Drug User Health Surveyor

HEALTH FEDERATION OF PHILADELPHIA•Philadelphia, PA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Working within the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR), the Temporary Drug User Health Surveyor supports implementation of the 2026 Philadelphia Drug User Health Survey (DUHS), a mixed-methods public health study examining overdose risk, drug use trends, harm reduction practices, and health outcomes among people who use drugs (PWUD) in Philadelphia. The Temporary Surveyor will conduct community-based outreach and participant engagement, administer eligibility screeners and structured surveys using REDCap, assist with and administer qualitative interviews, and distribute harm reduction resources and referrals. The Drug User Health Surveyor will work closely with the SUPHR Harm Reduction Team to support accurate data collection, participant-centered engagement, and safe field operations at DUHS mobile sites and other community locations throughout Philadelphia.

Requirements

Knowledge of substance use terminology, overdose prevention, and harm reduction principles.
Experience engaging with people who use drugs, including individuals experiencing homelessness, in Philadelphia.
Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with diverse populations in community settings.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism while working with sensitive information.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in fast-paced field environments.
Sensitivity to and experience working with racially, ethnically, culturally, and sexually diverse individuals and communities.
Skilled in Microsoft Office and basic computer applications.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, behavioral health, psychology, sociology, or related field preferred; OR High school diploma with commensurate lived or professional experience in harm reduction, outreach, or public health field work.
Experience conducting surveys, interviews, outreach, or field-based public health activities preferred.
Experience with REDCap or other electronic survey/data collection platforms preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct field-based outreach and participant recruitment at DUHS mobile sites and community locations throughout Philadelphia.
Obtain verbal informed consent and administer eligibility screeners using REDCap on tablets or laptops.
Administer structured surveys and qualitative interviews to eligible participants in English and/or Spanish.
Provide participants with harm reduction supplies, overdose prevention education, and referrals to social support services as appropriate.
Support mobile outreach site setup, operations, and breakdown.
Maintain accurate electronic data collection procedures and ensure confidentiality and secure handling of study information.
Monitor participant well-being and notify supervisory staff of safety concerns, emotional distress, intoxication, or other situations requiring intervention.
Assist with recruitment tracking, appointment follow-up, and participant engagement activities.
Other DUHS-related duties as assigned.