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 more than 500 people living with HIV and hepatitis C and more than 3000 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 program 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 Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the direct supervision of the SAFER Program Coordinator/713PA Team Lead, the SAFER/713 PA 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 spaces and to act as a SAFER ambassador in the community. This position is Minimum Baseline Staffing for a busy prescribed alternatives program space. The importance of being able to commit to the days and times of the shifts is imperative for the success of the program.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work collaboratively with the SAFER team to identify potential participants, provide information regarding access to pharmaceutical alternatives to street drugs, and assist with assessments and intakes.
Witness doses & record times as delegated by nursing team in the most dignified way possible.
Welcome participants into the program space.
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 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 SAFER participants and offer 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.
In conjunction with other SAFER staff, 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 SAFER program spaces and act as a SAFER ambassador in the community.
Attending regularly scheduled team meetings and individual supervision meetings.
Keep records and participate in ‘team charting’ to ensure comprehensive documentation.
Maintaining cleanliness in the space; ensuring booths and the washroom are properly sanitized after each use.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Key qualification: Have lived/living experience with criminalized drug use and related health and social barriers. (adjacent experience also considered)
Minimum two years’ experience that includes the following:
Direct service delivery within harm reduction settings. (Experience working with safer supply programs an asset)
Experience responding to critical incidents and overdose, including administration of naloxone.
Establishing rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.
Working understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries.
Education, training and life learned
First aid training
Have a current knowledge of the local drug trends and can relate as a peer with SAFER participants.
Demonstrated understanding of the role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them.
Working knowledge in the areas of harm reduction, safer drug use, OAT, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, mental health, etc.
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 respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma informed and decolonial lens
Ability to establish and maintain rapport with participants and observe changes in health and well-being.
Comfortable approaching and initiating conversation with others and ability to build 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: $31.56/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: This is a casual position. Shifts falling between Monday to Sunday , 09:30 am to 5:30 pm (SAFER) & 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM (713PA)
Position: This is a casual position
Location: 713 Johnson drop in and the SAFER clinic
Number of positions available: Multiple positions available
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.
Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.
TO APPLY:
To apply, please submit your resume and Cover letter by clicking on 'APPLY TO POSITION'. by November 16, 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.
As AVI is a union environment, internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.
Accommodation is 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.
