Health Promotion Educator

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

The South Island Education Team provides harm reduction and sex-positive education to service providers, community partners, and those with lived/living experience of substance use, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, sexual and gender diversity, etc. Through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Island Health and United Way, the South Island Education team seeks to reduce transmission of sexually transmitted bloodborne infections (STBBIs); increase access to prevention services; support those impacted by the toxic drug poisoning crisis; support testing initiatives; promote sexual health through sex-positive education; and increase capacity for low-barrier, person-centred harm reduction practices across Vancouver Island.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Health Promotion Educator – Harm Reduction provides programming, education, workshops, and support relating to Sexual Health (HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STBBIs) and Harm Reduction (substance use, overdose prevention & response). With a focus on people who use criminalized substances and service providers, the Health Promotion Educator – Harm Reduction will provide information and education on testing, treatment, and prevention strategies to increase community awareness and wellness and to reduce incidence of STBBIs in community. This position will also support the broader Education team by assisting with co-facilitation, outreach, events, and other health promotion/community development work as needed.

The successful candidate is someone with a strong understanding of harm reduction philosophy and practice. 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 reduces stigma and promotes the dignity and respect of the people we serve.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Works collaboratively with education team members and program participants to facilitate the design, implementation, delivery and evaluation of educational workshops, projects, and events including:

a. Facilitating workshops, programming, and presentations for a diversity of communities, both in person and online.

b. Community outreach and testing initiatives

c. Development and involvement with events such as Pride, World AIDS Day, and World Hepatitis Day

2. Provides one-on-one education, information, support, and referrals, in-person or online via email and social media.

3. Maintains up-to-date and accurate knowledge of HIV, HCV and other SBBTIs including prevention, transmission, treatment, and emerging trends in relation to at risk groups such as 2SLGBTQ+ people, youth who use drugs, women, Indigenous people, and people who have been incarcerated

4. Assists with the design, production, and distribution of promotional materials outlining available educational services to the community

5. Liaises and collaborates with other community organizations

6. Attends regular one-on-one and team check-in meetings

7. Where appropriate, provides training, mentorship, and supervision for other educators, volunteers and/or practicum students

8. Maintains files, statistics and records related to all areas of the program, electronic and paper, and reports on program work

9. Performs other related duties as assigned

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 of the requested education or training.

Demonstrated Experience in the following areas:

● Facilitating workshops and/or education initiatives

● Planning, promoting and launching activities and events, such as conferences, forums, and workshops.

● Working in solidarity with, and providing education to, people who have lived experience related to: living with HIV or hepatitis C; racialized oppression; membership in the 2SLGBTQ+ community; homelessness; sex work; using criminalized substances (in community and/or professionally)

● Working within harm reduction, OAT, HIV, hepatitis C, STI and/or overdose prevention and awareness

Education and Training:

● 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 poverty, racialization, gendered oppression, etc.)

● Good working knowledge of local health and social services

● Valid Class 5 BC Drivers' License and access to a vehicle, an asset

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

● Commitment to effective and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities

● 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, ableism, classism, homophobia and transphobia

● 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

● 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: $30.20/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU paygrid 31)

• Hours and Schedule: 15 hours per week; Monday to Friday, between 10am-6pm, with the specific days and times TBD collaboratively. Work on evenings and occasional weekends may be required

• Term: Position runs to March 31, 2025, with the possibility of extension dependent on funding

• Location: AVI Victoria and the community as needed.

• Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2019-2022 and this role is a BCGEU union position.

• Position Type: Regular, Part Time

• Benefits: This position will be eligible for extended health, life and AD&D coverage after 488 hours with AVI. AVI pays for the entire cost of the plan on behalf of its staff.

• 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 6.4% vacation (equivalent to 3 weeks), receives Stat In Lieu payments of 5% on each paycheque and has a Sick Bank of 6.9%. Sick and Vacation are both accessible after your first 488 hours at AVI.

• Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.

TO APPLY:

To apply, please click on Apply To Position and attach your resume and cover letter (optional). This posting is open until September 16, 2024, by 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.

As AVI is a union environment, internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.

We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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