing policies and procedures, teaching manuals, and resource materials for the public and divisional staff.
• Makes presentations to the public, community, and media, answers public inquiries, and liaises with interested external groups.
• Develops and coordinates communication plans and social marketing strategies for programs and services, including issues management, media relations, and advertising campaigns.
• Plans, develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates programs and services as directed, such as community forum workshops, press conferences, in-house newsletters, media campaigns, annual reports, and press releases.
• Researches and writes reports and correspondence for the division.
• Collaborates on applied public health research and field studies.
• Attends workshops, conferences, seminars, and other events.

Key Qualifications

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

• Master's degree in Nursing, Health Administration, Public/Community Health, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of a baccalaureate degree and considerable experience relevant to the primary duties of the position.
• Licensed Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Considerable experience working in harm reduction, addiction, outreach, and/or homelessness fields.
• Considerable experience in program planning and continuous quality improvement.
• Experience developing policies and procedures.

Additional Requirements

• Strong commitment to harm reduction philosophy and principles, and ability to work in a harm reduction environment.
• Knowledge of substance use, addiction, opioid agonist treatment, overdose, clinical services, nursing theories, and research processes.
• Knowledge of harm reduction program requirements, protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of safer drug use techniques.
• Knowledge of health protection, health education, and health promotion using a population health approach.
• Excellent interpersonal and consultation skills, with the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with colleagues and community members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Proficiency in word processing and other relevant programs.
• Ability to handle challenging assignments in a high-profile professional and political environment.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data to inform decision-making.
• Ability to work flexible hours and locations, including evenings and weekends, depending on the needs of the needle exchange program.
• Ability to support Toronto Public Service values and a culture that champions equity, diversity, and respectful workplaces.

Note to Internal Full-Time and Part-Time City of Toronto Employees

City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents it serves. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization and to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact the City.