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 more than 500 people living with HIV and hepatitis C and more than 3000 harm reduction clients. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework – ensuring equity and access to services for all – and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.
At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. AVI provides comprehensive, accessible and effective education, prevention, care, treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, the Westshore, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River. For more info see www.avi.org
Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred 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.
Westshore AVI Health Centre provides healthcare and support to people over 50 who use substance and are living in the Western Communities.
Peer Project:
Westshore AVI Health Centre, in partnership with the United Way Health Aging initiative, was successful in receiving funding to develop and roll out 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.
Job Summary:
Under the direct supervision of the Westshore Clinic Coordinator or designate, the Peer Project Educator oversees the design, implementation and delivery of educational workshops, projects, and events related to the Peer project. 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.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- In consultation with the Westshore Clinic Coordinator or designate the Peer Project 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, focus and support groups and wellness activities with community members with lived experience to develop project content.
- Provides education about harm reduction, opiate agonist 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. Provides education about the impact of colonisation, racism and structural marginalisation on health and wellbeing.
- 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.
- Provides other health promotion/community development work as needed.
- Maintains up-to-date and accurate knowledge of STBBI including prevention, transmission, treatment, and emerging trends, in particular in relation to risk groups such as GBMSM, substance users, women, Indigenous peoples, and people in the criminal justice system.
- 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.
- Completes and submits monthly report that includes budget and program updates.
- Keeps records and statistics and make reports about services provided as requested.
- 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.
- Attends team meetings and supervision as necessary.
Qualifications:
- 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
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience working within harm reduction, OAT, STBBI prevention and awareness and/or community development and/or program development
- Experience accessing local, provincial and federal services and benefits for people over 50.
- Experience in developing and delivering peer education and/or health related workshops and trainings for people over 50, or equivalent experience
- Demonstrated experience planning and facilitating education and development activities and events, such as conferences, forums, and workshops
- Good knowledge of areas of vulnerability for older adults using substances and/or who are 2SLGBTQIA+ including discrimination, structural racism and colonisation in health care.
- Good knowledge of health and social services, particularly in the Western Communities and Victoria.
- Experience working with people from a diversity of backgrounds.
- Comfortable approaching and initiating conversation with others and ability to build good rapport.
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices.
- Demonstrated cultural safety and humility, and trauma-informed practices.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers
- Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with volunteers, co-workers and community partners.
- Good understanding of the importance of confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Good computer skills, including databases, word-processing, graphics and social media (ie. Microsoft Publisher, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
- Employment subject to criminal record check for working with vulnerable populations
- Valid Class 5 BC Drivers’ License and access to a personal vehicle, an asset.
Skills and Abilities:
- Strong project coordination skills, including time management, workload and budget management.
- Commitment to honor local Indigenous communities and to recognize the ongoing impacts of colonial violence.
- Committed to social justice, equity, anti-racism and decolonization.
- Strong public speaking and group facilitation skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers
- Ability to provide/receive feedback, and engage in proactive problem solving.
- Ability to apply conflict resolution and de-escalation skills when tense situations arise.
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings
Position Details:
- Hours and Schedule: On a casual basis - 2-3 days per week between Monday and Friday
- Pay: $25.27/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU wage grid 31)
- 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 9.7% towards your pension account.
- Other Perks: This position gets paid an extra 5% in lieu of vacation and 4.6% in lieu of stats, meaning your hourly rate is actually 9.6% higher than listed.
To Apply: please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@avi.org by 5pm on April 24, 2022
AVI is committed to equity and diversity. 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.
It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and have lived/living expertise relevant to the position.
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.