Casual Part-Time Support Workers

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) increases health equity by providing highly responsive harm reduction -based HIV hepatitis C substance use sexual health mental health and other community health services and is informed by the voices of people with living experience. We envision a community where people can experience optimal health and wellness and be free from stigma marginalization and criminalization. With the support of the Housing Overdose Prevention and Support (HOPS) Team Lead and Harm Reduction Teams Manager the Housing Overdose Prevention and Support Worker provides harm-reduction based support to people living in supportive housing and shelter settings including witnessed consumption overdose response safety planning and safer use education. The HOPS Worker will utilize a relational approach to develop a sense of connection and community that promotes health and wellbeing of building residents. The team will also support ongoing peer and community-based responses to overdose including through the provision of a peer resident responder program.
A high level of empathy humility and non-judgement is essential for relationship building in this role. The successful applicant will also be confident in overdose response and be knowledgeable on current harm reduction practices sexually transmitted and blood borne infections and local social support resources. This knowledge and approach will allow the team to build a network of support and care around building residents and to build the capacity of peer resident responders to provide harm reduction support to others in the building. This position relies on flexibility and self-motivation including the ability to identify and respond to the needs of the residents and the larger community.
Provides a variety of harm reduction-based supports to individuals living in supportive housing and shelter settings including distribution and recovery of harm reduction supplies.
Monitors and assesses symptoms of overdose and responds appropriately using naloxone rescue breathing and oxygen.
Provides education on overdose response and safer substance use residents and develops individual safety plans around substance use.
Supports the provision of a peer responder program by providing support and debriefing to responders and facilitates connection between residents and peer workers.
Works in collaboration with partner agencies including other HOPS providers to provide training and skill development that builds the capacity of peer-led initiatives.
Facilitates access to local services related to substance use social issues and health/wellness
Collaborates with housing operator to develop shared safety and care plans. Communicates resident concerns to the operator and operator expectations to the residents.
Diploma in the field of health or social service or equivalent combination of education and experience.
First Aid training and experience responding to overdose and adverse reactions to substances including administering naloxone and oxygen.
Relevant training or experience in a non-violent and anti-oppressive approach to de-escalation and crisis intervention
Strong working knowledge of local health and social services resources
Valid Class 5 BC Drivers License with Normal driver status and Drivers Abstract (AVI will review the past 1 year and driving records will need to have no suspensions or prohibitions and a Drivers Factor below 1.1) an asset.
Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships with a trauma informed and decolonial lens
Demonstrated understanding of harm reduction principles and health promotion framework as they apply to support work.
Demonstrated ability to provide support based in social justice relationality cultural humility and trauma-informed practice.
Ability to work in a variety of environments including outdoors in all weather around substance use and inside of resident suites.
Demonstrated capacity to consistently attend work and remain ready to work while on shift.
Experience working collaboratively within a team environment to support coworkers with differing skill sets and abilities.
Demonstrated capacity to work in an environment that is highly self-directed and requires flexibility to respond to community needs.
Hours and Schedule: Casual shifts falling between Monday to Friday 11:00AM to 6:30PM.
Term: Starting as soon as possible and position runs until November 30 2027 subject to ongoing funding.
Starting and ending at housing site to be determined with work at the AVI Victoria office and in community as needed.
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.
This job posting is open until January 5 2025 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.
It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and/or have lived/living expertise relevant to the position.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.