Blood Ties Four Directions Centre has an opening for a Community Harm Reduction Researcher and Coordinator.
The Community Harm Reduction Researcher and Coordinator (CHRC) position works with rural communities and people who use substances to develop effective harm reduction strategies that suite their unique needs. CHRC position engages with stakeholders to develop harm reduction research projects and programs that meet the needs of rural community members. The CHRC also provides research and program development on Drug Checking Programs throughout the Yukon and evaluates and reports on the progress of these programs.
The Community Harm Reduction Researcher and Coordinator’s key areas of responsibility include:
- Monitors, tracks and responds to emerging issues in harm reduction and drug checking.
- Provides training to social service providers and clients on drug checking programs and overdose prevention.
- Monitoring, tracking, and responding to emerging issues in harm reduction and drug checking, particularly in rural and remote settings;
- Building relationships with Yukon First Nations and rural community partners;
- Working with rural Yukon communities to develop harm reduction programs and initiatives that reflect and meet the unique needs of each community;
- Working with people who use substances to develop and implement harm reduction programs and initiatives that increase capacity to adopt safer drug use practices and prevent opioid overdoses;
- Coordinate and deliver drug checking and harm reduction services at outreach settings, including: summer music festivals, community events, and satellite sites;
- Work closely with the Harm Reduction Counsellor and Outreach Van Coordinator at Blood Ties to deliver the drug checking program, including developing policies and procedures as needed;
- Work one evening per week on the outreach van delivering care and support services to underserved individuals in an outreach setting including: lay counselling, harm reduction education and support, opioid overdose awareness and education, advocacy, housing and health systems navigation and information, and other support activities;
- Managing the project budget and monitoring expenditures;
- Evaluating program activities and completing regular funding reports.
Skills & Knowledge:
- Post-Secondary Education in the Social/Human and/or Health Services field
- Knowledge of and ability to deliver Harm Reduction programs; preferably experience in delivering harm reduction services
- Knowledge of best practices in working with underserved populations; preferably experience in delivering services to underserved populations
- Knowledge of lay counselling and short term crisis counselling in the areas of addictions, depression, suicide intervention in an outreach setting
- Understanding of Yukon First Nations histories and cultures;
- Thorough understanding of the social determinants of health;
- Able to advocate on behalf of underserved street involved populations
- Strong organizational skills
- Knowledge of Yukon social services resources (both governmental and non-governmental);
Conditions of Employment:
- Valid Yukon Drivers License;
- Current CPR and Standard First Aid certification;
- RCMP Security Clearance
Is Blood Ties right for you?
We have a friendly community oriented work environment with a great team passionate about a common goal: reducing health and social barriers for vulnerable people. We care about our community and we care about our team. Some of our perks include a meaningful mission driven work environment, all the free lube and condoms you could ask for (we’re a sexual health organization too!), great conversations about life, sex, and politics, quality rants on social justice issues, baked goods and a swearing friendly environment. Also… $28 per hour based on a 35 hour work week, comprehensive benefits package, 4 weeks paid annual vacation leave, ongoing training, and professional development opportunities. Work hours are 35 hours per week 8:30-4:30pm and one Outreach Van shift a week 5:00pm-10:00pm.
Is Whitehorse Yukon right for you?
Whitehorse is an exciting small city of about 35,000 people that hosts the capital of the Yukon. There is so much to enjoy about Whitehorse including beautiful summers, a vibrant art and music scene, the midnight sun and northern lights, and tons of outdoor activities year round. To top this all off, Whitehorse is connected by the highway network and serviced by three national airlines so the costs of living and traveling out of the territory is relatively low for a city in Northern Canada. Come and see for yourself why Whitehorse is called the ‘Wilderness City.’
Application deadline September 10, 2021
For more information about this position and the work of the Outreach Van, please contact our office by e-mail at [email protected], by phone at 867-689-7225