We're Hiring: Health Promotion Educator (Youth Outreach Program) - Courtenay and Campbell River

Summary of the Position:

Grid Level: 31, $23.33/hour

Work Location: AVI Courtenay/Comox, 355 6th St, Courtenay

                                AVI Campbell River, 1371c Cedar Street, Campbell River

Hours of Work: 15 hours/week, exact days and times to be determined with successful candidate

Start Date: February 3, 2020

To apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@avi.org by 5:00pm on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

Job Summary:
The Health Promotion Educator ‐ Youth Outreach Program provides programming, education, and support relating to: HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, STIs, substance use, harm reduction, 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 with a focus on the needs of youth (ages 13 – 25) on Northern Vancouver Island.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Facilitates presentations and workshops providing HIV/AIDS prevention education information, harm reduction and sexual decision making to general and alternate school and communitybased audiences.
  2. Participates in the design, implementation, and delivery of youth peer helper training on a variety of topics: HIV/AIDS, HCV, STIs, prevention, testing and treatment, safer sex and substance use, and peer support to youth participants of the Youth at Risk project.
  3. Assists in the coordination of the “Love Shack” youth peer event outreach program and youth team: this includes volunteer recruitment, training and mentorship; coordination and booking of event outreach; order and coordinate food, tents, audio visual equipment on the day of the event, etc.
  4. Provides outreach, education and healthcare/social service navigation support to youth in the Courtney region, and surrounding area.
  5. Participates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of educational activities as needed
  6. Maintains up‐to‐date and accurate knowledge of HIV, HCV and STIs including prevention, transmission, treatment, and emerging trends in relation to risk groups such as GBMSM, youth who use drugs, women, Indigenous people, and people who have been incarcerated.
  7. In consultation with the manager, orders and/or creates, collates and distributes educational materials and safer sex packs to youth participants and youth partner agencies.
  8. Communicates with community‐based organizations, regarding issues related to HIV, HCV, STIs, safer sex and substance use for youth.
  9. Provides overdose recognition and response training
  10. Participates in the reporting of program activities as needed.
  11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Education, Training, and Experience:

  • University degree in health or social sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • A minimum of 2 years’ experience working within HIV/AIDS, HCV and/or STI prevention and awareness and/or community development and support for youth
  • Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices
  • Demonstrated experience facilitating workshops and education initiatives with and for youth
  • Demonstrated experience and knowledge of drug use amongst youth
  • Demonstrated experience planning, promoting and launching public education and development activities and events, such as conferences, forums, and workshops for youth
  • Experience working with and providing education to diverse populations of youth including street involved communities; Indigenous people; queer communities; trans people; GB2SMSM; people who use criminalized substances; sex trade workers; multicultural and disability communities
  • Relevant current experience, skills, and knowledge related to issues impacting youth on Northern Vancouver Island, an asset
  • Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and access to vehicle

Skills and Abilities:

  • Srong public speaking and group facilitation skills, as well as the ability to train peer educators and volunteers
  • Strong project coordination skills, including time management, workload, and budget management
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co‐workers, clients, community, and other service providers
  • Holistic understanding of HIV/AIDS, HCV, and STIs (transmission, prevention, treatment, related psycho‐social issues, etc.), substance use, harm reduction, sexual health, homophobia/heterosexism/transphobia, anti‐oppression work and intersectionality, Indigenous health, population health and health promotion strategies
  • Knowledge and experience working with a diverse clientele facing significant structural vulnerability
  • Good computer skills, including databases, word‐processing, and social media (i.e., Microsoft Publisher, Photoshop, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients
  • Knowledge of community resources for youth
  • Ability to analyze and resolve problems
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends when needed

We encourage applications from, but not limited to, Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, persons living with disabilities, persons who use/d illicit drugs, persons with experience of sex work, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.