Details:
JOB SUMMARY
The Harm Reduction Peer Educator will be part of an Outreach Education Team that will provide weekly
outreach based engagement and support to identified supported living units, private housing units and
people living outside in order to reach priority populations of people who use substances and share
drug‐use equipment. This Team will also deliver education workshops related to prevention,
transmission and reducing risks of HIV and Hepatitis C for priority populations including people who use
substances, women who use substances and indigenous people who use substances.
The Outreach Education Team will travel to rural and remote communities to determine priority
locations for outreach and provide education to the people in these communities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Manager or designate, the Harm Reduction Peer Educator will be
part of an outreach team engaged in the following activities:
1. Provide weekly outreach based engagement and support to identified supported living units,
private housing units and people living outside in order to reach priority populations of people
who use substances and share drug‐use equipment.
2. Provide information, resources, and support to priority populations in knowledge of risk factors
associated with HIV and Hepatitis C
3. Provide support, referrals and accompaniment, as needed, to harm reduction and health care
resources
4. Collaborate with BC Housing, John Howard Society North Island, Dawn to Dawn Care‐A‐Van and
Positive Wellness North Island (collaborative STOP HIV project) in providing outreach‐based
support to reach priority populations.
5. Offer peer support using active listening skills, maintaining a non‐judgmental attitude and
keeping professional boundaries
6. Share up‐to‐date information about local drug use trends and practices with coworkers and
peers as they emerge
7. Assist in the development of workshop content and instructional strategies and methods related
to the transmission, prevention and risk factors of HIV and Hepatitis C to people who use
substances and share drug‐use equipment for priority populations
8. Participate in the development of promotional materials and evaluation tools for workshop
attendees and project participants
9. Co‐facilitate and/or facilitate peer education workshops and peer knowledge exchange circles
related to prevention, transmission and reducing risks of HIV and Hepatitis C for priority
populations including people who use substances, women who use substances
10. Consult with peers to determine how best to enhance skills, competencies and abilities to
prevent HIV and Hepatitis C
11. Travel to rural and remote communities to determine priority locations for outreach, such as
where people are gathering, living, congregating and provide education to the people in these
locations
12. Participates in ongoing job training
13. Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications & Experience:
Qualifications:
Education, Training, and Experience:
Have lived experience with drug use and related health and social conditions such as poverty,
sex work, homelessness and/or other physical or mental health issues
Have lived experience with HIV, hepatitis C, and/or illicit substances would be an asset.
Have personal experience accessing harm reduction services for safer drug use support and/or
accessed other services designed to meet the needs of people who use substances
Have a current knowledge of the local street scene and cultural norms related to street life, and
can relate as a peer
Experience in delivering peer education and/or health related workshops/trainings OR Peer
support/education and/or leadership training preferred. For example, participation in AVI’s
Street College Leadership Curriculum is an asset
Experience with overdose response, including administration of naloxone, is an asset.
Demonstrated commitment to working in a team environment.
Comfortable approaching and initiating conversation with others and ability to build good
rapport
Interest in learning and eager to educate peers with a non‐judgmental attitude
Good communications skills including active listening skills
Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices
Working understanding of the importance of confidentiality and professional boundaries
Working knowledge of local health and social services
Ability to follow direction, provide/receive feedback, and engage in proactive problem solving.
Ability to apply conflict resolution and de‐escalation skills when tense situations arise.
Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with volunteers, co‐workers and community
partners.
Experience working with people from a diversity of backgrounds including people who use illicit
substances, people who identify as gender non‐conforming and gender‐diverse, GBMSM,
women, youth at risk, and Indigenous people.
Working understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries
Skills and Abilities:
Ability to communicate effectively
Ability to establish and maintain good rapport
Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others
Ability to follow direction, provide/receive feedback, and engage in proactive problem solving
Ability to communicate effectively and apply conflict resolution skills