Harm Reduction Outreach Workers- Queen West (Peer)

JOB POSTING

Contract Peer Workers Queen West site

PQWCHC is committed to the principles of access and equity. PQWCHC is committed to reflecting the diversity of the communities it

serves and we encourage applicants who reflect Toronto’s indigenous, LGBTQ2, racial, and cultural diversity. We welcome and

encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request.

Parkdale Queen West CHC is in full compliance of the Ontario Human Rights Code and does not discriminate on the ground of records

of offenses.

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Harm Reduction Outreach Workers- Queen West (Peer) 2 vacancies, 6 months (with the possibility of extension). Up to 9 hours per week.

Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre (Parkdale Queen West CHC) is a dynamic, community- based health care organization serving mid-west downtown Toronto. Offering a broad range of services, including primary health care, dental care, harm reduction, health promotion, counselling, and community development programming, we are also committed to serving people who face barriers to health care, and we strive to reduce these barriers. PQWCHC is a multi-sited organization. General Responsibilities: The Harm Reduction Outreach Team at Parkdale Queen West Community Health

Centre is in search of compassionate and motivated people who are committed to offering respectful harm

reduction and overdose prevention outreach services from an anti-racist and social justice perspective. The

Harm Reduction Outreach Workers will bring their expertise and lived experience to support both the program

and agency to better meet the needs of people who use substances, are street-involved, and who do sex

work in Queen West area. All Harm Reduction Outreach Workers will have the support of PQWCHC staff and

ongoing training to build individual, team, agency, and community strength.

The team seeks representation from Indigenous communities, people of African, Caribbean

communities and people with past or ongoing experience with substance use.

Reporting Manager: Manager, Harm Reduction, Programs and Outreach

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing and giving out the harm reduction supplies and resources (safer injection supplies, safer crack

use kits, safer sex supplies, safer crystal meth kits, information, pamphlets)

• Training community members in overdose prevention and response including training in using Naloxone

• Street outreach on foot

• Lead and support outreach activities at the partner locations

• Offer support, education, and training around safer drug using practices, safer sex, infection prevention,

and health promotion to community members who use substance and do sex work

• Co-create and give workshops as requested by the community stakeholders

• Safe disposal / handling of used drug equipment

• Work as part of a team by attending the team meetings, trainings, and regular supervision meetings

• Maintain boundaries with the community members while working

• Meet commitments i.e. adhering to work schedule, program and client needs

• Collecting statistics, data entry, and writing short reports

Qualifications:

• Personal experience and/or an awareness of substance use is an asset

• Personal experience with homelessness, sex work, mental health issues, HIV, hepatitis C is an asset

• Harm reduction-related and peer support volunteer or paid experience, education, or training is an asset

• Ability to work 4 hours shifts including evenings and weekends

• Familiarity with Queen West area community members and drug-using networks

• Ability to build trust with folks who use drugs and/or do sex work

• Drug user positive and sex-positive attitude with anti-racist, harm reduction outlook

• Good communication skills and strong listening skills

• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team

• Ability to accept feedback, take initiative, and work independently in a culturally diverse environment

• Basic computer skills are a plus

JOB POSTING

Contract Peer Workers Queen West site

PQWCHC is committed to the principles of access and equity. PQWCHC is committed to reflecting the diversity of the communities it

serves and we encourage applicants who reflect Toronto’s indigenous, LGBTQ2, racial, and cultural diversity. We welcome and

encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request.

Parkdale Queen West CHC is in full compliance of the Ontario Human Rights Code and does not discriminate on the ground of records

of offenses.

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• Ability to walk long distances by carrying a backpack or pulling a wagon

• Non-judgmental and willing to learn new skills attitude

• Respects and values the diversity of communities and individuals

• Ability to speak a language other than English is an asset

The Harm Reduction team at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre is committed to representing

the communities we serve. People with experience using drugs, working in the sex trade, Indigenous people,

racialized people, people from the LGBTT2SQQIA community, people living with HIV, people with

experiences of incarceration and institutionalization, people who have experienced trauma, and people who

have experienced homelessness or street involvement will be given special consideration.

This position does not require a criminal record check or vulnerable sector screening.

Compensation: $18.78 per hour + 4% vacation pay. Up to 9 hours per week

Please forward your resume and cover letter to the hiring committee through the following channels:

Email (or drop-off) your cover letter and resume (as one document) ASAP, we will be contacting qualified applicants for interviews as resumes come in. In the subject line of your email please include what is shown below.

E-Mail: smohanachandran@pqwchc.ca Subject Line: HR Outreach Peer

OR

Drop-in: Pick up written application at front desk and return completed, to Arpa Azmila or Snegha

Mohanachandran Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre

Bathurst Site

168 Bathurst St, Toronto, M5V 2R4

We regret that only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

Employment is conditional upon having had a full series of COVID-19 vaccinations (2 doses plus a booster) 14 days before starting employment.