Sonoran Prevention Works
Systems Navigation Specialist
Criminal Justice/Unsheltered Community Focus
Job Description
Position
Full Time, non-exempt
Pima County
Compensation Range: $23 - $26 hourly
Organization
Sonoran Prevention Works (SPW) is a statewide harm reduction nonprofit working to build a healthy Arizona with people who use drugs. SPW takes a systems-based and person-first approach to drug use, working to support individuals in achieving safety and health, provide technical support to organizations who interface with people who use drugs, and change local and state-level policy to embrace evidence-based changes. SPW expects all of its staff to engage on a journey of understanding and working toward racial justice. The organization currently maintains a staff of 35 employees in 8 counties, with a budget exceeding $4 million.
Position Description
Reporting to the Systems Navigation Program Manager, the Systems Navigation Specialist will take responsibility for supporting the cultivation and care for relationships established with community members, secondary distributors, contractors, professionals, providers and PWUD in Pima County with a special focus on those impacted by the Criminal Justice system and part of the unsheltered community. This position also includes responsibility for distributing safer use supplies and other essential items to PWUD via fixed sites and street based outreach. The Systems Navigation Specialist is a dynamic role requiring proficiency in verbal and written communication, persistence, fostering a person-centered approach and creative problem solving. They will represent the organization professionally to enhance and promote the core values and mission of SPW. This position will complete regular fixed responsibilities, as well as have the opportunity to take on special one-time projects related to this position.
Responsibilities
Regular responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Community and Professional Engagement (45%)
Routinely support Outreach Program direct-service staff to keep up with outreach practices & trends in the field Provide harm reduction education and supplies at fixed sites in Pima County Attend relevant local coalitions on a monthly basis to represent SPW and the interests of PWUD Stay up to date on local resources for housing, food security, employment, treatment, healthcare, etc. and share that information with team members Provide referrals & support to people who use drugs to access resources Build relationships with people who use drugs and organizations that serve PWUD through outreach, conferences, meetings, and other networking opportunities Coordinate with local health departments, community groups, medical facilities, and treatment centers for workshop and training opportunities Advocacy and Education (30%)
Utilize adult learning theory, cultural competency and harm reduction frameworks to deliver and develop engaging training & curriculum to partner agencies, stakeholders, people who use drugs and the general public with a focus on communities of justice impacted and unsheltered people Stays up to date with research, trends, and field innovations and incorporates material as applicable/necessary into trainings & learning tools Stays up to date on local laws, petitions, and legislation that impact the well being and autonomy of PWUD Identify key relationships and positions of leverage to positively impact the outcome for justice impacted and unsheltered PWUD Provide trainings & learning tools that facilitate equity, diversity, and inclusion Ensure the needs of PWUD are centered in all trainings & learning tools Participates in and attends relevant conferences and meetings Advocate for harm reduction as a liaison in organizations and for PWUD in a variety of contexts Capacity Building and Administrative Duties (25%)
Identify communities and locations that could benefit from syringe access and other harm reduction services Research training opportunities that provide access and reach to highly stigmatized and underrepresented populations in institutional settings Stay up to date on harm reduction research and drug trends and the systems that are impacting trends Ensure timely communication on supply needs and participant feedback Ensures all necessary data is submitted in a timely and accurate manner Assist with inventory and receiving when needed The Systems Navigation Specialist will also be responsible for attending relevant weekly meetings with other staff & take on additional projects related to program operations, and other tasks as requested.
Required Qualifications
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, and Google Drive Located in Pima County Excellent communication, organizational, and self-management skills Competence in public speaking, training delivery, advocacy, and community engagement Minimum 3 years experience in harm reduction, public health, outreach, or direct service work with people who use drugs Must be self-motivated and creative in problem-solving Experience with documentation, data collection, and reporting, including familiarity with electronic record systems Must embrace the concept of harm reduction and be comfortable engaging with people who use drugs and their families Familiarity with co-occurring challenges such as unhoused status, mental health conditions, and systemic barriers impacting people who use drugs Comfortable working in field-based and non-traditional environments, including encampments, shelters, and mobile outreach settings Proven ability to build trust and maintain rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those impacted by drug use, poverty, systemic racism, and criminalization Demonstrated commitment to cultural competence and elevating the voices of people who use drugs Must have a habit of excellent attendance Must demonstrate an ability to thrive while working autonomously Must hold a valid driver's license in the State of Arizona Must have own reliable transportation Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings & weekends on occasion Bilingual in Spanish Preferred Qualifications
Proficiency in Zoom Strong knowledge of the principles of harm reduction, including overdose prevention, syringe access, safer use practices, and health navigation Proficient in overdose response and naloxone distribution, HIV/HCV prevention strategies, and safer injection/smoking techniques Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times
Applicants who are fluent in Spanish &/or American Indigenous language, people of color, LGBTQIA2S+, &/or with lived experience with drug use, sex work, HIV/AIDS, or hepatitis C are strongly encouraged to apply.
Reports to: Systems Navigation Program Manager
Supervision Responsibilities: None
Travel: 30% of the time
Compensation & Benefits
Sonoran Prevention Works offers benefits that include health, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents with significant employer contribution, retirement with company match, up to 120 hours of paid vacation in the first year with additional annual accrual, 2 weeks of sick leave, paid holiday leave for all federal holidays and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, company cell phone, travel reimbursement, and some schedule flexibility.
To Apply
In order for your application to be considered complete, you must submit a resume and cover letter.
Applicants who fail to complete all of these requirements will not be considered for further review. The priority deadline for submission is 08/11/2025. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Sonoran Prevention Works is an equal opportunity employer. SPW does not discriminate in any of its activities or operations on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, drug-related criminal record, marital status, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, substance use, or military status.
Criminal Justice/Unsheltered Community Focus
Job Description
Position
Full Time, non-exempt
Pima County
Compensation Range: $23 - $26 hourly
Organization
Sonoran Prevention Works (SPW) is a statewide harm reduction nonprofit working to build a healthy Arizona with people who use drugs. SPW takes a systems-based and person-first approach to drug use, working to support individuals in achieving safety and health, provide technical support to organizations who interface with people who use drugs, and change local and state-level policy to embrace evidence-based changes. SPW expects all of its staff to engage on a journey of understanding and working toward racial justice. The organization currently maintains a staff of 35 employees in 8 counties, with a budget exceeding $4 million.
Position Description
Reporting to the Systems Navigation Program Manager, the Systems Navigation Specialist will take responsibility for supporting the cultivation and care for relationships established with community members, secondary distributors, contractors, professionals, providers and PWUD in Pima County with a special focus on those impacted by the Criminal Justice system and part of the unsheltered community. This position also includes responsibility for distributing safer use supplies and other essential items to PWUD via fixed sites and street based outreach. The Systems Navigation Specialist is a dynamic role requiring proficiency in verbal and written communication, persistence, fostering a person-centered approach and creative problem solving. They will represent the organization professionally to enhance and promote the core values and mission of SPW. This position will complete regular fixed responsibilities, as well as have the opportunity to take on special one-time projects related to this position.
Responsibilities
Regular responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Community and Professional Engagement (45%)
Routinely support Outreach Program direct-service staff to keep up with outreach practices & trends in the field Provide harm reduction education and supplies at fixed sites in Pima County Attend relevant local coalitions on a monthly basis to represent SPW and the interests of PWUD Stay up to date on local resources for housing, food security, employment, treatment, healthcare, etc. and share that information with team members Provide referrals & support to people who use drugs to access resources Build relationships with people who use drugs and organizations that serve PWUD through outreach, conferences, meetings, and other networking opportunities Coordinate with local health departments, community groups, medical facilities, and treatment centers for workshop and training opportunities Advocacy and Education (30%)
Utilize adult learning theory, cultural competency and harm reduction frameworks to deliver and develop engaging training & curriculum to partner agencies, stakeholders, people who use drugs and the general public with a focus on communities of justice impacted and unsheltered people Stays up to date with research, trends, and field innovations and incorporates material as applicable/necessary into trainings & learning tools Stays up to date on local laws, petitions, and legislation that impact the well being and autonomy of PWUD Identify key relationships and positions of leverage to positively impact the outcome for justice impacted and unsheltered PWUD Provide trainings & learning tools that facilitate equity, diversity, and inclusion Ensure the needs of PWUD are centered in all trainings & learning tools Participates in and attends relevant conferences and meetings Advocate for harm reduction as a liaison in organizations and for PWUD in a variety of contexts Capacity Building and Administrative Duties (25%)
Identify communities and locations that could benefit from syringe access and other harm reduction services Research training opportunities that provide access and reach to highly stigmatized and underrepresented populations in institutional settings Stay up to date on harm reduction research and drug trends and the systems that are impacting trends Ensure timely communication on supply needs and participant feedback Ensures all necessary data is submitted in a timely and accurate manner Assist with inventory and receiving when needed The Systems Navigation Specialist will also be responsible for attending relevant weekly meetings with other staff & take on additional projects related to program operations, and other tasks as requested.
Required Qualifications
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, and Google Drive Located in Pima County Excellent communication, organizational, and self-management skills Competence in public speaking, training delivery, advocacy, and community engagement Minimum 3 years experience in harm reduction, public health, outreach, or direct service work with people who use drugs Must be self-motivated and creative in problem-solving Experience with documentation, data collection, and reporting, including familiarity with electronic record systems Must embrace the concept of harm reduction and be comfortable engaging with people who use drugs and their families Familiarity with co-occurring challenges such as unhoused status, mental health conditions, and systemic barriers impacting people who use drugs Comfortable working in field-based and non-traditional environments, including encampments, shelters, and mobile outreach settings Proven ability to build trust and maintain rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those impacted by drug use, poverty, systemic racism, and criminalization Demonstrated commitment to cultural competence and elevating the voices of people who use drugs Must have a habit of excellent attendance Must demonstrate an ability to thrive while working autonomously Must hold a valid driver's license in the State of Arizona Must have own reliable transportation Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings & weekends on occasion Bilingual in Spanish Preferred Qualifications
Proficiency in Zoom Strong knowledge of the principles of harm reduction, including overdose prevention, syringe access, safer use practices, and health navigation Proficient in overdose response and naloxone distribution, HIV/HCV prevention strategies, and safer injection/smoking techniques Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times
Applicants who are fluent in Spanish &/or American Indigenous language, people of color, LGBTQIA2S+, &/or with lived experience with drug use, sex work, HIV/AIDS, or hepatitis C are strongly encouraged to apply.
Reports to: Systems Navigation Program Manager
Supervision Responsibilities: None
Travel: 30% of the time
Compensation & Benefits
Sonoran Prevention Works offers benefits that include health, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents with significant employer contribution, retirement with company match, up to 120 hours of paid vacation in the first year with additional annual accrual, 2 weeks of sick leave, paid holiday leave for all federal holidays and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, company cell phone, travel reimbursement, and some schedule flexibility.
To Apply
In order for your application to be considered complete, you must submit a resume and cover letter.
Applicants who fail to complete all of these requirements will not be considered for further review. The priority deadline for submission is 08/11/2025. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Sonoran Prevention Works is an equal opportunity employer. SPW does not discriminate in any of its activities or operations on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, drug-related criminal record, marital status, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, substance use, or military status.