Unit Manager – SAFE Pathways

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Unit Manager – SAFE Pathways

$66,539.20 – $99,320 / Posted Thru: 1-11-2026

Location: Hybrid – Lansing, MI Office

Required Tuesday & Thursday In-Office

Purpose: The SAFE Pathways Unit Manager serves as a first-line professional manager overseeing staff engaged in Michigan’s State Opioid Response initiatives. This role provides leadership and supervision for work related to epidemiology, health education and training, program coordination, and system-level strategies aimed at reducing adverse health outcomes associated with substance use. The Unit Manager oversees staff who collaborate closely with law enforcement, community-based organizations, and other partners serving individuals impacted by substance use and opioid use disorders. The position ensures that all initiatives are grounded in trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, evidence-based practices, and innovative approaches. A key responsibility of this role is supporting staff with the implementation and expansion of diversion-focused programs and law enforcement training efforts across the state of Michigan. This position is responsible for executing directives and priorities established by the Michigan Legislature, MDHHS leadership, and the Opioid Task Force. The SAFE Pathways Unit Manager may also coordinate with the section’s financial analyst to oversee grant performance and support the strategic allocation of funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages staff within the unit, coordinating activities and work assignments to ensure timely and quality completion of assigned work.
• Identifies staff training and support to ensure staff have resources necessary to complete work assignments.
• Directs and participates in the establishment, administration, and evaluation of programs.
• Directs and participates in the development, interpretation, evaluation and recommendation of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations for the effective operation of programs.
• Develops strategies to address and resolve personnel and programmatic issues.
• Participates in the strategic design and implementation of Michigan’s harm reduction and opioid response work, in collaboration with other opioid response staff.
• Assist MDHHS in responding to public health emergencies.
• Maintain proficiency with Section, CDC and HIPAA confidentiality and security guidelines.
• Maintain a positive, strong, credible, professional, and interpersonal relationship with all parties relevant to MPHI/MDHHS projects and always represents the best interest of MPHI/MDHHS.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education: A bachelor’s degree in any major required.

experience: Four years of professional experience. Experience working in harm reduction, opioid response work or social justice is preferred.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Knowledge of the initiation, development, and evaluation of public programs or services.
• Knowledge of the economic, social, political, and business conditions of the state.
• Knowledge of the legislative process and governmental organization and structure.
• Knowledge of training and supervisory techniques.
• Knowledge of the principles of administrative management, including budgeting techniques, office procedures, and reporting.
• Knowledge of the tools of management, such as methods development, cost analysis, procedural manuals, training materials, operating controls, records and reports, and studies applicable in evaluating programs or services.
• Ability to instruct, direct, and evaluate employees.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate a variety of data for use in program development and analysis.
• Ability to analyze and assess operations from the standpoint of management controls, systems, and procedures.
• Ability to establish program or service procedures, policies, or guidelines and to relate these to objectives.
• Ability to organize, evaluate, and present information effectively.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations relative to the work.
• Ability to formulate plans, procedures, and controls in a program or service area.
• Ability to maintain favorable public relations.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to organize and coordinate the work of others.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:Job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment of <25# and involves viewing a CRT or VDT screen 50% to 75% of the time. Standard office environment. Requires valid vehicle operator’s license where needed to perform duties of the position. Frequent deadlines. In-state and out-of-state travel for related meetings.</span>

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: This position will be responsible for the work of public health epidemiologists, program coordinators, and health educators related to the State of Michigan’s Opioid Response.

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: This position is responsible for overseeing the work of staff in the unit, directing projects that ensure Michigan residents have access to services, and collaborating with other staff in the division to align operations that ultimately reduce negative health outcomes associated with substance use.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION

For purposes of employment standards, this classification is “Exempt” from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act

MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

MPHI is an EEO employer that participates with e-verify.