Program Manager, Full-Time

Taproot Community Support Services; Parksville; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Work life balance

Career development

Competitive wages

Paid vacation

Job summary

Taproot Community Support Services is seeking a Program Manager to lead a specialized licensed program serving youth with complex care needs.

You will oversee clinical and administrative operations, ensuring trauma-informed, culturally responsive, harm-reduction oriented services, while coordinating with families, caregivers, MCFD, Indigenous partners and other professionals to support positive youth outcomes.

Job description

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.

Shoreline House provides culturally‑based programming, support and safe, home‑based accommodations for youth in the care of Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The resource is a staffed 24 hour resource providing a long term therapeutic placement for up to 3 children or youth. The resource supports children or youth who have experienced a trauma, are addressing adverse childhood experiences and/or overcoming other adversities. The program staff will be networking with and working alongside a team of professionals supporting the youth in many life domains, such as education, mental health, physical health, recreation and life skills.

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.

Shoreline House provides culturally‑based programming, support and safe, home‑based accommodations for youth in the care of Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The resource is a staffed 24 hour resource providing a long term therapeutic placement for up to 3 children or youth. The resource supports children or youth who have experienced a trauma, are addressing adverse childhood experiences and/or overcoming other adversities. The program staff will be networking with and working alongside a team of professionals supporting the youth in many life domains, such as education, mental health, physical health, recreation and life skills.

The Position

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Program Manager to lead a specialized licensed program supporting youth with complex care needs, including substance use, exploitation concerns, mental health challenges, and other high‑risk behaviours. The Program Manager provides overall leadership and oversight of the program, ensuring high‑quality, trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, and harm reduction‑based services. Working closely with youth, families, caregivers, MCFD, Indigenous partners, community service providers, clinical professionals, and internal care teams, this role serves as a key liaison and coordinator in the development, implementation, and monitoring of individualized care and safety plans. Reporting on program outcomes and service delivery, the Program Manager oversees a Program Supervisor and direct care team, providing leadership, coaching, and accountability to support positive outcomes for youth. The successful candidate demonstrates strong knowledge of MCFD policies, service standards, and licensing requirements, and is skilled at navigating complex systems, building collaborative partnerships, and supporting teams through high‑risk and dynamic situations. This position is ideal for a leader who is committed to trauma‑informed practice, harm reduction, family and community engagement, and creating meaningful opportunities for youth to achieve stability, safety, and connection. This management position is based at the Parksville Resource program location, and is NOT a remote/hybrid position.

Schedule

One (1) permanent, full‑time position available, with a weekly schedule of 40 hours per week:

• Hours are typically worked Monday through Friday between 0800-1600
• Requires the full ability to perform on‑call duties, which may include weekends, statutory holidays and evenings.

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 inter‑agency 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.
• Must have specific experience with financial and human resource management.
• Current WCB Occupational First Aid, Level 1 and CPR certificates required.
• Non‑Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Certificate and Conflict Resolution Certificate
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and clean driver’s abstract with a reliable, safe vehicle that has appropriate insurance
• Experience supporting youth involved in substance use, exploitation, and other high‑risk behaviours.
• Strong understanding of trauma‑informed, attachment‑based, and harm reduction approaches.
• Knowledgeable of MCFD policies, service standards, and care planning processes.
• Experience leading and mentoring supervisors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Skilled in balancing clinical, operational, and relational aspects of service delivery.
• Build strong partnerships with families, caregivers, Indigenous communities, funders, and community agencies.
• Remain calm, strategic, and solutions‑focused during complex situations and critical incidents.
• Be a strong advocate for youth and capable of coordinating multiple systems to support positive outcomes.

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

• Employee ownership from day one through our EOT, with opportunity for profit‑sharing dividends
• Work/life balance
• Learning and career development opportunities
• Competitive wages and salaries
• Paid vacation and benefits for eligible employees
• Defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan) for eligible employees within British Columbia
• Matching RRSP plan for eligible employees within Alberta
• Professional development opportunities and job‑related training
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Long Service Milestone rewards
• Employee referral bonus program
• A values‑driven workplace — as a Certified B Corp, we’re committed to using business as a force for good

For more information on Taproot Community Support Services visit our website: taproot.ca

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!

Equal-Opportunity Employer

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