Temporary SAFER Weekend Team Lead

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) increases health equity by providing highly responsive, harm reduction-based HIV, hepatitis C, substance use, sexual health, mental health, and other community health services, and is informed by the voices of people with living experience. We envision a community where people can experience optimal health and wellness, and be free from stigma, marginalization, and criminalization. For more information see www.avi.org

THE VICTORIA SAFER INITIATIVE is a flexible, community-based, prescribed safe supply model with health care provider oversight. Its goal is to save and affirm the lives of people who use drugs by providing safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic supply. SAFER is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Kosapsum and Songhees nations).

JOB SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the SAFER Coordinator or Manager, the SAFER Weekend Team Lead ensures smooth weekend clinic operations by supporting and problem-solving with the Support Worker team. They help maintain safe, fully staffed, and participant-focused services, and may implement Clinic Closure protocols if staffing is insufficient. The Team Lead works on-site, providing psychosocial support alongside staff, delivering harm reduction education, and maintaining confidence in overdose response.

The role emphasizes harm reduction, trust-building, and practical support for staff and participants. The Team Lead fosters a positive, respectful, and collaborative environment where staff feel safe, empowered, and ready to work. The successful candidate is an effective communicator, empathetic problem-solver, and collaborative leader who embodies AVI’s values of harm reduction, social justice, trauma-informed care, and cultural humility, ensuring dignity and respect for all participants.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Lead

1. Manage shift call-outs and scheduling changes (breaks, midday coverage, staff adjustments) in compliance with the BCGEU Collective Agreement.
2. Support and train new Support Workers on weekends, as directed by the Coordinator.
3. Check in with staff as needed, document follow-up, and ensure morning huddles/debriefs occur effectively.
4. Foster a respectful, safe, and culturally safe work environment; apply the Ready to Work policy and de-escalation skills as needed.
5. Enter weekend Support Worker scheduling and payroll data daily.
6. Collaborate with on-site leadership (e.g., nurses) to address clinic needs and problem-solve.
7. Document Critical Incidents, reporting to the Coordinator and HR/WorkSafe when required.
8. Keep the Coordinator informed of notable weekend events.
9. Stay current on policy/protocol updates through email and documentation.

Support Worker

1. Collaborate with the SAFER team to identify participants, share information on safer pharmaceutical alternatives, and assist with assessments and intakes.
2. Welcome participants, witness doses (as delegated by nursing), and provide dignified support.
3. Distribute safer use supplies for drug use (including naloxone) and sexual health. Relevant information and training also provided.
4. Monitor substance use, assess for overdose, and respond with naloxone and rescue breathing as needed (training provided).
5. Maintain program safety by following violence prevention and critical incident protocols.
6. Provide harm reduction information, referrals, and peer support through active listening and non-judgmental relational connections.
7. Liaise with participants, nurses, physicians, and system navigators to support communication and care.
8. Develop safety plans with participants at increased risk of overdose.
9. Contribute to a respectful, supportive environment and act as a SAFER ambassador in the community.
10. Attend team and supervision meetings (as schedule allows) and contribute to team charting and documentation.
11. Complete light janitorial duties, including sanitizing booths and washrooms.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Reliable, consistent, and dependable; able to work scheduled weekends and plan time off in advance.
• Degree or certificate in health/social services (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health & Addictions), or equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum 3 years’ relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience in social services, particularly with people criminalized for drug use.
• Strong computer, phone, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge and experience in harm reduction practices and principles.
• Direct service experience in community social services with knowledge of community-based programs and supports.
• Trauma-informed approach with coworkers and participants.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with staff, participants, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, clear boundaries, and mentor others to do the same.
• Working knowledge of harm reduction, safer drug use, OAT, safer sex, sex work, HIV, Hep C, and mental health.
• Commitment to Indigenous communities, cultural humility, and understanding of colonial impacts.
• Ability to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships with a trauma-informed and decolonial lens.
• Asset: First Aid and overdose response training (Naloxone).

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Upholds confidentiality and discretion in a healthcare setting.
• Builds trust while navigating power dynamics with coworkers and participants.
• Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills.
• Calm and grounded under pressure; able to manage tense or hostile interactions.
• Experience responding to critical incidents and overdoses, including naloxone administration.
• Demonstrated judgment, creativity, and flexibility in urgent or complex situations.
• Skilled in non-violent communication and anti-oppressive practices.
• Understanding of systemic violence/oppression and its impact on participants and staff.
• Creates and maintains a psychologically safe, respectful, and equitable environment.
• Effective at organizing and prioritizing daily tasks.
• Builds rapport with participants facing trauma and systemic barriers.
• Comfortable in high-energy, stressful environments with strong self-awareness.
• Physically able to carry out job duties.
• Consistently available to work weekends and Statutory Monday

POSITION DETAILS:

• Pay: $33.99/hour to start with stepped increases based on seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU paygrid 38)
• Hours and Schedule: 22.5 hours per week. Mondays 1:30pm to 5:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays 9:30am to 5:30pm, and Fridays 9:15am to 1:15pm.
• Weekend Shift Premium for Some Shifts: Weekend Shift Premium of an additional $0.50/hour applies to each hour worked between 00:01 hours Saturday and 24:00 hours Sunday. Some shifts may qualify for this premium.
• Position Type: Part Time. Temporary until January 31, 2026, or return of incumbent whichever is earlier
• Location: The SAFER Clinic in Victoria, BC and work in the community as needed.
• Number of positions available: 1
• 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. AVI contributes 9.31% towards your pension. If you are not already a member, part-time staff may become eligible after 2 years with AVI.
• Other Perks: 6.4% vacation (3 weeks), 5% Stat In Lieu on each paycheque, and a Sick Bank of 6.9%. Sick and Vacation accessible after 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 this position and submit your resume and cover letter by October 3, 2025.

AVI is committed to equity and diversity, and we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people of colour, people with disabilities, people who use drugs, people with experience in sex work, people living with HIV and/or hepatitis C, and people of all genders and sexualities.

Applicants are encouraged to note in their cover letter if they are Indigenous and/or have lived or living experience relevant to the role. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.

As a unionized workplace, internal candidates will be prioritized. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.