The Opportunity
The Harm Reduction Facilitator provides compassionate, non-judgmental, and participant (called relatives to integrate our kinship model) support to individuals who use substances. Guided by the principles of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, cultural safety, and Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing, and relating, the Facilitator works alongside relatives that access services at Velma’s House to reduce barriers, improve health and wellness, and support self-determined goals.
This role recognizes that substance use exists on a spectrum and that every individual deserves dignity, respect, and access to care regardless of where they are in their journey. The Harm Reduction Facilitator builds trusting relationships, provides education and practical supports, responds to crises, and connects relatives with healthcare, housing, treatment, cultural supports, and other community resources as requested by the relative.
Rather than requiring abstinence, the Harm Reduction Facilitator supports relatives in making informed choices that align with their own goals while promoting safety, wellness, and overall quality of life.
What You Will Be Doing
- Establish and maintain respectful, trusting, and supportive relationships through consistent, non-judgmental engagement
- Foster an environment that promotes dignity, inclusion, safety, and relative self-determination and consent
- Deliver harm reduction education and practical support that promotes safer substance use practices and reduces the risk of drug poisoning and other substance-related harms
- Respond to drug poisoning and medical emergencies, supporting Heart Helpers and Team Leads on the floor
- Maintain current knowledge of emerging trends, substances, and harm reduction practices
- Train staff and community members on opioid reversal, harm reduction measures, and best practices
- Assist relatives in accessing healthcare, housing, income supports, identification services, legal resources, treatment programs, cultural services, and other community-based supports
- Facilitate referrals and advocate to reduce barriers to services, accompany participants to appointments or community services when appropriate
- Apply trauma-informed de-escalation techniques to maintain relative and staff safety
- Participate in critical incident response and debriefing processes
- Support access to Indigenous cultural teachings, ceremonies, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and traditional healing practices
- Recognize the impacts of colonization, systemic inequities, and intergenerational trauma in all aspects of service delivery
- Respect each relative’s identity, lived experience, culture, beliefs, and personal goals
- Maintain accurate, timely, and objective documentation, including case notes, referrals, incident reports, and service statistics
You have:
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing direct support to individuals experiencing substance use, homelessness, mental health concerns, trauma, or other complex social challenges
- Experience working within a harm reduction, low-barrier, outreach, shelter, or community-based service environment
- Demonstrated experience applying trauma-informed, participant-centered, and culturally safe approaches to service delivery
- Experience supporting individuals through crisis intervention, de-escalation, and overdose response
- Experience building trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds while maintaining professional boundaries
- Experience providing advocacy, systems navigation, and referrals to health, housing, social, and community services
- Experience working collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams and community partnerships.
- Experience supporting Indigenous individuals, families, and communities, with an understanding of the impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and systemic barriers, is considered a strong asset
- Lived experience with substance use, recovery, houselessness, or related systems is recognized as a valuable asset
- Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative environment
- Clear Criminal Record Check, Child and Adult Abuse Registry Check
- Driver’s license and vehicle are required
- Current First Aid and CPR certification and naloxone training are strong assets
- Training in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), or equivalent is considered an asset
- Working Conditions:
- Work is performed in a low-barrier, participant-centered environment where individuals may be actively feeling the effects of substances or experiencing crisis
- Regular exposure to drug poisoning, trauma, mental health concerns, and complex social situations
- Frequent standing, walking, outreach, and community engagement
- Evening, weekend availability may be required
- Use of personal protective equipment and adherence to infection prevention and overdose response protocols.
We are Proud to Offer:
- Comprehensive and Immediate Benefits including Health and Dental
- Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance
- Employer Contributed RRSP; up to 5% match
- Employee and Family Assistance Program with Consult + and Telus Health
- Cultural Ways of Being; Mino Pimatisiwin Lodge, Knowledge Keepers and Kookums, medicine picking, sweats, ceremony, smudging on-site
- Personal Days, in addition to Vacation Days, Paid Sundance leave and other mental health supports
- Work-life balance and casual dress
- Training and Development opportunities
- Free on-site parking
- Social Planning Committee that facilitates employee appreciation and wellness events
To Apply:
Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume, detailing how you meet the requirements of this posting, the deadline for submission is Friday, July 17.
Ka Ni Kanichihk remains committed to achieving employment equity; candidates are strongly encouraged to self-declare in their cover letter if they are of Indigenous ancestry.
Pay: $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Application question(s):
- Do you self-identify as of Indigenous descent? (Status, Metis, Inuit)
- Do you have a class 5F driver's license and reliable vehicle?
Work Location: In person
