Program Leader

Program Leader - Seasonal Contract

ABOUT KIDSAFE

At KidSafe, we work on the ground to help the children and families who need us most. When schools close for winter, spring and summer breaks, KidSafe opens.

Each program participant is professionally referred by social workers, school counsellors, principals, teachers, or refugee and newly immigrant community support workers, as a child in need of a safe, accessible, and enriching and no-cost program due to systemic barriers they and their family face. For many children and youth, the absence of school can result in extended periods of unsupervised vulnerable time. We support children in Vancouver schools between 5-12 years old and serve up to 450 children and youth annually. The kids we work with are incredibly resilient, and full of life and inspire KidSafe staff who are lucky to work with them day after day.

POSITION DETAILS

The Program Leader is responsible for on-site programming which includes planning and leading activities, through a trauma-informed approach, that promotes positive socio-emotional development. This vital position reports directly to their Program Supervisor and the Manager of Program Operations.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
**Programming**
- Plans, organizes, and implements recreational, social, and/or educational activities and pre-determined programs in accordance with KidSafe’s curricular framework prior to the first day of session, in collaboration with the Program Supervisor.
- Manages and leads the Activity Leader(s) at their site and takes the initiative on planning and leading activities.
- Ensures accurate program records, reporting forms, end-of-session reports and any other assigned records are filled out in a timely manner, as well as safe-guarding all confidential information.
- Ensures that the facility is always clean and tidy, assisting with the set-up and tear-down of the program at the beginning and end of the program session.
- Steps in to lead the site in the absence of the Program Supervisor.

**Participant Engagement & Behaviour Education**
- Working within KidSafe’s three core philosophies (Trauma-Informed Practice, Place-Based Learning and Universal Design for Learning) to deliver safe and appropriate experiences.
- Ensures that the emotional and physical safety, and nutritional needs of participants are met within KidSafe program standards, guidelines, and policies.
- Supports children with integrating into KidSafe programs and works with the team to best support all participants.
- Accounts for unique needs of each child in their care and ensures that program modifications are available for those who need it.
- Implements behavior education techniques and other best practices as outlined in the training modules.

**Academic and Job Experience Required**:

- Completed, or in the process of completing, a Child and Youth Care Diploma, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Social Work or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- Two years of experience working with children facing various barriers.

**Job-Specific Competencies and Skills**:

- Must have, or be willing to obtain, a CRC for Vulnerable Sector Check, prior to the first day of the program.
- Valid First Aid and CPR certification
- FoodSafe Certification
- Experience working with diverse populations as well as proficiency in a second language is valuable to this position due to the demographics that KidSafe serves.
- Excellent oral, written, facilitation and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills with the ability to problem-solve and coach younger staff.
- Sound judgment and effective personal skills.

**HOW TO APPLY**

We thank all interested applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.