Job Posting: CO-PILOT Program Coordinator

MAX Ottawa has been working to improve the health and wellbeing of queer and trans men in the National Capital Region for over 20 years. As a community-based organization with a history in the HIV response, MAX is on the ground, meeting community members where they’re at, and offering social and support services, information, and referrals that meet their needs. MAX also works with healthcare and other service providers to improve the quality of care available in the region.

Our team is evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities, rolling out new tools, and expanding our programming. You’ll be joining a dedicated group of peers who are committed to having a meaningful impact for our friends, family, lovers, and neighbours.

ABOUT YOU

You thrive in party spaces and understand firsthand the experiences of queer communities and people who use drugs recreationally. You’re warm, approachable, and non-judgmental, making it easy for people to trust you. Harm reduction isn’t just something you support—it’s something you live, offering information and resources without stigma. Whether you’re chatting with someone at an event, providing harm reduction supplies, or connecting people to health and social services, you do it with honesty, care, kindness, and respect. As a coordinator, you take initiative, work with event organizers, supervise peer navigators and volunteers, and ensure outreach efforts run smoothly. You know how to balance being hands-on in the community while also keeping things organized behind the scenes, creating safer spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

ABOUT THE JOB

MAX’s Co-Pilot Program is a peer-based outreach team that provides immediate support at parties, festivals, and large events offering critical resources such as naloxone, water, drug self-test kits, and direct connections with EMS in the event of an overdose. The Co-Pilot Program Coordinator will work with the team of MAX Coordinators to create and distribute educational materials for event organizers and student clubs, ensure effective outreach, and facilitate access to professional support services such as EMS, ANCHOR, and substance use treatment. Additionally, the Coordinator will oversee peer volunteers to provide support at outreach events and facilitate referrals to health services—either immediately, in the case of an emergency, or to other substance use and mental health supports.

These activities are rooted in MAX’s mission, vision, and values and advance the goal of improved health outcomes among 2SGBTQ+ men and other men who have sex with men—regardless of how they identify (collectively, queer men), and trans and non-binary people in the National Capital Region.

Core Responsibilities: 

• Manage the Co-Pilot Program’s activities at events, and support the peer outreach team, including volunteers, ensuring they are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to effectively support attendees;
• Assist the Navigation and Training Coordinator in the preparation, implementation, and facilitation of training materials to maintain consistency and clarity across the team;
• Provide on-site assistance and education about the program to festival and event organizers and attendees;
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners, including local service providers, event organizers, bars/clubs, and student social clubs, to ensure smooth program operation and expand resource access; and
• Collaborate with the rest of the MAX team to ensure coordination and integration of resources, programs, and services across the organization.

The Coordinator is also responsible for the following general and administrative areas:

• Developing a work plan in collaboration with management;
• Developing and managing a program budget in collaboration with management;
• Ensuring the incorporation of evaluation metrics across all programming;
• Collecting and reporting on relevant data;
• Maintaining privacy standards in accordance with MAX policies; and
• Building and maintaining solid working and supportive relationships with service users, volunteers, external agencies, and other staff.

In addition to compliance with all organizational policies and procedures, the Coordinator is expected to behave ethically, demonstrate competence in effective communication and team building, demonstrate effectiveness in working in a collaborative environment, and demonstrate confidence in decision-making and in building relationships.

The Coordinator will also be expected to perform other duties as assigned, provided they are within the Coordinator’s capacity and skillset.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Requirements (These requirements must be met before the candidate will be considered for an interview)

• Relevant post-secondary degree or diploma (social work, mental health, community development, etc.) or equivalent experience in a related field;
• Minimum of three years of related work and/or volunteer experience within the community health and social services sector, or related field(s);
• Demonstrated knowledge of drugs and drug use, in particular in social and party spaces;
• Demonstrated knowledge of substance use support services within the National Capital Region;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the complexity of health issues that impact both 2SGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV or AIDS, and an understanding of the ways that other intersecting identities shape lived experience (e.g. race, gender identity, gender expression, disability/ability, immigration status, etc.); 
• Strong written and oral English communication skills;
• Experience working with 2SLGBTQIA+ people; and
• Experience in support work, the mental health sector, or customer service.

Rated Requirements (These requirements will be rated in an interview) 

• Ability to proactively identify and solve problems and respond well to changing circumstances;
• Strong interpersonal, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills;
• Proven ability to initiate and foster partnerships;
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member;
• Experience supporting a team of volunteers;
• Clear understanding of and commitment to working through harm reduction, queer liberation, and sex positive frameworks;
• Proficiency in using digital communications and work tools, including Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Slack, Zoom, and Teamwork;
• Willingness and ability to work within anti-racist, anti-colonial, and anti-oppressive frameworks and actively engage in ongoing learning about these frameworks;
• English–French bilingualism or multilingualism is an asset.

Personal Suitability 

• Active listener and empathetic;
• Excellent social skills; 
• High levels of initiative and creativity;
• Organized and able to work with little supervision; and
• Good boundaries, self-awareness, and commitment to ethics.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Hybrid work environment, split between in-office and remote (within the National Capital Region)
• Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• Term: to September 1, 2025, with possibility of extension
• Salary: $28/hour
• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package
• Start date: Immediately
• Reports to: Executive Director

MAX is an equal opportunity employer and people who have experienced marginalization are highly encouraged to apply. This includes people who use or have used drugs, people living with HIV, racialized people, gay, bisexual, or queer people, trans or gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to applications@maxottawa.ca. The posting will remain open until it is filled, and the application review process will begin on Monday, February 17.