Job Vacancy – Manager of Youth & Family Programs

(keep scrolling for the full text)

Purpose

This senior management position at Gordon Neighborhood House works under the direction of the Executive Director to plan, organize, direct and evaluate the delivery of programs for children, youth and families. While the specific portfolio of programs may change and grow from year to year, programs under the direction of this position include our Family Resource Program, Youth programs, Spring/Summer Camps and Community Counselling program. This position will support the growth and operation of licensed childcare, youth, food justice and mental health programming on Vancouver’s downtown peninsula, in many cases becoming responsible for these programs as secured.

The ideal candidate is passionate about building healthy and strong communities, specifically through the lens of promoting the wellbeing of children, youth and families. They will be tasked with creating the conditions at the Neighborhood House where children can thrive, parents are part of a supportive community, and everyone has access to mental wellness content. In other words, “it takes a village”, and this position will be central to realizing that vision at Gordon House.

This is a senior leadership position at Gordon Neighborhood House. Accordingly, the candidate is expected to be a role model for the team in their commitment to our core values. These include a commitment to inclusion, anti-racism, decolonization and social justice. We support a broad range of families, including LGBTQ+ families, families that speak many different languages, Indigenous families, single parent households, multigenerational households, etc. The DYFP is expected to show a high level of competence in designing programs that are inclusive for everyone.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from everyone.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Key duties for this position include the following:
  • Working closely with GNH leadership, GNH staff, volunteers and local community to advance the individual and collective interests of children, youth and families across the West End and Downtown neighborhoods;
  • Managing the design, delivery and evaluation of community programs/services as assigned by the Executive Director, which may include licensed childcare;
  • Recruiting and managing a team of front-line staff, volunteers, students and interns to provide high quality services in relevant program area(s);
  • Overseeing program budgets and program expenditures;
  • Keeping comprehensive and detailed records associated with program area(s), including tracking program deliverables on a monthly basis, evaluating program outcomes on an ongoing basis and drafting program reports as needed;
  • Leading ongoing program development, including through seeking/soliciting additional funding, researching/drafting grant applications, developing strategic partnerships and presenting on relevant programs as needed;
  • Maintaining a high quality standard in all programs, including ensuring all licensing or program-specific legislated requirements are met and exceeded;
  • Providing ongoing support, resources and advocacy to children, youth and families, including one-on-one support to individual youth and families;
  • Working in-program to deliver high quality services;
  • Developing and maintaining partnerships with government, health authorities, partner organizations, advocacy groups, communities of practice, volunteers, participants and donors;
  • Leading and participating in the coordination of special events, trainings, community-engagement and team-building activities;
  • Championing the needs, aspirations and visions of communities involved in respective program area(s), including through facilitating community advocacy efforts, participating in relevant community/city-wide processes, and creating meaningful opportunity for community engagement/leadership in respective program area(s);
  • Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to education and growth, including through researching/reading relevant policies/reports, seeking and participating in formal and informal learning opportunities, and always working to deepen understanding of the Downtown-West End neighborhoods and program demographics;
  • Role modelling commitment to relevant Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Commission Calls to Justice, anti-racism, 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and accessibility for people of all abilities.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Education or Recreation, or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience;
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with children and youth required;
• Minimum 2 years of experience supervising staff, volunteers or interns;
• Experience working in a licensed/accredited setting is considered an asset;
• Excellent time management and ability to work effectively under pressure, deadlines and shifting workloads;
• Strong leadership and exceptional interpersonal skills;
• Strong conflict resolution skills;
• Strong strategic thinking abilities, and a commitment and excitement for leading the growth of their program area(s);
• Strong written communication abilities;
• Organized and detail-oriented;
• Knowledge of cultural humility, positive behavior support and trauma-informed practice considered an asset;
• Creative, a sense of humor and able to create a fun/collaborative work environment;
• Commitment to lifelong learning;
• Knowledge and commitment to anti-racism, principles of Truth and Reconciliation, inclusion and accessibility;
• A deep commitment to children, youth and families, and to the work of a Neighbourhood House.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work flexible hours – may require evening and weekend work;
• Ability to work outdoors on occasion
• Class 4 Driver’s License, or willingness to obtain, considered an asset.

Terms of employment

28 – 35 hours per week. Opportunities to grow. Competitive benefits package and flexible working conditions (e.g. partial work-from-home arrangements).

Starting salary between $27.84 and $33.85/hour.

Application Process

Submit a Cover Letter and Resume to Siobhan Powlowski, Executive Director, by July 23 2021. siobhan@gordonhouse.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered.