Outreach Worker (20 Hours)

Réseau ACCESS Network

HIV/Hepatitis Health and Social Services

Employment Opportunity:

OUTREACH WORKER (0.57 FTE)

The position is responsible for the following:

• Provide low threshold street outreach, in-reach & community outreach to marginalized community members living with or at risk of acquiring HIV/HCV/STBBI. The low-threshold approach aims to reach more persons affected by their substance use earlier and to remain in contact in order to prevent health damage while not requesting abstinence.  Community outreach is inclusive of providing services within known centres where individuals gather or reside, i.e. Place Balmoral
• Provide brief counselling, referrals and harm reduction teachings as appropriate.

The successful candidate:

• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Social Services, Addiction, or other related fields/experience.
• Minimum three years’ experience working with members of substance using communities.
• Physically able to handle the rigors of outdoor programming.
• Strong ability to collect data and transpose to appropriate data collecting tool.
• Awareness of and sensitivity when working with diverse Indigenous cultures, perspectives, and ways of knowing.
• Experience working with volunteers and/or peers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous communities and organizations an asset.
• Understanding the effects of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous persons an asset.
• Valid driver’s license, with clean driver’s abstract and good driving record.
• Must work evenings and weekends.
• Demonstrated experience providing support services.
• Demonstrated experience working with issues of addiction, and sexuality.
• Work with diverse populations and backgrounds in a non-judgmental approach.
• Experience working in a non-profit community-based organization.
• Ability to function well under pressure.
• Applicants from Indigenous communities or those with lived experience with substance use are considered an asset.

Bilingual (French/English) candidates or those of Indigenous descent will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified.

Competitive salary and benefits, including staff development budget

Interested applicants are asked to submit a resume with a cover letter by the closing date of April 17, 2022, to the attention of the Manager Outreach Services @ [email protected].  Note this position will be filled ASAP.

Note: As part of the initial recruitment screening process, Applicants must confirm that they are Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19. If Applicants are not Fully Vaccinated, they will be asked to identify any accommodation needs pursuant to a protected ground under the Code. If no such accommodation is identified, the Applicant will not be eligible to proceed through the recruitment process.

Réseau ACCESS Network provides equal opportunity employment and encourages applications from all qualified persons.  Réseau ACCESS Network is committed to the Meaningful Involvement of People Living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C and these are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

We regret that only those candidates selected for an interview may be contacted. No phone calls please.

627.00 (b)         JOB TITLE                        OUTREACH WORKER 0.57 FTE

REPORT AND ACCOUNTABLE TO:       Manager of Outreach Services

POSITION PURPOSE:

1. Provide low threshold street outreach & community outreach to marginalized community members living with or at risk of acquiring HIV/HCV/STBBI. The low-threshold approach aims to reach more persons affected by their substance use earlier and to remain in contact in order to prevent health damage while not requesting abstinence. 
2. Provide brief counselling, referrals and harm reduction teachings as appropriate.

2. Facilitate community development specific to the needs of those who use substances including those from Indigenous communities. Community development strengthens the connections and relationships between individuals and with organizations resulting in an increased capacity within communities to work towards common goals – to make communities vibrant and healthy.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

RESPONSIBILITIES TO:              Manager of Programs and Services

Street Outreach Services       

Réseau ACCESS Network provides Street Outreach  Sunday through Saturday.  The outreach worker normal hours of work will be twenty hours a week. The Outreach Worker (0.57 hr) is responsible for working a minimum of 6 hours of street outreach with the remaining hours in-reach/office work. 

1. In collaboration with the Agency’s Outreach Service Providers and workers from other Community Street Outreach programs, coordinate outreach activities targeting those at risk of HIV/HCV transmission through injection/needle and other means of drug use.
2. Conduct outreach to people who use and are at risk for HIV and HCV acquisition and opioid overdose, drugs in locations where people congregate and/or access other services.
3. Distribute harm reduction (safer injection, safer inhalation, and naloxone) supplies to reduce risk for overdose and HIV and HCV transmission.
4. Where appropriate, deliver brief counseling (crisis intervention / just listening), Indigenous traditional services, and harm reduction teaching, including training people to administer to naloxone, to reduce risk of opioid overdose and HIV and HCV transmission.
5. Provide referrals to other community, social and health care services, including mental health, addictions, primary care, and HIV and HCV care and testing.
6. Provide practical support to assist with scheduling and transportation to appointments, assistance with identification and access to other social services.
7. Promote the inclusion of peers (people with current or former lived experience of drug use) within local harm reduction outreach programs (i.e. recruit, train, supervise and support peers in their roles).
8. Advise Manager of Programs and Services of changes in programming.
9. In collaboration with the Agency’s Outreach Service Providers, order supplies from approved sources, and distribute harm reduction materials / condoms / paraphernalia as needed.
10. Act as a replacement for other Agency Outreach Coordinators during holidays, etc., when necessary.
11. Work with community trained volunteers/students/peers in the provision of Street Outreach services.

Community Outreach

Meet with priority population members accessing services delivered by other community partner services, to provide education/support and referrals to services offered by Réseau ACCESS Network. 

1. Working collaboratively with community partners, create opportunities to meet with potential/existing member/patients within their sites to establish/maintain contact.
2. In collaboration with other Réseau ACCESS Network Outreach Coordinators, coordinate scheduling to best meet the needs of community partners and those we serve.
3. Provide referrals and supports to those who use substances to bridge individuals to HIV/HCV/STBBI testing, treatment and support services as appropriate.
4. Provide ongoing risk/harm reduction information/education/materials to those at risk of HIV/HCV transmission through injection/needle use.

Outreach Services Training

1. By working collaboratively with the Agency’s Outreach Coordinators, assist with supervision/mentoring of trained and approved placement students, volunteers and peers working within the Street Outreach Program.

Administration

1. Maintain client records and database including contact information, activities and client service history when appropriate (in-office services versus outreach services).
2. Ensure that files are secure, confidential and have all necessary backups.
3. Ensure that all necessary reports are completed and submitted to the appropriate sources meeting set deadlines.
4. Recommend program changes to the Manager of Programs and Services as appropriate.
5. Assist and implement with the evaluation of all program activities.
6. Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures set out by the Board of Directors of Réseau ACCESS Network.
7. Assist with the regular upkeep of Réseau ACCESS Network offices.
8. Participate as a team member in all team functions – program planning, team meetings, inter-team meetings, and case conferences.
9. Provide input to organizational reviews.
10. In consultation with the Manager of Programs and Services arrange for knowledge transfer to staff and contribute to the overall day-to-day running of the agency.

Responsibilities to:     Manager of Programs and Services

1. Compile and submit activity reports and pertinent statistics as requested by the Manager of Programs and Services, Executive Director and/or funders.
2. Meet regularly with the Manager of Programs and Services to keep them fully informed on program developments, problems, successes and activities.

Other:

1. Maintain and develop professional competence and learning.
2. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Position Responsibilities are based on a twenty-hour week, with a substantial portion of these providing direct street and community outreach services.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Social Services, Addiction, or other related fields.
• Minimum three years’ experience working with members of substance using communities.
• Physically able to handle the rigors of outdoor programming.
• Strong ability to collect data and transpose to appropriate data collecting tool.
• Awareness of and sensitivity when working with diverse Indigenous cultures, perspectives, and ways of knowing.
• Experience working with volunteers and/or peers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous communities and organizations an asset.
• Understanding the effects of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous persons an asset.
• Demonstrated experience providing support services.
• Demonstrated experience working with issues of addiction, and sexuality.
• Work with diverse populations and backgrounds in a non-judgmental approach.
• Experience working in a non-profit community based organization.
• Ability to function well under pressure.
• Applicants from Indigenous communities or those with lived experience with addictions are considered an asset.
• Applicants from Francophone communities or those with lived experience are considered an asset.
• Fluency in French and English both oral and written would be an asset.

 Skills

• Strong interviewing and assessment skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Self-directed and able to take initiative.
• Good organizational and administrative skills.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to speak openly and frankly about sexuality in a supportive, non-judgmental manner.

Accountability

• The Outreach Worker is responsible to the Manager of Programs and Services.

 Working Conditions

• Physical requirements include the dexterity to reach, stand, squat, twist, lift light loads, and the ability to do sedentary work.
• Outreach component includes working with inclement weather and carrying moderately heavy supplies in a backpack.
• Must be able to work in a variety of settings.
• 20 hour work week, overtime compensated by time off in lieu.
• Valid driver’s license, with clean driver’s abstract and good driving record an asset.

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong ties and experience with either the Indigenous or Francophone communities.