South Island Education Peer Project

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organisation 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

Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centered team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services.

AVI SOUTH ISLAND EDUCATION PEER PROJECT – OLDER AND WISER:

Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centered Education team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex- positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services. Our South Island Education Team provides education and support relating to: HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, STBBIs, substance use, harm reduction, overdose prevention and response, sexual and gender diversity, sexual decision-making, testing, treatment, and prevention strategies as a means of increasing community awareness and wellness and reducing the further incidence of STBBIs.

We provide support to, and work in solidarity with, people who have lived/living experience of HIV or hepatitis C, membership in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and using criminalized substances. The South Island Education Team is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees Nations), and we acknowledge the ways in which colonization is inextricably linked to the topics we discuss. The disproportionate impact of criminalization, the war on people who use drugs, the overdose crisis, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS on Indigenous communities is a direct and intentional result of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization.

JOB SUMMARY:

In partnership with the United Way Health Aging initiative, AVI was successful in receiving continued funding to for a peer education training program based in the Westshore to foster community building, provide harm reduction education, and promote resiliency with community members over 50. The Older & Wiser Peer Project Educator provides programming, education, referrals, and support relating to: HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, STIs, substance use, harm reduction, overdose prevention and response, STIBBI testing, treatment, and prevention, and accessing local, provincial, and federal services and benefits for people over 50 years old.

Under the direct supervision of the South Education Team Coordinator, the Older & Wiser Project Peer Educator oversees the design, implementation and delivery of educational workshops, projects, and events in collaboration with the other team members and project participants. This position will organize, support, and administer all aspects of the project including budgets, reporting, and project content development. This position will also assist and support program participants.

The successful candidate is someone who has experience developing and delivering peer education and/or health related workshops and trainings for people over 50, and who has lived/living experience with substance use, 2SLGBTQ+ Community, and/or Indigenous cultures and communities, either personally or as a partner, parent, family member, support or caregiver. Familiarity with Westshore based resources and services is also an asset. They are someone who embodies collaboration, works from a relational perspective, and is supportive and empathetic. They uphold AVI’s harm reduction, social justice, trauma-informed care and cultural humility values with staff and people accessing our services. They support and ensure that the South Island Education Team promotes the dignity and respect of the people we serve.

Specific hours and location (within the Westshore area) to be announced, with the possibility of both day and evening shifts between Monday-Friday, likely two days a week.

The expected outcomes for this project are to:

• Improve older adults' confidence and ability to navigate community‐based, provincial, and national senior’s services.
• Increase older adults' utilization of community‐based/provincial/national resources & supports.
• Improve older adults' quality of life (e.g., improved health, ability to live at home, etc.).
• Increase older adults' sense of social connectedness and empowerment.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In consultation with the South Education Team Coordinator, the Older & Wiser Peer Educator oversees the design, implementation and delivery of educational workshops, projects, and events related to the project.
• Recruits participants for the peer education sessions, workshops, support groups, and/or wellness activities.
• Develops and co‐facilitates peer education sessions and wellness activities, with input from community members who are over 50, to develop project content.
• Provides education about harm reduction, opiate agonist/antagonist treatment (OAT), overdose prevention, safer substance use, stigma, colonization and structural racism, Indigenous resistance, 2SLBGTQIA+ culture, values, needs, strengths and realities, safer sex practices, sexual health for 2SLBGTQIA+ folks.
• Assists with the design, production, and distribution of promotional materials.
• Maintains adherence to the development and implementation of the pre‐established goals and objectives, and evaluation measures as laid out in the grant application.
• Maintains up‐to‐date and accurate knowledge of STBBIs including prevention, transmission, treatment, and emerging trends, particularly in relation to risk factors for people over 50.
• Offers peer support using active listening skills, maintaining a non‐judgmental attitude, and keeping professional boundaries.
• Maintains up‐to‐date and accurate knowledge of pathways to accessing local, provincial, and federal services and supports for folks over 55.
• Maintains up‐to‐date and accurate knowledge of services and supports for Indigenous community members.
• Liaises with community agencies to maximize educational opportunities and services.
• Maintains files, stats and records related to all areas of the program, electronic and paper, including financials and program updates.
• Attends team meetings and supervision as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS:

AVI values having a team with diverse experiences and encourages anyone with lived/living experience and relevant qualifications to apply even if you do not have all the requested education or training.Lived experience with; substance use, 2SLGBTQIA2S+ cultures and communities, Indigenous cultures, and communities either personally or as a partner, parent, family member, support, or caregiver an asset.

• Demonstrated experience facilitating workshops and/or education initiatives.
• Experience accessing local, provincial, and federal services and benefits for people over 50.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of HIV, hepatitis C, harm reduction, substance use and sexual health, or related facets of wellness that includes an intersectional perspective (i.e., acknowledges such factors as ageism, poverty, racialization, gendered oppression, etc.).
• Strong project coordination skills, including time, budget, and workload management.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice principles and practices, including harm reduction, anti-racism, decolonization, combating stigma related to drug use, HIV, hepatitis C, and challenging gendered oppression, ageism, ableism, classism, homophobia, and transphobia.
• Good knowledge of Westshore-based health and social services.
• Valid Class 5 BC Drivers’ License and access to a vehicle, an asset.
• Employment subject to criminal record check for working with vulnerable populations (i.e., outstanding charges and convictions for physical or sexual abuse).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to build relationships, collaborate and work effectively with co-workers, clients, community partners and service providers.
• Strong public speaking and group facilitation skills.
• Strong project and event coordination skills, including time, workload, and budget management.
• Solid experience working with diverse populations.
• Good understanding of the importance of confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to provide/receive feedback and engage in proactive problem solving.
• Ability to apply conflict resolution and de‐escalation skills when tense situations arise.
• Good computer skills, including databases, word-processing, graphics, and social media (i.e., Microsoft Office suite; Facebook, Twitter, Zoom, etc.).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends when needed.

POSITION DETAILS:

• Pay: $29.32/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU pay grid 31)
• Hours and Schedule:
• Position 1: 12 hours per week, possibility of day and evening shifts between Monday-Friday, likely two days a week.
• Position 2: 2 hours per week, possibility of day and evening shifts between Monday-Friday
• Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area/Location may be subject to change.
• Start Date: ASAP
• End Date: March 31, 2024
• Location: Westshore
• 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 10% higher than listed.
• Afternoon Shift Premium: Afternoon Shift Premium of an additional $0.25/hour applies to any shifts that have at least 50% of their time scheduled between 4 pm and midnight. As such, some of the shifts of this ad qualify for an additional $0.25/hour premium.
• Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.