Senior Program Specialist – Opioid Prevention
Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services Department (PHES) is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Program Specialist – Opioid Prevention. The Senior Program Specialist will plan, develop, implement, and coordinate opioid use disorder and opioid overdose prevention activities. This includes the management of opioid settlement funding and reporting.
Commitment to the community shines in the Public Health and Environmental Services (PHES) department. Every day the Health Promotion and Planning team strives to protect the health and safety of the community by working with community partners to create conditions for people to live healthy lives. Join Anoka County and be part of a great team protecting the health of its residents.
The Senior Program Specialist plays a key role in advancing Anoka County's public health initiatives, particularly those supported by the Opioid Settlement Fund. This position manages complex program operations, oversees grant and RFP processes, coordinates contracts and reporting requirements, and provides ongoing support to funded partners. The role also leads efforts related to naloxone distribution and harm reduction, maintains public communications including social media and website content, and facilitates community trainings, events, and partnerships.
This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position. Interviews will take place the week of 09/28/2026 for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.
Pay & Benefits
- Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 34: $74,214 to $103,896 annually ($35.68 to $49.95 per hour). 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.
- Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more.
- Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
- Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
- Advancement/professional development opportunities.
Work Location
- This position will work at the Anoka County Government Center located at 2100 3rd Avenue, Suite 600, Anoka, MN 55303.
- This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work, with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.
- Expected work hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Job Duties and Responsibilities These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Senior Program Specialist.
- Oversee operations for complex public health programs, with a primary focus on administration and coordination of the Opioid Settlement Fund.
- Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of policies and procedures for RFPs, grants, and contracts, including coordinating proposal development, facilitating leadership and purchasing review, organizing review teams, fielding applicant questions, supporting award processes, and ensuring timely payments.
- Meet regularly with RFP recipients, provide technical assistance, respond to requests, support reporting needs, and maintain organized tracking systems, folders, invoices, and documentation.
- Coordinate public health communications including social media posting, ADA‑compliant image preparation, website updates, and media activities in partnership with Communications staff. Support strategies to increase social media reach and engagement.
- Lead naloxone program activities including identifying and onboarding new naloxone access point sites, providing ongoing support to existing sites, and coordinating supply needs.
- Participate in and co-lead committee meetings and leadership groups with internal and external partners.
- Ensure compliance with state, federal, and local rules and regulations related to opioid‑related programming, grants, contracts, and reporting.
- Establish and maintain strategic partnerships to support community health promotion and strengthen prevention, treatment, and recovery networks.
- Manage public outreach and community engagement through coordinated programming, events, and stakeholder communication.
- Facilitate planning committees, contribute to project development, and implement initiatives led by Anoka County.
- Lead data-informed initiatives by managing data collection, analyzing program and community data, and using findings to guide planning and continuous improvement across opioid and community health programs.
- Develop quarterly, annual, and program‑specific reports, analyze findings, and draft recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Research evidence‑based strategies, identify service gaps, and recommend best practices to advance Anoka County's public health goals.
- Contribute to community health assessment, community health improvement planning, and other department strategic planning activities as assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed
- Bachelor's degree in public health, behavioral science, social work, or a closely related field.
- Four years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in health program planning and/or project management in a related field.
- In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
- Successfully pass driver's license background check.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed
- Master's degree in public health, behavioral science, social work, or a closely related field.
- Two years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in substance use disorder treatment and/or education focused on prevention.
- Two years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience managing grants, budgets, and/or funding projects.
Physical Demands and Work Conditions
- Standard office environment, travel to various county work sites and meetings as needed.
- Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades and brightness.
- Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.
- Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required to perform job responsibilities.
- Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work.
- Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs.
- Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment.
- Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.
- Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Selection Process
It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.
Pre-employment Requirements
Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
About Anoka County
As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, Anoka County thrives because of the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. United by our mission- Commitment to Excellence: Through collaborative efforts, we seek to improve lives and serve with care, integrity, and professionalism- we offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences. Together, we work toward a single purpose of serving Anoka County's 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County!
Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment
Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further
Senior Program Specialist – Opioid Prevention
Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services Department (PHES) is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Program Specialist – Opioid Prevention. The Senior Program Specialist will plan, develop, implement, and coordinate opioid use disorder and opioid overdose prevention activities. This includes the management of opioid settlement funding and reporting.
Commitment to the community shines in the Public Health and Environmental Services (PHES) department. Every day the Health Promotion and Planning team strives to protect the health and safety of the community by working with community partners to create conditions for people to live healthy lives. Join Anoka County and be part of a great team protecting the health of its residents.
The Senior Program Specialist plays a key role in advancing Anoka County's public health initiatives, particularly those supported by the Opioid Settlement Fund. This position manages complex program operations, oversees grant and RFP processes, coordinates contracts and reporting requirements, and provides ongoing support to funded partners. The role also leads efforts related to naloxone distribution and harm reduction, maintains public communications including social media and website content, and facilitates community trainings, events, and partnerships.
This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position. Interviews will take place the week of 09/28/2026 for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.
Pay & Benefits
- Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 34: $74,214 to $103,896 annually ($35.68 to $49.95 per hour). 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.
- Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more.
- Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
- Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
- Advancement/professional development opportunities.
Work Location
- This position will work at the Anoka County Government Center located at 2100 3rd Avenue, Suite 600, Anoka, MN 55303.
- This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work, with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.
- Expected work hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Job Duties and Responsibilities These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Senior Program Specialist.
- Oversee operations for complex public health programs, with a primary focus on administration and coordination of the Opioid Settlement Fund.
- Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of policies and procedures for RFPs, grants, and contracts, including coordinating proposal development, facilitating leadership and purchasing review, organizing review teams, fielding applicant questions, supporting award processes, and ensuring timely payments.
- Meet regularly with RFP recipients, provide technical assistance, respond to requests, support reporting needs, and maintain organized tracking systems, folders, invoices, and documentation.
- Coordinate public health communications including social media posting, ADA‑compliant image preparation, website updates, and media activities in partnership with Communications staff. Support strategies to increase social media reach and engagement.
- Lead naloxone program activities including identifying and onboarding new naloxone access point sites, providing ongoing support to existing sites, and coordinating supply needs.
- Participate in and co-lead committee meetings and leadership groups with internal and external partners.
- Ensure compliance with state, federal, and local rules and regulations related to opioid‑related programming, grants, contracts, and reporting.
- Establish and maintain strategic partnerships to support community health promotion and strengthen prevention, treatment, and recovery networks.
- Manage public outreach and community engagement through coordinated programming, events, and stakeholder communication.
- Facilitate planning committees, contribute to project development, and implement initiatives led by Anoka County.
- Lead data-informed initiatives by managing data collection, analyzing program and community data, and using findings to guide planning and continuous improvement across opioid and community health programs.
- Develop quarterly, annual, and program‑specific reports, analyze findings, and draft recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Research evidence‑based strategies, identify service gaps, and recommend best practices to advance Anoka County's public health goals.
- Contribute to community health assessment, community health improvement planning, and other department strategic planning activities as assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed
- Bachelor's degree in public health, behavioral science, social work, or a closely related field.
- Four years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in health program planning and/or project management in a related field.
- In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
- Successfully pass driver's license background check.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed
- Master's degree in public health, behavioral science, social work, or a closely related field.
- Two years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in substance use disorder treatment and/or education focused on prevention.
- Two years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience managing grants, budgets, and/or funding projects.
Physical Demands and Work Conditions
- Standard office environment, travel to various county work sites and meetings as needed.
- Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades and brightness.
- Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.
- Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required to perform job responsibilities.
- Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work.
- Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs.
- Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment.
- Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.
- Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Selection Process
It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.
Pre-employment Requirements
Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
About Anoka County
As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, Anoka County thrives because of the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. United by our mission- Commitment to Excellence: Through collaborative efforts, we seek to improve lives and serve with care, integrity, and professionalism- we offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences. Together, we work toward a single purpose of serving Anoka County's 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County!
Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment
Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further
