AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organisation providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all.

At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs.

Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services.

AVI Crisis Response, Community-Led (CRCL)

The Crisis Response, Community-Led (CRCL) team is a mobile peer-assisted crisis response program funded by the Province of BC and the Canadian Mental Health Association. The team is led by persons with lived/living experience and mental health professionals who provide de-escalation, community care planning, and culturally safe support.

In partnership with K’ómoks First Nation, CRCL ensures Indigenous perspectives and cultural safety are integrated throughout service delivery. The team serves individuals and families in the Comox Valley experiencing mental health or substance use-related crises, with the goal of reducing reliance on justice and emergency systems.

The CRCL team provides services on the territories of the K'ómoks First Nation.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Coordinator supports daily operations, quality service provision, and staff supervision. This role requires flexibility, presence in the field, and the ability to both coordinate systems and attend crisis calls. Coordinators ensure trauma-informed, harm reduction, and person-centered approaches to care are upheld.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:

• Emotional resilience and ability to center the needs of people in crisis
• Humility, flexibility, and strong situational awareness
• Ability to supervise and support diverse staff in complex, fast-paced environments
• Skilled in non-violent communication and de-escalation
• Comfortable with unpredictable working conditions and mandatory emergency overtime

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Coordination

• Model cultural competency and integrate Indigenous knowledge into service delivery
• Oversee operations, staff supervision, and quality of care
• Support staff growth through guidance, check-ins, and supervision
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners and emergency services
• Ensure confidentiality and quality control of client case notes
• Participate in hiring, training, and staff reviews
• Be available to the team, including attending calls and outreach

Crisis Response

• • Respond to mental health and substance use crises, triaging and adapting based on acuity
  • Communicate effectively with staff and partners during calls
  • Build rapport, develop safety plans, and coordinate post-crisis follow-up
  • Advocate for clients with other service providers as needed

Situational Awareness, Scene Safety and Unpredictable Working Conditions

• Maintain trauma-informed practice in unpredictable and sometimes hostile environments
• Utilize situational awareness, de-escalation, and critical thinking in dynamic conditions
• Work across varied settings (outdoors, homes, shelters, hospitals) and with diverse populations
• Engage professionally with service providers such as police, fire, ambulance, and health teams

Screening and Dispatch

• Manage the CRCL phone/text line, triaging and screening calls
• Develop safety and community care plans, including suicide/harm assessments
• Refer and connect callers to appropriate services (CRCL, 911, crisis lines, etc.)
• Provide telephone/text-based crisis support and resourcing
• Maintain accurate documentation and confidential files
• Support behind-the-scenes systems (scheduling, payroll, communication)

Program Development and Accountability

• Practice humility, self-reflection, and accountability

• Foster relationships with K’ómoks First Nation and local communities

• Adhere to CRCL and AVI policies, procedures, and code of ethics

• Successful Completion of the CRCL Training Curriculum

• Ability to support program building, public relations and events to promote CRCL program within the Comox Valley

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong understanding of colonialism and its impacts on First Nation, Metis and Inuit Peoples.
• 5+ years’ experience in mental health, crisis response, or case management
• 2–3 years in program coordination or management
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant health or social care field, or equivalent experience
• Skills in staff coaching, crisis intervention, suicide intervention, and conflict resolution
• Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed, and culturally safe practices
• Ability to supervise in complex environments and manage conflict constructively
• First Aid & CPR-C
• Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license, acceptable driver’s abstract
• Clear vulnerable sector criminal record

POSITION DETAILS:

• Pay: $37.38/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU pay grid 38+10%)
• Hours and Schedule: casual shifts falling between Monday- Friday 9:30am-10:30pm/ Saturday/Sunday 9:30am-5:30pm. Subject to change based on operation needs of program.
• Location: CRCL office and Throughout Comox Valley responding to crisis and in the community and where as needed, including in people’s homes, community centers and outside/with folks surviving outside.
• Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2022-2025 and this role is a BCGEU union position.
• Term: Starting Oct 24th and ending on March 31, 2026. Position contract will be extended upon further funding
• Other Perks: This position gets 6% vacation (equivalent to 3 weeks), receives Stat In Lieu payments of 5% on each paycheque and has a Sick Bank of 6.9%. Sick and Vacation are both accessible after your first 488 hours at AVI

Mandatory Training Schedule: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, TBD

TO APPLY:

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter by 5:00 p.m. on October 17, 2025.

AVI is committed to equity and diversity and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use/d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and/or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.

Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

As AVI is a union environment, internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.

We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.