The Community Harm Reduction Researcher and Coordinator (CHRC) works with rural communities and people who use substances to develop effective harm reduction strategies that suite their unique needs. The CHRC engages with stakeholders to develop harm reduction research projects and programs that meet the needs of rural community members. The CHRC also conducts research and program development on Drug Checking Programs throughout the Yukon and evaluates and reports on the progress of these programs.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Providing training to social service providers and clients on Drug Checking Programs and overdose prevention and response;
- 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;
- Coordinating and delivering Drug Checking and harm reduction services at outreach settings, including: summer music festivals, community events, and satellite sites;
- Working 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;
- Working 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;
- Ability to advocate on behalf of under-served street involved populations
- Strong organizational skills
- Knowledge of Yukon social services resources (both governmental and non-governmental);
- This position requires extensive travel to rural communities a willingness and ability to travel frequently is a requirement.
Conditions of Employment:
- Valid Yukon Drivers License and clear abstract;
- Current CPR and Standard First Aid certification;
- RCMP Security Clearance;
- Personal Vehicle for use for rural community travel mileage costs will be reimbursed.
Personal Suitability
- A keen sense of the social injustices in this world and a desire to do something about it;
- Education, life or work experience where you got educated about the social determinants of health, the real reasons why some people are homeless, and why harm reduction is a must have in any society;
- Been called a “social justice warrior”, “bleeding heart leftist”, or “delusional with your utopian vision for a better community” and taken it as a compliment;
- Working collaboratively and through partnerships is your middle name;
- Positive, solution oriented and resilient is how you stay strong and focused despite the crap that’s going on in the world
- A strong desire to work for the client not the system
- keen sense of the social injustices in this world and a desire to do something about it;
- Education, life or work experience where you got educated about the social determinants of health, the real reasons why some people are homeless, and why harm reduction is a must have in any civilized society;
- Been called a “social justice warrior”, “bleeding heart leftist”, or “delusional with your utopian vision for a better community” and taken it as a compliment;
- Working collaboratively and through partnerships is your middle name;
- Positive, solution oriented and resilient is how you stay strong and focused despite the crap that’s going on in the world
- A strong desire to work for the client not the system
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, great conversations about life, sex, and politics, quality rants on social justice issues and baked goods. Also starting wage at $32 per hour, benefits package, 4 weeks paid annual vacation leave, ongoing training, and professional development opportunities. Learn more about Blood Ties: www.bloodties.ca
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.’
For more information about this position, please contact our office by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 867-689-7225
Application deadline Friday December 11, 2020.