Men's 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 (

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 Men's Wellness Program Youth 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 youth in the GBMSM community on Vancouver Island.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. In consultation with the Nanaimo Health Centre Manager, peer educators, and program participants, the Health Promotion Educator facilitates the design, implementation, and delivery and evaluation of educational workshops, projects, and events related to HIV, HCV, and other STI's specifically addressing youth.

2. Facilitates presentations and workshops to a diversity of men's communities

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

4. Provides education, information, support, and referrals via email, Facebook, drop-ins, and AVI's “Infoline”.

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 GBMSM community

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

7. Advocating AVI's educational services to the community including use of social media: Grinder, Squirt, and other social media sites relevant to the GBMSM community

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

9. Coordinates testing events with community partners when needed

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

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

12. Promotes services including use of social media and other sites relevant to the GBMSM community

13. 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

• Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma informed and decolonial lens

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the GBMSM 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 youth from 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: Casual, 0-10 hours per week and the schedule will be worked with the successful candidate

• Start and end date: As soon as possible and is an ongoing position

• 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.

• 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 paid an extra 5% in lieu of vacation 5% in lieu of stats, meaning your hourly rate is actually 10% higher than listed.

• Proof of Vaccination Required: AVI is under BC's Health Services Order and continues to require proof of vaccination.

• 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  May 17, 2024, by 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.

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.

We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted