PWP Support Worker- Full time- ROI

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 work within a social justice and health promotion framework ensuring equity and access to services for all and from a harm reduction perspective understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.

At the core of what we do is our ability and commitment to creating meaningful connections. between clients and staff between peers between staff members between organizations between communities and between funders and impactful programs. AVI provides comprehensive accessible and effective education prevention care treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria the Westshore Nanaimo the Comox Valley and Campbell River. For more info see

Join our supportive dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education prevention and/or support services.

POSITIVE WELLNESS PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Positive Wellness Program (PWP) gives care to people living with HIV and HCV in a wide variety of setting including 713 Johnson and in the community.

The Positive Wellness Program Victoria is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).

JOB SUMMARY:
The Positive Wellness Program Support Worker is responsible for the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or HCV. Under the supervision of the program manager staff will use a harm reduction model to give care to a wide variety of service users at 713 Johnson and in the community.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Actively engages with individuals who are living with or at risk for HIV/Hepatitis C using a collaborative person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction
2. Use brief assessment active listening and crisis response skills to help meet immediate basic needs and make appropriate referrals for people who use substances and those who have survived overdose(s) to other health and support services within the community.
3. Support clients to engage with various Ministries and agencies to ensure they receive maximum information and support.
4. Work with clients on issues such as housing medical legal and other support agencies
5. Visit clients at their homes and attends appointments with service users in the community.
6. Distribute harm reduction supplies and provides education and support regarding safer substance use and safer sex
7. Conduct individual or group education sessions and compiles educational materials to meet clients needs as required
8. Provide onsite supervision support and continues to develop the client drop-in program
9. Deliver meals on foot or in a vehicle to clients
10. Work with our cook to help prepare serve and bag meals for clients
11. Work in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services
12. Maintain both paper and electronic confidential client files
13. Support reception staff with answering phones and the distribution of harm reduction supplies.
14. Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum of 2 years experience that includes the following:

• Direct service delivery within harm reduction or health promotion settings.
• Advocacy within community-based and provincial support services and systems (financial aid housing healthcare justice system etc.)
• Establishing rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.

Education and Training:

• University degree in health or social service field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Training or experience in a non-violent and anti-oppressive de-escalation and crisis intervention.
• Strong working knowledge of issues and resources related to harm reduction/health promotion safer using practices HIV/AIDS Hepatitis C poverty issues mental health and substance use.
• Valid Class 5 BC Drivers License with Normal driver status and Drivers Abstract an asset (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).

Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships with a trauma-informed and decolonial lens.
2. Ability to apply harm reduction principles and health promotion framework to support work.
3. Excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills and demonstrated commitment to working within a collaborative team approach.
4. Understanding of the impact on individual health and well-being as well as the considerations for service delivery related to systemic barriers associated with poverty mental health substance use trauma racism ongoing colonialism heterosexism and gender discrimination
5. Computer skills including ability to navigate client files databases email and word-processing.
6. Ability to receive feedback from supervisors and integrate into goal setting and future practice.
7. Capacity to attend work consistently and work in a highly self-directed environment including responding to community needs and problem solving with flexibility creativity and assertiveness.

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 paygrid 34)
• Hours and Schedule: 37.5 hours per week. Shifts falling between Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
• Position: Full Time
• Start and end date: As soon as possible and is ending March 31 2027 or upon return of incumbent
• Location: AVI Victoria Office and with work in the community as needed
• 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.
• Benefits: This position will be eligible for extended health life and AD&D coverage effective the 1^st of the month following completion of the 6 month- period. AVI pays for the entire cost of the plan on behalf of its staff.
• BC Transit ProPASS: AVI participates in the BC Transit ProPASS program in Victoria offering staff a 15% discount on annual transit passes. This brings the cost down to approximately $72.25 per month. Its a great way to save money and enjoy a stress-free ride to work.
• Pension: If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) you will be enrolled with them at AVI immediately. If not you will be eligible to join the Municipal Pension Plan after one year of being in that return of incumbent position. At this time AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
• Other Perks: This position gets 6.4% vacation (equivalent to 3 weeks) receives a paid day off for every Stat Holiday and Easter Monday and accrues a Sick Bank of 6.9%. Sick and Vacation Days are both available to be used 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 To apply to position and submit your Resume and Cover letter(optional) by 5 pm on Marchpm

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.