Peer Support Worker jobs

The POUNDS Project is hiring an Overdose Prevention Staff member! POUNDS has been operating an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) in downtown Prince George for eight years, and we are looking to add another person to our team.

• Location: 1126 3rd Ave, Prince George, BC
• Expected Hours: 20-25 hours per week
• Job Type: Overdose Prevention Staff
• Wage: $25.00/hour

The primary duty of the Overdose Prevention Staff member is to provide a safe and judgement free area for people to come and use substances without fear of an unattended overdose and to distribute harm reduction supplies. The Overdose Prevention Staff must be comfortable working with marginalized and street-involved individuals who are actively using substances, experiencing mental health issues, working in the sex trade, are homeless, and/or live in tents/camps. They must also be comfortable around open substance use and prepared to respond to overdoses.

Duties:

• Work to support and engage our network of Peer Workers
• Distribute Naloxone kits, hygiene items and new supplies for safer injection, inhalation, sex and snorting
• Provide education on safer substance use and other harm reduction practices (training will be provided)
• Keeping the OPS (Overdose Prevention Site) sanitized and stocked with supplies
• Build and maintain trusting relationships with clients who access services
• Collect drug samples for Spectrometry Drug Checking
• Maintain necessary statistics, and ensure that all required documentation is accurate
• Provide resources and referral information to services such as violence prevention organizations, shelter and housing, substance use services and health care
• Overdose response
• Set up and take down inhalation site for safe smoking

Qualifications:

• Experience reversing overdoses
• Experience working with marginalized people who are actively using substances, have mental health challenges, work in the sex trade, are homeless, and/or live in tents/camps
• The ability to maintain a non-judgmental and non-stigmatizing approach is required
• The ability to function effectively in difficult and/or crisis situations is required
• Strong communication skills are required
• Strong understanding of harm reduction principles, STDs, substance misuse, mental health and social determinants of health are an asset
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Established ability to maintain healthy boundaries is necessary
• Knowledge of local resources is an asset
• Readiness to respond to an overdose

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Flexible schedule

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 25 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Flexible schedule
• Wellness program

Application question(s):

• Have you ever reversed or participated in the reversal of an overdose?

Experience:

• mental health or addictions work: 1 year (required)

Location:

• Prince George, BC V2L 3E5 (required)

Work Location: In person