Program Director - School-Based Mental Health Services

ARC Programs Ltd.; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 89,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

RRSP/TFSA contributions

Job summary

ARC Programs Ltd. is seeking a Program Director of Elementary and Secondary School Based Mental Health Services to oversee clinicians delivering mental health supports to students in School District #23.

The role provides clinical leadership, coordination, and supervision to program staff while ensuring high-quality services. This full-time, year‑round position emphasizes strategic planning, referrals, intake, and collaboration with school staff, families, and partners.

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• 4+ years of clinical experience in mental health and/or family support services.
• Supervisory experience with similar services.
• Experience working in a school-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee clinicians delivering mental health services to elementary and secondary students in the SD#23 catchment.
• Provide clinical supervision and support to program counsellors.
• Coordinate referrals, intake, and case management processes.
• Lead program planning and development via the management team.
• Ensure documentation, incident reporting and quality assurance across the program.
• Support outreach and collaboration with school staff and community partners.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Trauma-informed care

Conflict resolution

School-based experience

Client records management

Education

Master of Social Work

Job description

Who We Are:

arc programs exists to create thriving communities, free of systemic barriers and full of belonging, equity, and hope. We have a bold vision to ensure everyone in our communities feels connected and cared for, and we are excited to be expanding our team to help us accelerate our impact!

We're Hiring:

Under the direction and supervision of the Director of Services, the Program Director of the Elementary and Secondary School Based Mental Health Services is responsible for overseeing clinicians delivering mental health services to elementary and secondary students within the School District #23 catchment area.

This role provides will provide clinical leadership, coordination, support, and supervision to program staff while ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.

While the E-SBMH Program pauses during the summer break, the Program Director position operates year-round. During this period, the Program Director will continue to fulfill program leadership, planning, coordination, and administrative responsibilities. The S-SBMH Program will continue to operate year-round while focusing on more outreach-based services to participants.

Hours / Schedule:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.

• Primarily Monday to Friday, however hours may fluctuate to accommodate the program’s schedule and the needs of the agency.

Responsibilities:

• Planning, organise, control, and direct the provision of services for assigned SD#23 elementary and secondary schools.

• Implementing comprehensive plans and strategies to achieve identified program objectives.

• Providing clinical supervision and support to program counsellors to address the complex needs of the students served.

• Providing supervision and support to program counsellors in relation to developing and maintaining client records and effective case management practices.

• Providing annual employee performance appraisals and cooperate with staff to develop performance objectives and professional development plans.

• Providing crisis consultation to program counsellors, in cooperation with other senior program staff, as applicable.

• Coordinating the referral, screening, and intake procedures for assigned elementary schools, in cooperation with school admin and counselling staff.

• Liaise and collaborate with school staff, school district admin staff, and collateral service providers to assist with service coordination, enhance program services and ensure best practice.

• Participating as a member of the Management Team to develop long range and strategic plans, and collaborate, assess and resolve operational issues as they arise.

• Completing administrative duties, including the range of required incident, quality assurance and program reports.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master of Social Work or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline (MA in Counselling, MA Psychology, etc.).

• 4- years of clinical experience in mental health and/or family support services.

• Supervisory experience with similar services.

• Child/youth mental health services.

To be successful in your role:

• Experience working in a school-based environment.

• To be well-versed in trauma-informed care

• Be experienced in the management of at‑risk behaviours.

• Excellent communication and coaching skills.

• Knowledge of and experience with conflict resolution and stress de‑briefing techniques.

• To function effectively both independently and as part of a team, in a fast-paced working environment.

Other Requirements:

• Need a valid BC Driver's License, regional insurance, and a reliable personal vehicle.

• Must undergo a screening process, including a criminal record search.

Wage / Benefit:

$8,000.00 - $8,250.00 per month on experience and education.

Upon successful completion of a trial period, this position is eligible for a full benefit package (including dental plan, vision coverage, life insurance, extended medical coverage, long-term disability plan, and RRSP or TFSA contributions); as well as accrued vacation and sick time at 5.8% - above BC Employment Standards!

Why we’re an employer of choice!

Like most in the social services sector, arc programs is an equal‑opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and ensure everyone on the team demonstrates cultural safety and sensitivity of all populations we serve.

But we believe there is more to our work culture that promotes high levels of employee satisfaction and retention…

We are inclusive

We use an anti-oppressive lens to inform our work with folx of all cultures, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socio-economic status, religions, and other oppressions to enhance our approach to equality.

We a re ever-evolving

We recruit and retain highly skilled staff and support their development through training, education, research, best practices, and innovation.

We foster a culture of continuous learning and lean into diverse perspectives, encouraging all voices to be heard and honouring the wisdom of Metaptmumk - ‘all-around seeing', a multidimensional way of knowing, doing and being that reinforces positive, reciprocal relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, while decolonizing western knowledge and supporting an intersectional lens to cultivate warm, reciprocal relationships – while engaging meaningfully with the provincial community social services sector, Indigenous communities, and agencies.

Discover more about our agency services and work culture at arcprograms.com.

We acknowledge that arc programs is situated in the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Syilx peoples in the Okanagan and West Kootenay region. We also acknowledge the Métis and Inuit peoples who reside in these regions.