Program Manager, Full-Time

The Program

At Taproot Community Support Services, we’re a 100 percent employee-owned organization through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Every employee is an owner from their first day, with a voice in shaping Taproot’s future and the opportunity to share in employee ownership dividends.

As a Certified B Corporation, we harness business for good. Since 1983 we’ve grown steadily, now delivering support across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario through more than 90 contracts.

Our 800-plus employee-owners live by five shared values: we are stronger together, we lead with optimism, we embrace challenges, we respect every voice, and we go above and beyond. Guided by these principles, we deliver more than 125 community-based services each year. We walk alongside about 1,600 children, youth, families, and people with diverse abilities, with revenues exceeding $70 million.

The Position

We are hiring a program manager in Nanaimo, BC. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and values-driven leader to establish and lead diverse staff team that supports one to two youth in a program, funded by MCFD. As youth transition from our program, new youth move in.

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience leading teams in high-acuity environments and will be comfortable supporting children and youth that are new to Taproot, and who have complex behavioural, mental health, substance use, and/or safety-related needs. Youth may be non-verbal, have high medical needs and need additional supports. They will have a strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, gender-affirming care, and person-centered approaches, and be committed to creating positive outcomes for youth through collaborative and therapeutic interventions.

Working within MCFD, Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) and Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) frameworks, the Program Manager will be responsible for building a strong team culture, supporting staff development, implementing effective practices, and ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality services. This role requires a confident and resilient leader who can effectively balance clinical, operational, and safety considerations while fostering a supportive environment for both youth and employees.

This role works in collaboration with clinical consultant, MCFD, CYMH/CYSN, community supports and the families of the children/youth we serve.

Schedule:
One (1) permanent, full-time position available, working 40 hours per week:
• 0830-1630 Monday through Friday.
• Requires the full ability to perform on-call duties, which may include weekends, statutory holidays and evenings.

This role is best suited for a compassionate, adaptable, and highly skilled leader who is passionate about supporting youth with complex needs and creating environments where both youth and staff can thrive.

In Your Role You Will

Manage / oversee a number of areas that include:

Administration
• Participate in long-term planning and visioning for the program and organization, contributing to the development of goals, objectives, and strategies to achieve organizational success.
• Develop and manage the annual program budget and perform periodic cost and productivity analyses. Utilizes data to evaluate program effectiveness and make informed decisions about future planning and improvements.
• Ensures personnel administration is completed and monitored to established agency, licensing, funder, and CARF standards.

Employee Relations
• Develop highly engaged staff and ensure optimal levels of qualified staff are available through the recruitment, screening, and hiring process.
• Provides coaching, mentorship and supervision of staff in performance and conduct, assigning work, training, growth opportunities and promotions, and team building activities to motivate employees to peak performance and productivity
• Evaluates and conducts regular performance conversations with staff, ensuring feedback is clear, constructive, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Manage employee/labour relations, conflict, concerns, compliance with provincial employment standards, applicable collective agreements, policies and ensuring a positive, safe work environment. Addresses and handles disputes, policy violations, misconduct, performance management and other concerns in a timely manner. Determines disciplinary actions and participates in decisions on staff terminations ensuring appropriate processes are followed.
• Responsible for cooperative management and union relationships, this includes resolving grievances and participating in labour management meetings and union negotiations.

Service Delivery
• Promote a safe, structured, and predictable environment that reduces conflict and enhances child and adult development.
• Design, implement and evaluate programs that support the developmental needs of children and adult individuals; while incorporating family involvement and trauma-informed care practices.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment where staff are empowered to build strong, positive relationships with children and adult individuals.
• Lead the development of strategies that mitigate potential trauma triggers and create a healing environment for individual in care.

Public/Community Relations
• Represent the program and/or agency at various interagency forums, as well as to the media, government agencies, families/caregivers, funding bodies, and/or the general public/local community; network with other agencies, organizations, individuals and community groups for the benefit of the service recipients and program, including participation on community boards, committees and professional groups.

• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as required.
• Provide on-call and emergency coverage on pager or cell.
• A complete and detailed list of key responsibilities can be available at time of interview.

***Prior to confirmation of employment, all applicants must provide a copy of a current Criminal Record Check and/or Government Screening Letter. These checks vary depending on province and sector and will be communicated by the Program Hiring Team.

As An Ideal Candidate You Possess

• A degree in one of the humanities, social sciences or related field with educational preparation for the roles of manager and administrator.
• Minimum of three years in a similar facility or program, with at least one year in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience leading and developing teams in residential, mental health, child welfare, or complex care environments.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, substance use supports, and youth mental health services.
• The ability to provide leadership, coaching, and sound decision-making during complex situations and crisis events.
• Experience building new teams, establishing program culture, and promoting staff accountability, engagement, and growth.
• Strong partnership and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively alongside MCFD, CYMH, families, community partners, and multidisciplinary service providers.
• Flexibility to respond to operational needs and provide after-hours leadership support as required.
• Current WCB Occupational First Aid, Level 1 and CPR certificates required.
• Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Certificate and Conflict Resolution Certificate
• Experience with basic sign language and/or alternative communication strategies training or experience an asset.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and clean driver’s abstract with a reliable, safe vehicle that has appropriate insurance

Other Requirements:
• Prior experience in Trauma Informed Practices
• Prior experience in implementing Behavioural Interventions
• Successful criminal record/vulnerable sector check.
• Successful candidate must sign an oath of confidentiality, a conflict of interest statement, abuse protocols, and a code of ethics statement

What Taproot Community Support Services Does

At Taproot, your passion for helping others can truly make a difference. As an employee-owned company, we value collaboration, learning, and innovation. Our strength-based approach guides both our care and how we support each other. Join a team where your voice matters, and together, we're building a company we're proud of.

Our Employees Enjoy

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you! Please apply.

Equal-Opportunity Employer
Our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment is unwavering. We believe that varied backgrounds and experiences fuel innovation and success. As an equal-opportunity employer, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion across all operations. We're seeking candidates passionate about contributing to our multicultural teams and enriching our workplace with their unique insights and cultural sensitivity.
We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.

No telephone calls please. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.