Harm Reduction Support Worker

The Harm Reduction Support Worker provides a broad range of low barrier, harm reduction supports to individuals accessing harm reduction programming and services. The Harm Reduction Support Worker will provide evidence-based educational and harm reduction interventions to individuals and priority populations to increase knowledge on harm reduction, substance use, overdose prevention, sexual health/sexual decision-making, HIV and other blood-borne disease transmission and prevention strategies, and facilitate behavior change to prevent transmission.

• →Responsible for harm reduction supply distribution and recovery
• →Uses brief assessment, active listening, and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services within the community.
• →Provides education, resources and support regarding safer substance use, safer substance techniques and safer sex, HIV, hepatitis C, STIs, and testing options.
• →Provides overdose prevention education, including education on the administration of Naloxone.
• →As needed, assess for overdose symptoms, and respond with rescues breaths and Naloxone for service users on site.
• →Facilitates in office Naloxone distribution to service users and other community organizations.
• →Provides support to Peer groups that work with AVI.
• →Provides brief support, basic direction and appropriate referrals to other health and support services.
• →Engages with clients in a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction.
• →Maintains the safety of all program spaces by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents (such as overdose prevention and response).
• →Works in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services.
• →Keeps electronic records and compiles reports.
• →Maintains both paper and electronic confidential client files as required.
• →Assists with office ordering, supplier communication, stock records.
• →Manages community distribution of harm reduction supplies and maintain distribution records.
• →Engages in planning, evaluation, and program development as requested by the Manager.
• →Performs other duties as assigned.

• Diploma in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and work/lived experience.
• Have a minimum of two years’ experience working within harm reduction settings.
• Standard First Aid and CPR - Level C training and experience responding to critical incidents, including overdose.
• Direct service delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and related provincial and community support services systems
• Demonstrated experience working within a harm reduction framework (paid or unpaid) within communities impacted by systemic injustice, colonialism, racism, and criminalization.
• Demonstrated understanding of the necessary ongoing involvement of people who use drugs in all aspects of the creation and delivery of harm reduction services, to ensure their relevance and success.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a supportive team environment with a focus on developing trust, transparent communication and critical self-reflection while addressing interpersonal dynamics.

• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of: the local communities who use drugs, safer drug use, safer sex practices, sex work, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, mental health, etc.
• Demonstrated understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonialism and racism, and where your personal privilege and power as a service provider intersect with it.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices.
• Demonstrated understanding of relational, empathetic, person-centered approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to connect and build trust with a diverse range of folks accessing services; including people who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.
• Experience managing potentially hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and de-escalation skills.
• Demonstrated experience with overdose response, including administration of naloxone, oxygen and rescue breathes.

• Ability to stay grounded and use creativity, flexibility, and assertiveness when working through complex and often urgent situations.
• Experience supporting Peer groups.
• Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility, and assertiveness in dealing with complex issues.
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them.

• Ability to carry out physical duties of position.
• Effective crisis response and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to operate related equipment(computers, copy/printer).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients and recognize changes in folks.
• Ability to analyze and resolve issues through conflict resolution and crisis interventions skills.
• Advocacy skills
• Comfortable approaching and initiating conversation with others and ability to build respectful rapport.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Understanding of the psycho-social issues affecting people who use drugs.

• Pay: $33.49/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU pay grid 34)
• Number of Positions: 1
• Position type: Return of Incumbent
• Position length: July 20, 2026 – September 9, 2026
• Hours and Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Location: AVI Courtenay office.
• Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2026 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.

It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and/or have lived/living expertise relevant to the position.

Accommodation is 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.