Position title: Office/Peer Coordinator
Organization Overview
The Coalition of Substance Users of the North (CSUN) is an alliance of people who use or have used currently illegal drugs. Our members are dedicated to improving life for all substance users who live in Northern BC and throughout Canada. CSUN supports substance users by facilitating the development of programs, services, and resources for our community members. CSUN provides regional representation and community-based participation in BC’s and Canada’s overall response to the toxic supply crisis and all matters impacting people who use drugs. CSUN is located in Quesnel BC, situated on the unceded, traditional and ancestral territories of the Lhtako Dene Nation.
Position Overview
The Office/Peer Coordinator has overall responsibility and accountability for administrative and program functions and is responsible for supporting CSUN with the day-to-day operations, program support, future planning, and harm reduction. Past or present lived experience of substance use (peer) is an asset but not a requirement.
We are looking for an individual to support reporting, administrative and organizational responsibilities with strong relationship building skills. This role promotes and facilitates meaningful engagement with peers and partner organizations following Peer Engagement Principles and Best Practices Guidelines.
The position is part time for an average of 30 hours per week with a wage of $30.00 per hour. Work hours will include 5 – 11pm Friday – Monday and Wednesday. Some flexibility of in-office scheduled hours may be required. This position is temporary for 1.5 years and may become full-time with the possibility for longer term, dependent upon funding.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Office/Peer Coordinator has overall responsibility and accountability for administrative and program functions:
1. Support day-to-day operations of CSUN.
2. Work in partnership with community members, drug user organizations, and Indigenous communities. Build and maintain respectful collaboration with community partners to contribute to long-term, sustainable service improvements through capacity building for peer inclusion and engagement.
3. Work to assist with identifying learning needs/opportunities with respect to peer engagement and assist with developing and delivering training/capacity building to support these needs.
4. Assist with developing and coordinating peer engagement committees and networks. Communicate peer input to inform policy, communications, organizational change, and standards. Prepares documents, letters, and informs reports, etc. utilizing word processing, and email.
Qualifications
Education, Training, and Experience:
Preference will be given to someone with minimum of (2) years of recent related experience in a managerial position. Drug user organization experience is desirable; and experience managing programs and overseeing personnel or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Competent knowledge around best practices in drug user peer engagement and/or ongoing willingness to learn and increase skill level
• Experience supervising peer staff, maintaining strict and prudent confidentiality
• Maintain work principles and ethics
• Competent computer and administration skills
• Ability to identify and avoid conflicts of interest
• Valid BC Driver’s License or reliable transportation access
• Empathetic and skilled with delivering trauma informed programming and care
• Ability to effectively evaluate work-related situations and identify barriers and opportunities, relevant facts, resources required and possible resolutions
• Practice and promote effective verbal and nonverbal communication
• Demonstrate good work habits, including but not limited to maintaining the expected hours of work with conscientious application to tasks during work hours
• Experience working with peers in community and providing health promotion and harm reduction activities in relation to substance use
• Criminal record check: Having a criminal record may not exclude an applicant from being hired for long term or ongoing employment with CSUN
• CSUN Vulnerable Sector Criminal Records Check. A person whose criminal record suggests they present a risk of physical or sexual abuse to children or a risk of physical, sexual, or financial abuse to vulnerable adults may have further barriers to employment
Skills, Abilities and Assets:
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles and practices with willingness and interest to learn of peer-driven initiatives and interventions
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrate a fitness-for-duty approach to employment if using substances (use of substances to be well and alert during work time is permitted, intoxication is not)
• Ability to reflect on the way their lived experience influences their work
• Ability to maintain non-violent communication in work-related environments and correspondence
• Ability to manage time effectively based on workload and to practice humility
• Ability to problem solve and provide guidance and work direction
• Demonstrate understanding of the current community specific context and evidence related to peer engagement, culturally relevant practice, harm reduction, and associated best practices
• Ability to be creative and flexible, to work well under pressure with interruptions and change
• Ability to present information based on audience
• Ability to maintain self care
• Ability to access internet from home
Email cover letter and resume to: [email protected]
Job will be posted until filled.