Program Lead

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Program Manager, Community Support Program, the Program Lead provides clinical leadership and day-to-day supervision to Community Mental Health Workers, the Transitional Housing Support Worker, and Peer Supporters. The role guides consistent, safe and effective practice to promote participant well-being, housing stability and eviction prevention.

The Program Lead supports staff through clinical consultation, coaching, problem-solving and decisions within the role’s authority. Practice is grounded in Housing First, harm reduction, person-centred and trauma-informed approaches, including motivational interviewing and the SET for Health self-management framework.

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Oversight and Staff Supervision

• Provide day-to-day supervision, clinical consultation, coaching and debriefing to Community Mental Health Workers, the Transitional Housing Support Worker and Peer Supporters, within each role’s scope of practice.

• Guide staff responses to complex mental health, substance use health, behavioural, housing and safety concerns, supporting sound judgment, appropriate boundaries and consistent participant-centred practice.

• Participate in the On-Call Team and provide after-hours and weekend guidance and escalation support in accordance with established protocols.

• Provide occasional case management coverage, as assigned by the Program Manager, to address unforeseen service gaps and maintain continuity of participant care and support.

Practice Standards and Program Implementation

• Guide consistent application of program practices, tools, policies and procedures, including SET for Health, motivational interviewing, Housing First, harm reduction and trauma-informed approaches.

• Identify practice gaps and service delivery barriers, work with staff on practical improvements and communicate significant or emerging concerns to the Program Manager.

• Promote participant dignity, autonomy, choice, safety and housing stability in staff decision-making and team practice.

Staff Development and Performance Feedback

• Support orientation and onboarding of new staff in coordination with the Program Manager and People & Culture, as required.

• Provide ongoing mentoring, practice-based learning and timely, constructive performance feedback; identify development needs and bring them to the Program Manager.

• Build staff confidence and capability in clinical judgment, crisis response, problem-solving and reflective practice.

Housing Stability, Eviction Prevention and Safety

• In collaboration with case managers, guide staff on eviction prevention, guest management, housing stability and appropriate escalation of participant- or housing-specific concerns.

• Support staff in assessing safety concerns, responding to incidents and implementing safety plans while maintaining a harm-reduction and housing-focused approach.

• Refer significant tenancy, safety, behavioural or participant concerns to the Program Manager when decisions or interventions exceed the Program Lead’s scope.

Issue Escalation and Program Improvement

• Identify and respond to staffing, performance, safety, clinical practice and operational concerns within delegated authority; document and escalate significant matters in accordance with organizational procedures.

• Assist the Program Manager in identifying recurring concerns, trends and opportunities to strengthen service quality and program operations.

• Participate in staff meetings, team planning and professional development, and contribute to the improvement of program tools, procedures and practice.

• Model respectful communication, professional boundaries, psychological safety, accountability and collaborative problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in social work, psychology, nursing, or a related health or social sciences discipline.

• Current registration in good standing with the appropriate professional regulatory body, where applicable.

• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in community mental health, housing support, or related human services, including experience providing practice guidance, coaching, or staff supervision.

• Strong knowledge of mental health, substance use health, homelessness, housing stability, eviction prevention, crisis intervention, and safety planning.

• Demonstrated ability to apply Housing First, harm reduction, person-centred and trauma-informed approaches, including motivational interviewing and self-management strategies.

• Ability to provide sound clinical consultation within professional scope, support staff decision-making, recognize practice limitations, and escalate complex concerns appropriately.

• Strong skills in de-escalation, conflict resolution, reflective supervision, mentoring, and constructive performance feedback.

• Knowledge of community mental health, housing and income support systems, and experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external service providers.

• Excellent communication, documentation, assessment, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Valid First Aid/CPR and ASIST certification (or equivalent) required.

• Enhanced Reliability Status clearance with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) required and Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening required.

The Details

This is a full-time contract position until November 30, 2029. The hourly rate is $35.09 - $37.96. Stella’s Circle offers health and dental, long-term disability, life insurance, matching RRSP plan, sick leave, personal leave, birthday leave and three weeks vacation as well as 15 statutory holidays and summer hours.

Please send cover letter and resume by November 13th, 2026.