Wake County

Drug & Injury Prevention Unit Manager

Wake County  •  Raleigh, NC (Onsite)  •  5 days ago
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Job Description

What You'll Be Doing

Wake County Public Health is seeking a dynamic, community‑focused
leader to drive our countywide strategy to prevent opioid and other
drug-related overdoses. As the Drug & Injury Prevention Unit Manager,
you will be at the forefront of a life‑saving public health initiative; bringing
partners together, advancing evidence‑based strategies, and helping build
healthier, safer communities.

This is an opportunity to lead meaningful change, strengthen
partnerships, and shape the future of substance use prevention and response in
Wake County.

What You’ll Do:

  • Lead the Drug
    Overdose Prevention Coalition and unite partners around evidence‑based
    strategies.
  • Support and
    supervise the Recovery Court Supervisor, including guidance on budgets,
    contracts, and personnel needs.
  • Manage all
    contracts, deliverables, and business processes for the county’s overdose
    prevention initiatives.
  • Serve as a key
    spokesperson; presenting program updates to leadership, stakeholders, and
    community groups.
  • Support syringe
    services, naloxone distribution, and other harm‑reduction efforts.
  • Coordinate
    substance‑use trainings for internal teams and community partners.
  • Work closely with
    Epidemiology, Behavioral Health, EMS, and community organizations to target
    outreach using real‑time data.
  • Oversee program
    evaluation, contribute to grant development, and help maintain Public Health
    Accreditation standards.
  • Partner with
    Communications to advance education and outreach around substance use.
  • Collaborate with
    the Opioid Settlement Program Manager on aligned prevention and recovery
    initiatives.
  • Prepares, justifies, and administers the program or project budget and oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results.
  • Monitors expenditures and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities and ensures the organization’s goals and objectives align with the County’s mission and vision.

**This position will require use of a personal vehicle
and a valid driver's license.**

NOTE: Upon acceptance
of employment you acknowledge that (i) if you
work in the Health Clinics and Public Health Division, influenza immunization
is a condition of initial and continued employment, subject to compliance with
federal law, (ii) actively supports and participates in department emergency
preparedness and response activities, which may include temporary changes in
responsibilities and working hours.


About Our Team

At the heart of the Wake County Public Health department is a dedicated team of professionals committed to protecting and improving the health of our community. We bring together expertise in communicable disease control, environmental health, health education, school health, clinical services, and population health to deliver responsive and equitable services. With a shared mission of promoting wellness, preventing disease, and ensuring access to essential services, we work collaboratively with partners and residents to build a healthier, more resilient community for all of Wake County.


The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

  • Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related field
  • Four years of experience in public health
  • Equivalent education and experience are accepted
  • Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.


Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)

  • Knowledge of and experience with substance use and mental health disorders
  • Experience with public speaking
  • Experience engaging with and speaking to various levels of leadership
  • Knowledge of drug treatment court model & best practice standards


How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

  • Ability to provide program oversight including budget and contract management
  • Ability to build constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect
  • Ability to follow fiscal guidelines, regulations, principles, and standards when committing fiscal resources or processing financial transactions and understands the organization's financial processes
  • Ability to effectively transfer thoughts and expresses ideas orally or verbally in individual or group situations
  • Ability to maintain professionalism
  • Maintains calmness in stressful or adverse situations and is able to diplomatically handles challenging or tense interpersonal situations
  • Ability to be adaptable and flexible - able to change behavioral style or method of approach when necessary to achieve a goal; adjusts style as appropriate to the needs of the situation
  • Responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives
  • Ability to treat others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
  • Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations
  • Perceives, assesses, and positively influences one's own and other individuals’ emotions


About This Position

Location: Public Health Building Raleigh, NC 27610

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: M-F 8:30-5:15; Weekends and evenings for events- adjust weekday schedule as needed

Hiring Range: 67,727-91,434

Market Range: 67,727.00 - 115,141.00

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 7/13/2026


What Makes Wake Great


Equal Opportunity Statement


Background Check Statement


Emergency Service Worker Statement

What Makes Wake Great


Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. In Fall 2026, two at-large seats will be added for nine total commissioners. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2026 General Fund budget is approximately $2.1 billion, and the County has over 5,100 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.

Equal Opportunity Statement


Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement


Position may require a background check that may
include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job
requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from
consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement


In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected.
Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during
and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

Wake County

About Wake County

Wake County Government provides services including tax collection, library services, local parks administration, planning and permitting, health and human services, law enforcement and more. Wake County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners.

Consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work in America, Wake County, North Carolina is home to NC State University, Shaw University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. Wake County is also the center of state government, with our Capitol Building, legislature and many government offices located in Raleigh.

Wake County is the most populous County in North Carolina. The County consists of 12 municipalities and includes Raleigh, the county seat and state capital. A unique mix of urban and rural small towns distinguishes Wake County from other counties and provides something for every lifestyle.

Industry
Government & Public Safety
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
Raleigh, NC
Year Founded
1771
Website
wake.gov
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