SAFER Workforce/713 Support Worker- Casual

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organization providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all. At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. For more info see www.avi.org

SAFER is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program that provides safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic drug supply. SAFER is located on the territories of the Lekwungen peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations). The SAFER Harm Reduction Workforce program provides dedicated access to prescribed safe supply for people who work in harm reduction services and otherwise meet the criteria for the service. The SAFER 713 Prescribed Safe Supply program provides access to prescribed safe supply for people who access the 713 drop-in who meet the criteria for service.

DOPES is a drop-in harm reduction program operating out of 713 Johnson Street. providing a range of services and support for people who use substances.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the Workforce/ 713 PSS Coordinator and SAFER Program Manager, the Casual SAFER Workforce/ 713 PSS Support Worker applies their lived/living experience of criminalized drug use to build and maintain relationships with SAFER participants. They will practice harm reduction in their relationships to build trust and provide peer support. The SAFER Support Worker will be integral to helping to establish and maintain a positive, respectful environment at the SAFER program space and to act as a SAFER ambassador in the community.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work collaboratively with the SAFER Workforce/ 713 PSS team to identify potential participants, provide information regarding access to pharmaceutical alternatives to street drugs, and assist with assessments and intakes.
Provide peer support in a variety of settings including on-site program space, parks, encampments, shelters, supported housing and drop-in centres, for example.
Distribute safer drug use supplies, safer sex supplies and naloxone kits, and provide information and training about their use.
Monitor and support people who are using substances. Assess for overdose symptoms and respond with SAFER Workforce/ 713 PSS team with rescue breathing and naloxone when necessary. Training is provided.
Maintain the safety of all program spaces by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents.
Provide harm reduction information and referrals for other health and social services.
Connect regularly with participants and offer peer support through active listening skills and non-judgmental attitude.
Liaise between participants, systems navigators, nurses and physicians to support participants to be heard and assist with keeping communication open and accessible.
Identify and develop safety plans with people who are using substances who are at increased risk of overdose.
Contribute to a positive, respectful environment at the program space and act as a SAFER Workforce/ 713 PSS ambassador in the community.
Attend regularly scheduled team meetings and individual supervision meetings.
Keep records and participate in ‘team charting’ to assure comprehensive documentation.
Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum two years’ experience working within harm reduction settings. Experience working with safer supply programs preferred.
Have lived/living experience with criminalized drug use and related health and social barriers. Have personal experience accessing harm reduction services for safer drug use support and/or accessed other services designed to meet the needs of people who use substances.
Experience responding to critical incidents and overdose, including administration of naloxone. Support to obtain first aid certificate is available if necessary.
Have a current knowledge of the local drug trends and can relate as a peer with SAFER participants.
Direct service delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and related provincial and community support services systems.
Comfortable approaching and initiating conversation with others and ability to build respectful rapport.
Interest in learning and eager to share information with peers with a non-judgmental attitude.
Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them
Working understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries.
Working knowledge in the areas of harm reduction, safer drug use, OAT, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, mental health, etc.
Commitment to honor Indigenous communities and ways of knowing, and approach learning about the ongoing impacts of colonial violence with humility.
Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to work in cooperation with others.
Ability to communicate clearly and with respect, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain rapport with participants and observe for changes in health and well-being.
Comfortable approaching and initiating conversation with others and ability to build respectful rapport.
Ability to work in settings that can be high energy and stressful with self-awareness.
Ability to keep a ‘cool head’ when tense situations arise and willingness to engage in proactive problem solving.
Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment.
Ability to work outdoors during all types of weather in all seasons.

POSITION DETAILS:

Pay: $30.64/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU pay grid 34)
Hours and Schedule: Potential shifts falling between Mon-Sun 09:00 am-05:00pm or 10:00am-06:00pm
Position: This is a casual position and runs till March 31, 2026
Location: 713 Johnson drop in and work in the community as needed
Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2022-2025 and this role is a BCGEU union position.
Pension: If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), you can continue with them at AVI immediately. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account. If you are not already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan, part time staff may become eligible after 2 years with AVI.
Other Perks: This position gets paid an extra 5% in lieu of vacation 5% in lieu of stats, meaning your hourly rate is actually 10% higher than listed.
Proof of Vaccination Required: AVI is under BC's Health Services Order and continues to require proof of vaccination.
Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.

TO APPLY:

Please email your resume and cover letter to jobs@avi.org by December 11, 2023, 5pm.

AVI is committed to equity and diversity, and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use/d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and/or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.