Health Promotion Educator

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

AVI Health Centre is a Community Health Centre (CHC) in Nanaimo. We provide Primary Care, HIV, Substance Use, STBBI, PrEP, PEP, and HCV medical services, as well as outreach, supports, and social programming for our clients.

We also provide education services for the communities we support and for health and social services students and professionals that work with the same communities.

Our services are delivered across the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw, Stz'uminus, and Snaw'naw'as People.

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.

JOB SUMMARY :

The Health Promotion Educator provides programming, education, and support relating to : HIV / AIDS, hepatitis, STIs, substance use, sexuality / sexual decision-making, testing, treatment, and prevention strategies as a means of increasing community awareness and wellness, and reducing the further incidence of HIV, HCV, STIs, and other related blood-borne illnesses with a focus on the needs of the 2SLGBT+ community on Vancouver Island.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

1. In consultation with the Health Promotion Team Lead, peer educators, and program participants, the Health Promotion Educator facilitates the design, implementation, delivery and evaluation of educational workshops, projects, and events related to HIV, HCV, other STI's, gender, stigma, and homophobia.

2. Facilitates presentations and workshops to a diversity of queer communities, as well as service providers and post-secondary students.

3. Provides supervision, support, training, and mentorship to peer educators.

4. Provides education, information, support, and referrals via phone, email and drop-ins.

5. Maintains up-to-date and accurate knowledge of HIV, HCV and STI's including prevention, transmission, treatment, and emerging trends, with particular focus on how it impacts the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

6. Assists with the design, production, and distribution of promotional material

7. Increases our presence and maintains and uses various social media platforms to engage with target populations, including : Grindr, Squirt, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

8. Provides support and education for 2SLGBTQI+ youth by attending SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance) groups in local secondary schools, as well as offering professional development training to teachers

9. Works collaboratively with other AVI staff as well as community partners to develop and implement relevant programs (e.g. PrEP testing nights)

10. Creates community building, support and educational programs / events for GBMSM

11. Liaises with other community organizations to maximize educational opportunities and services

12. Participates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of educational activities as needed

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

14. Promotes services including use of social media relevant to the 2SLGBTQI+ community

15. Performs other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS :

• A minimum of 2 years' experience working with HIV / AIDS, HCV and / or STI prevention and awareness and / or community development and support
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License and own vehicle required
• Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma informed and decolonial lens
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the 2SLGBTQI+ community
• Experience developing, delivering, promoting and evaluating educational workshops
• Demonstrated experience planning, promoting and launching public education and development activities and events, such as conferences, forums, and workshops
• Employment subject to criminal record check for working with vulnerable populations

SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Experience working with members of structurally vulnerable groups
• Holistic understanding of HIV / AIDS, HCV, and STIs (transmission, prevention, treatment, related psycho-social issues, etc.

substance use, harm reduction, sexual health, homophobia / heterosexism / transphobia, anti-oppression work and intersectionality, Indigenous health, population health and health promotion strategies

• Strong public speaking and group facilitation skills
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Strong project coordination skills, including time management, workload, and budget management
• Experience working and training with peer educators and volunteers
• Good computer skills, including databases, word-processing, graphics and social media
• 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 : 22.5 hours / week (with potential for an additional 7.5 hours / week based on a pending grant proposal) The weekly schedule will be worked out with the successful candidate and may require some evenings, weekend work to facilitate group events.
• Location : The AVI Community Health Centre, Nanaimo
• 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 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 25, 2024, 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.