Internal/External Job Posting

POSITION: Project Coordinator – PHAC Project
TEAM: Pieces to Pathways (P2P)
STATUS: Full Time 1 year contract
REPORTS TO: Clinical Director
HOURS/WEEK: 35 hours/week
POSTING DATE: March 25, 2024 – Monday April 8, 2024
SALARY RANGE: $56,752 – $68,427

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

Breakaway Community Services is a multifunction substance use service that provides a range of community-based and outreach programs. We are strongly committed to providing innovative community services from a harm-reduction, trauma-informed perspective. We develop programs that are accessible, barrier free, and open to all community members.

Breakaway Community Services is strongly committed to the principles of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. Priority will be given to people from BIPOC and other frequently under-represented and marginalized communities.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Pieces to Pathways (P2P) is a peer-led substance use support program for LGBTQ2S+ youth (16 to 29). Our services include the provision of a harm reduction drop-in, counseling, case management, and a psychoeducational trauma skills group.

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for leading a project funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). This project aims to improve substance use-related outcomes for underrepresented LGBTQ2S+ peoples—primarily Racialized, transfeminine, transmasculine, lesbian, bisexual, queer women, and non-binary peoples. The project aims to increase program capacity in a 3-prong approach:

1. Provide meaningful paid opportunities for young People Who Use Drugs (PWUD).
2. Reduce the rates of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) in our key populations (underrepresented LGBTQ2S+ peoples).
3.Meet the increased demand for P2P’s services—harm reduction kits, party outreach, and drug and overdose education.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Coordinator will directly oversee the recruitment, training, and ongoing supervision of six (6) harm reduction trainees with lived experience of drug use. The Trainee Project Coordinator will be responsible for developing harm reduction training curriculum, mentoring trainees to deliver harm reduction workshops, liaising with cross-sectoral community partners, tabling at various nightlife events, tracking data, and completing deliverables outlined in the partnership agreement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor six (6) harm reduction trainees with lived experience
  • Support trainees in developing knowledge, skills, and experience in harm reduction work
  • Provide one-to-one check-ins and supervision in person, text/email or phone calls
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with key community stakeholders and cross sectoral partners across Toronto.
  • Manage data collection, project financials, tracking, and year-end reporting
  • Support in the content development, workshop facilitation, and overall provision of the weekly Community Dinner drop-in (Thursday evenings)
  • Attend occasional harm reduction outreach at parties, raves, and special events serving LGBTQ2S+ youth (roughly 6-8 events total)
  • Lead educational workshops for service providers to enhance their capacity to prevent and reduce STBBI transmission rates among LGBTQ2S+ youth and People Who Use Drugs (PWUD)
  • Work with funders, auditors and evaluators to complete year-end program reporting.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A post-secondary degree in social work, public health, education, youth work, mental health and addictions, nursing; or an equivalent qualification.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience working with LGBTQ youth and/or harm reduction services in Toronto.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading public health projects of comparable scale and scope.
  • Knowledgeable about the transmission and prevention of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), particularly HIV and Hepatitis C.
  • Identifies as a person with lived experience in substance use, mental health, and as a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
  • Certified in CPR/BLS/AED, Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), and Indigenous Cultural Safety; or willing to become certified.
  • Demonstrated experience in responding to drug-related crisis, including opioid overdose, overamping and benzodiazepine overdose.
  • Must be available to work in-person every Thursday evening and the occasional weekend shift (approximately 6 per year).

 

ASSETS:

  • Possesses strong skills in project coordination/project management (formal or informal).
  • Extensive working knowledge of the constantly evolving illicit drug supply and drug poisoning crisis, along with its implications on the populations we serve.
  • Familiarity and experience with Microsoft technologies (Excel, Teams, Forms, Outlook).
  • Extensive knowledge of Toronto health, social services, mental health, and substance use services.
  • Commitment to our core team values, including respect for differences in experience and opinion, providing honest and timely feedback, engaging in self-reflection and mutual accountability, and demonstrating a willingness to repair professional working relationships.
  • Excellent interpersonal and professional communication skills.
  • Personal connection to West Toronto, Parkdale, and Etobicoke is an asset.

 

Please submit a resume and cover letter in one document by e-mail to Anne-Marie DiCenso (She/Her) Clinical Director at:
[email protected]
with the subject line:
Hiring Committee: Project Coordinator – PHAC Project

 

 

We thank all applicants. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Breakaway is committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. We seek to provide accessibility for all applicants, consistent with our accessibility policies and the AODA. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.