NCAT Peer Coordinator- Casual

AVI Health & Community Services Society; Nanaimo; Hybrid; CAD 34,000 - 49,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work option

Job summary

AVI Health & Community Services is seeking a Peer Coordinator for the Nanaimo Community Action Team. The role centers on peer leadership, harm reduction, and community outreach to reduce drug toxicity harms.

It involves building relationships, coordinating peer activities, and supporting CAT initiatives in Nanaimo, BC. The position is contract-based, 10 hours weekly, based in Nanaimo with possible remote work for part of the role.

Qualifications

• Lived or living experience related to substance use and the toxic drug crisis is strongly preferred.
• Experience in peer support, harm reduction outreach, or community-based work.
• Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed practice, and equity-based approaches.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners.
• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities.
• No formal education requirements; lived and living experience is recognized as essential.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with people affected by the toxic drug supply.
• Participate in monthly CAT meetings and support peer-informed perspectives.
• Coordinate Peer Advisory meetings and peer stipends management.
• Support peer participation in CAT initiatives and community events.
• Support overdose prevention and harm reduction activities.
• Maintain documentation of engagement and payments; complete timesheets.

Skills

Lived experience

Peer support

Harm reduction outreach

Communication

Collaboration

Organization

Job description

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 work within a social justice and health promotion framework – ensuring equity and access to services for all – and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.

At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. AVI provides comprehensive, accessible and effective education, prevention, care, treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, the Westshore, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River. For more info see www.avi.org

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.

About The Nanaimo Community Action Team (CAT)

The Nanaimo Community Action Team (CAT) is a multi-sector, community-led table that brings together people with lived and living experience, service providers, Indigenous partners, and community stakeholders to coordinate local action in response to the drug poisoning crisis. The CAT aligns with the mandate of the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions’ Overdose Emergency Response Centre (OERC).

Position Summary

The Peer Coordinator is a contract role grounded in lived and/or living experience of substance use and the toxic drug supply. The role supports peer leadership, engagement, and harm reduction activities connected to the work of the Nanaimo CAT. The Peer Coordinator builds trusted relationships, elevates peer perspectives, and supports community-led responses to reduce drug toxicity harms.

Key Responsibilities

Peer Engagement & Community Outreach

• Build and maintain meaningful, trust-based relationships with people impacted by the toxic drug supply
• Conduct outreach to identify emerging needs and share resources
• Support inclusive engagement processes that elevate lived and living experience voices
• Promote culturally safe, peer-led, and stigma-free approaches

Support to the Community Action Team

• Participate in monthly CAT meetings and contribute peer-informed perspectives
• Coordinate and support Peer Advisory meetings, or other Peer Meetings to support the collaboration of peer work within the Nanaimo CAT
• Manage peer compensation through stipends and maintain records
• Support peer participation in CAT initiatives, projects, and community events

Harm Reduction & Drug Toxicity Response

• Support overdose prevention and harm reduction activities
• Share accurate information on drug toxicity risks and services
• Assist with harm reduction supply distribution and public education
• Support stigma reduction efforts

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain documentation of peer engagement activities
• Contribute to reporting and evaluation requirements
• Identify and share advocacy priorities emerging from peer engagement
• Maintain records of payments, receipts, stipends, and other expenses
• Complete and submit regular timesheets

Qualifications & Experience

• Lived or living experience related to substance use and/or the toxic drug crisis (strongly preferred)
• Experience in peer support, harm reduction outreach, or community-based work
• Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed practice, and equity-based approaches
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners
• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities
• No formal education requirements; lived and living experience is recognized as essential

Working Conditions

• Community-based role with outreach in diverse environments
• Flexible schedule, including some evenings or weekends
• Exposure to environments impacted by substance use and drug toxicity
• Access to supervision and debriefing supports

POSITION DETAILS

• Pay: $30/Hour plus expenses (flexible and based on funding)
• Hours and Schedule: 10 hours per week
• Location: Nanaimo, BC and in the community as needed, may have an option of working remotely for a part of the job
• Start Date: As soon as possible and is subject to ongoing funding
• Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.

This is an excluded contractual position.

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.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

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