AVI Health and Community Services·Nanaimo, British Columbia
The Peer Coordinator builds trust-based relationships with individuals impacted by the toxic drug supply and facilitates peer-led harm reduction activities. They also coordinate peer advisory meetings, manage stipends, and contribute to community-led responses to the drug poisoning crisis.
AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organization, 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 work within a social justice and health promotion framework – ensuring equity and access to services for all – and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.
At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs.
AVI provides comprehensive, accessible and effective education, prevention, care, treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, the Westshore, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River.
For more info see www.avi.org 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.
About the Nanaimo Community Action Team (CAT) The Nanaimo Community Action Team (CAT) is a multi-sector, community-led table that brings together people with lived and living experience, service providers, Indigenous partners, and community stakeholders to coordinate local action in response to the drug poisoning crisis. The CAT aligns with the mandate of the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions’ Overdose Emergency Response Centre (OERC).
The Peer Coordinator is a contract role grounded in lived and/or living experience of substance use and the toxic drug supply. The role supports peer leadership, engagement, and harm reduction activities connected to the work of the Nanaimo CAT. The Peer Coordinator builds trusted relationships, elevates peer perspectives, and supports community-led responses to reduce drug toxicity harms. Key Responsibilities Peer Engagement & Community Outreach Build and maintain meaningful, trust-based relationships with people impacted by the toxic drug supply Conduct outreach to identify emerging needs and share resources Support inclusive engagement processes that elevate lived and living experience voices Promote culturally safe, peer-led, and stigma-free approaches Support to the Community Action Team Participate in monthly CAT meetings and contribute peer-informed perspectives Coordinate and support Peer Advisory meetings, or other Peer Meetings to support the collaboration of peer work within the Nanaimo CAT Manage peer compensation through stipends and maintain records Support peer participation in CAT initiatives, projects, and community events Harm Reduction & Drug Toxicity Response Support overdose prevention and harm reduction activities Share accurate information on drug toxicity risks and services Assist with harm reduction supply distribution and public education Support stigma reduction efforts Documentation & Reporting Maintain documentation of peer engagement activities Contribute to reporting and evaluation requirements Identify and share advocacy priorities emerging from peer engagement Maintain records of payments, receipts, stipends, and other expenses Complete and submit regular timesheets Qualifications & Experience Lived or living experience related to substance use and/or the toxic drug crisis (strongly preferred) Experience in peer support, harm reduction outreach, or community-based work Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed practice, and equity-based approaches Strong communication and relationship-building skills Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities No formal education requirements; lived and living experience is recognized as essential Working Conditions Community-based role with outreach in diverse environments Flexible schedule, including some evenings or weekends Exposure to environments impacted by substance use and drug toxicity Access to supervision and debriefing supports
Pay: $30/Hour plus expenses (flexible and based on funding) Hours and Schedule: 10 hours per week Location: Nanaimo, BC and in the community as needed, may have an option of working remotely for a part of the job Start Date: As soon as possible and is subject to ongoing funding Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change. TO APPLY: To apply please click on ‘apply to position’ and submit your resume and cover letter by 5pm on August 17, 2026
This is an excluded contractual position. 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. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We would like to thank all those who apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The role requires lived or living experience related to substance use and the toxic drug crisis, which is considered essential. Candidates should possess experience in peer support or community-based work and demonstrate strong communication and relationship-building skills.
Market context
In British Columbia, behavioral-health roles often reflect ongoing demand in acute care, community mental health, and integrated service settings. These positions are competitive because employers typically look for current BC nursing registration, recent experience with acute mental illness, and comfort working on multidisciplinary teams. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to quickly compare fit against the original posting, then tailor your application to show relevant mental-health and team-based experience.