SAFER and Workforce Systems Navigator - Casual Call

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 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

SAFER is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program that provides pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic drug supply. SAFER is located on the territories of the Lekwungen peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations). The SAFER Harm Reduction Workforce program provides dedicated access to prescribed alternatives for people who work in harm reduction services and otherwise meet the criteria for the service. The SAFER 713 Prescribed Alternative program provides access to prescribed safe supply for people who access the 713 drop-in who meet the criteria for service.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the SAFER Program Manager, the Casual SAFER Systems Navigator will provide coordination, care-planning and system navigation for the SAFER clinic and opportunities to cover for the Workforce program as well. They will coordinate care in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team. They will practice harm reduction in their relationships to build trust and assist participants in their engagement with the program and connect them to other health and social supports. This role will provide support to participants accessing pharmaceutical alternatives through the SAFER and Workforce programs.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide assessments, intake and care planning and light case management to identified participants in the programs, including identifying and addressing any barriers to accessing prescribed alternatives. (PA)
2. Use System User Design and Nothing About Us Without Us principles to contribute to the program and ensure continuous feedback is incorporated into program design and delivery.
3. Work both independently (under the Working Alone Policy, when appropriate) and collaboratively with the SAFER team to provide psychosocial supports for participants in the community, as well as at the program site as appropriate/if required for minimum staffing.
4. Work in partnership with the participants to support resolution of any issues with prescribers, pharmacies and other external providers.
5. Provide outreach-based supports in the community including accompaniment to appointments, home visits, and advocacy in accordance with the established care plans.
6. Use brief assessment, crisis response, and counselling skills to help meet immediate, basic needs (e.g. applications and follow-up regarding housing, income, identification, etc.) and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services.
7. Distribute safer drug use supplies, safer sex supplies and naloxone kits, and provide information on harm reduction practices, overdose prevention and overdose response.
8. Work with SAFER and Workforce team participants to navigate administrative and financial requirements for access to pharmaceuticals according to care plan.
9. Liaise between SAFER participants and SAFER team members to support participants and assist with collaborative and proactive problem-solving as needed.
10. Maintain confidential records in accordance with privacy requirements.
11. Engage in planning, evaluation, reporting, and program development as required.
12. Foster safety by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents.
13. Assist with overdose response other medical emergencies as required.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in health or social services, Counselling, Social Work, Psychology, etc. or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of four years of demonstrated experience in the direct delivery of social services, ideally in harm reduction services including light case management and safe supply programs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, program participants, community, and other service providers.
• Direct service delivery and advocacy experience with community-based and provincial support services and systems (income, housing, healthcare, legal systems, etc.).
• Demonstrated practice of social justice, anti-racism, decolonization and trauma-informed care.
• Demonstrated understanding of public health and equity-oriented models of social support and health care.
• Commitment to harm reduction principles and practice, with experience working alongside coworkers, and with program participants, who experience intersecting systemic oppression.
• Commitment to honor and learn about local Indigenous communities and to recognize the ongoing impacts of colonial violence.
• Demonstrated ability to provide support and advocate for a diverse range of individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant barriers to their health and well-being.
• Demonstrated empathic observer invested in respectful relationship-building.
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer sex and safer drug use practices, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, poverty, trauma and mental health.
• Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques.
• Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility, assertiveness and a ‘cool head’ in dealing with complex issues.
• Experience with data collection and reporting tasks.
• First Aid certification and experience responding to critical incidents and overdose, including administration of naloxone.
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and use of own vehicle for work purposes.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment.
• Practiced advocacy skills and ability to effectively navigate complex and convoluted systems access requirements of various health and social supports (e.g. income, housing, healthcare, treatment options, etc.).
• Excellent prioritization and time management skills, including ability to triage crises, urgent demands and complex situations within assigned working hours.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of stakeholders including people impacted by poverty, substance use, criminalization, people who use drugs, service providers, funders and other community members.
• Case Management skills including advocacy and referral.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and versatile in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to establish and maintain respectful rapport with individuals who have experienced trauma and abuse due to structural violence, stigma and discrimination.
• Ability to anticipate and identify challenges and proactively address through collaborative problem-solving.
• Crisis intervention skills with a diverse population facing significant structural barriers.
• Ability to work outdoors during all types weather in all seasons.

POSITION DETAILS:

• Pay: $36.06/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU pay grid 38)
• Hours and Schedule: Casual availability to fill shifts Monday to Friday, 9:15 am to 5:15 pm.
• Start date and End date: ASAP and continuing until March 31, 2027 (hopefully extended with funding)
• Position Type: Casual
• Number of positions available: 1-3
• Location: SAFER Clinic, 713 Johnson Street and work in the community as needed
• Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2025-2029 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, send your resume (mandatory) and cover letter through the portal you are viewing this ad on. This posting is open until filled.

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, people who are 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.