About Us
Founded in 2011, Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition, Inc. (BHRC) is a community-based organization that mobilizes community members for the health, dignity, and safety of people targeted by the war on drugs and anti-sex worker policies; we advocate for harm reduction as a part of a broader movement for social justice. We implement public health services and advocate for policies to expand harm reduction in Baltimore and across the state of Maryland. We believe in the value and dignity of all people and that we have a duty to assist in each other’s safety. In 2020, BHRC shifted to an organizational structure reflective of our values of collaborative leadership and leaderfulness. In 2023, BHRC officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
About the Role
The Community Engagement Director provides strategic leadership for BHRC's advocacy team including community engagement, policy, and education initiatives. This position is responsible for advancing policies and systems that improve public health, protect the human rights of people who use drugs and sex workers, and expand evidence-based harm reduction practices throughout Maryland.
The Director develops BHRC's policy and advocacy agenda, leads statewide coalition-building efforts, strengthens relationships with community organizations and government partners, and translates successful Baltimore initiatives into statewide strategies. This position leads a small team that focuses on coalition building, community engagement, public health marketing, and community awareness and education while serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team. This position is primarily office-based with remote work flexibility as appropriate. In addition, regular travel throughout the Baltimore region and across Maryland is required to attend community meetings, partner engagements, legislative activities, and other external events in support of BHRC’s mission.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategic Advocacy Leadership
- Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
- Design, develop, and implement the organization's community engagement, policy, and advocacy strategy.
- Understand and utilize advocacy tools to further strategic agenda for BHRC including relationship building, peer-to-peer education and support, public health marketing, and educational awareness campaigns.
- Establish annual priorities, goals, and performance measures aligned with BHRC's strategic direction.
- Participate in organizational planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.
- Provide leadership across community engagement, education, policy, communications, and coalition initiatives.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships and relationships with community, political, organizational, and partner leaders to advance BHRC's advocacy agenda and strengthen its statewide leadership in harm reduction and public health.
- Leverage BHRC's work in Baltimore City to influence policy, practice, and systems across Maryland.
- Identify opportunities to replicate successful local initiatives statewide.
- Strengthen BHRC's reputation as Maryland's leading harm reduction and public health advocacy organization.
- Represent BHRC at conferences, public forums, media interviews, and speaking engagements.
Policy & Advocacy Leadership
Provide oversight, and in collaboration with the Policy Manager:
- Develop and lead BHRC's legislative and policy agenda.
- Advance public health policies and legal protections that improve the lives of people
- who use drugs and sex workers.
- Monitor emerging legislation, regulations, and public policy issues.
- Coordinate advocacy campaigns at the local and state levels.
- Develop policy positions, testimony, briefing materials, and advocacy strategies.
- Represent BHRC before policymakers, government agencies, and partner organizations.
Community Engagement & Coalition Building
Provide oversight, and in collaboration with the Community Engagement staff:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with community members, grassroots organizations, public health agencies, healthcare organizations, and advocacy partners
- Convene and facilitate statewide coalitions and collaborative initiatives.
- Mobilize community members, direct service providers, and partner organizations around shared advocacy priorities.
- Strengthen community leadership and ensure meaningful engagement of people with lived and living experience.
- Expand partnerships that increase BHRC's statewide impact.
Education & Training
Provide oversight, and in collaboration with the Community Engagement staff:
- Provide strategic oversight of BHRC's education and training initiatives.
- Develop educational strategies that increase understanding of harm reduction, racial justice, and evidence-based public health approaches.
- Expand training opportunities for healthcare organizations, community-based organizations, government agencies, and other partners.
- Ensure educational programming supports statewide systems change.
Supervision & Management
- Supervise community engagement staff including managers and coordinators to accomplish the work of the team.
- Coach and develop staff while fostering collaboration across teams.
- Ensure projects are coordinated, aligned, and completed on schedule.
- Support cross-functional collaboration with Services and Operations.
Candidate Requirements
Required
- 3 to 5 years professional experience in public health, social work, public policy, political science, nonprofit management or related field; or equivalent experience with a Bachelor's degree.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in community organizing, public health, policy, advocacy, or coalition building.
- Experience supervising staff and managing multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives.
- Strong understanding of harm reduction, racial justice, health equity, and public health principles.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and legislative testimony.
- Experience building partnerships across diverse stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5 plus years professional experience or Master’s degree in relevant field.
- Experience working with organizations serving people who use drugs, sex workers, or other marginalized communities.
- Knowledge of Maryland legislative and policy processes.
- Experience with advocacy campaigns and coalition leadership.
- Grant-funded nonprofit experience.
- Existing relationships with public health, community, and government partners across Maryland.
Core Competencies
- Strategic leadership
- Policy development and advocacy
- Coalition building
- Community engagement
- Relationship management
- Public speaking and communications
- Team leadership and supervision
- Budget planning and resource management
- Equity-centered leadership
- Systems thinking
- Change management
Benefits
BHRC believes strongly in providing its staff members with a living wage. As an organization founded on principles of compassion and dignity, we believe that everyone deserves to be paid fairly and equitably for their contributions and the dedication of their time.
Joining BHRC means being part of a workplace that prioritizes your well-being and professional growth. Our benefits package ensures your skills are recognized, with comprehensive health coverage, flexible work arrangements, and generous paid time off for a balanced life. We invest in your development through continuous learning opportunities and career advancement paths.
Contact Us To Apply
To be considered, all interested candidates must submit the following materials in PDF format to jobs@baltimoreharmreduction.org:
- Cover letter. Please explain your interest in both the role and BHRC.
- Resume detailing past work and other relevant experience.
In the email subject line, include the name of the role you are applying for, and your first and last name using the following sample format: “Community Engagement Director – [Your Name]”.
If you require accommodations or have any accessibility requirements during the application process, please send a message to jobs@baltimoreharmreduction.org, with the subject line “Accommodations Request” and we will be happy to assist you. Please note that requests for accommodation will not impact the selection process.
Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition, Inc. is committed to embracing diversity in all its forms, both in Baltimore and across the state of Maryland. As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, we actively seek to include diverse perspectives and backgrounds in our team to better reflect the communities we serve. We prioritize inclusivity and representation in our workforce and membership, recognizing the unique needs of these communities.
Our dedication to diversity is integral to our mission of eff ectively serving and creating a lasting positive impact in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other protected status. We especially encourage applications from individuals impacted by the war on drugs and anti-sex worker policies.
Joining our team at BHRC means you'll be instrumental in advancing our mission to promote the health, dignity, and safety of individuals impacted by drug policies and anti-sex worker legislation. You'll be at the forefront of our eff orts to value and uphold the dignity of all people, actively contributing to each other's safety and well-being.
Pay: From $77,417.60 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Baltimore, MD 21218
