Employment - Cedar Walk Program Manager

**Who we are**:

- UNYA has been supporting the health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth in the Metro Vancouver area for over 30 years. As a respected non-profit, charitable organization, we recognize Indigenous youth as experts in their own lives and strive to provide youth with programs and opportunities that are relevant and meaningful to them.
- At Urban Native Youth Association UNYA we have developed a Philosophy of Care foundation, drawing from best practices. These philosophies are the grounding framework that shapes all of our decisions and every interaction we have with the youth we serve. Following these philosophies empowers our staff to meet youth where they are at, by giving them the ability to balance flexibility and structure. This allows us to meet our youth’s needs, and ensure that our youth experience a consistent quality of care across all UNYA programs. Our 5 key philosophies are:

- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Two-Eyed Seeing
- Harm Reduction Practice
- Youth/Person Centered Practice
- Culture as Therapy

**Highlights of this opportunity**:
Cedar Walk is an alternative education program for Indigenous youth ages 16 to 18 whose needs are not being met in traditional school programs. Indigenous teachings, knowledge, and perspectives are an important part of learning at Cedar Walk. We provide tools and create space for each student to experience and explore traditional Indigenous practices and teachings, and to share their own cultural knowledge.
- The Program Manager is responsible for working in partnership with the Vancouver School Board (VSB) and the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) to a ensure safe and supportive environment that is culturally open and accessible in order to support the personal and educational development of youth participants. This position is also responsible for all aspects of supervision for two Youth Care Counsellors.

***The Program Manager reports directly to the Director of Youth Programs. The position is 40 hours per week and regular hours will be Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm. These hours will be adjusted occasionally based on the needs of the program.

**Qualifications and Conditions**:

- Educational experience required (example: Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, 5 years of recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience)
- Experience working with the Indigenous community. Must demonstrate a good working knowledge of community resources in Vancouver, particularly youth & Indigenous-specific resources.
- Knowledge and understanding of the family and social issues that Indigenous youth face today, including the generational impacts of the residential school system on families and communities.
- Must demonstrate the ability to identify with mandate, policies and procedures of the organization.
- Must have a criminal record check completed by and satisfactory to UNYA.
- Proof of Covid-19 vaccination will be required
- Vehicle/driving abstract/first aid requirements (if relevant to the position)

The Program Manager is responsible for working in partnership with the Vancouver School Board (VSB) and the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) to a ensure safe and supportive environment that is culturally open and accessible in order to support the personal and educational development of youth participants.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Supervise and coordinate UNYA program staff. Establish effecting employee coaching and support to ensure the success of the program. Ensure they timely competition of criminal record checks, staff orientation and training, and performance evaluations form all program staff. Compile and submit all personnel-related information to the Director of Youth Programs and/or the Accounting Department in an accurate and timely manner.
- Ensure care-plan meets each youths mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional needs including but not limited to the areas of culture, safety, finance, housing, education, social, support, and recreation. Support the implementation of care-plans and intervention strategies.
- Ensure that all members of a youth’s professional team are kept up-to-date on effectiveness of the care-plan, youth’s progress, any new issues or trends, and any behavioral changes.
- Organize, facilitate, and supervise youth in group activities/outings, P.E., arts and crafts, tutoring, academics, etc. Positively participate in all Cedar Walk programming and activities in order to provide a positive role model experience for youth participants.
- Establish and maintain a network of positive working relationships with other UNYA programs and other community programs/resources to ensure effective referrals and enhance access to a strong continuum of supports. Ensure that youth are being referred to appropriate services in the community, as individual needs require. Provide information, advocacy, and support in the referral process for internal