Child and Youth Manager

Location: Quw'utsun Territory (Cowichan Valley, BC)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Compensation: $75 000 $ MERC

Benefits: Extended health and dental, RRSP contributions, EAP, and wellness supports after

probation

Start Date: As soon as possible

Posting Date: 2025 Dec 3rd

About CWAVS

For more than forty years, the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society has advanced safety,

dignity, and justice for women, children, youth, and families. Our services are grounded

in feminist, trauma-informed, decolonizing, and anti-oppressive practice.

We provide culturally grounded supports across several programs. These include emergency shelter,

second-stage and transitional housing for women and families fleeing violence, counselling,

outreach, child and youth advocacy, legal support, and community education.

CWAVS works on the unceded territories of the Quw'utsun Mustimuhw. Their leadership, knowledge, and

teachings guide our commitment to cultural safety, relationship-based work, and community-rooted

responses.

About CWAVS Child and Youth Services

CWAVS offers a range of child and youth programming, including the Raven's Nest Child and Youth

Advocacy Centre, Healthy Relationships prevention and education programs and PEACE counselling for

young people who have been impacted by violence.

These programs operate in partnership with Indigenous leadership, Elders and Knowledge Keepers,

schools, RCMP, MCFD, health professionals, and community agencies to provide

safe, culturally grounded, and healing-centred supports for children and their families.

About the Child and Youth Manager Role

CWAVS is seeking a Child and Youth Manager who will provide strong, values-based

leadership across our child and youth programs. This position is based at Raven's Nest CYAC and

supports child and youth practice across all CWAVS programs, including housing and shelter,

counselling, outreach, and advocacy services.

The Manager supports staff navigating complex systems such as MCFD, police, courts, education, and

health. The role supervises CYAC Advocates and Healthy Relationships Facilitators, and works

alongside the WAVAW Clinical Program Manager to support the PEACE Counsellors. Oversight for the

PEACE program will transition gradually with support.

As a member of the management team, the Child and Youth Manager strengthens internal referral

pathways, advances culturally grounded and trauma-informed practice, builds community

partnerships, and helps carry forward CWAVS's mission of supporting safety, dignity, connection,

and cultural wellness for children, youth, and families.

Why Apply

If you are looking for a leadership role where your work truly makes an impact on the lives of

children, youth, and families, this is a meaningful opportunity. This position allows you to help

shape healing-centred and culturally grounded responses for young people navigating violence,

trauma, and system involvement.

You will be joining an organization where relational practice, cultural humility, and

community-rooted approaches guide every program. CWAVS is committed to supporting staff through

reflective practice, debriefing, and wellness resources, and we work collaboratively rather

than hierarchically.

This role is well suited to someone who:

•   wants to work in a trauma-informed, feminist, and anti-oppressive environment

•   values strong relationships with Indigenous Nations, Elders, and cultural wellness supports

•   enjoys supporting staff and strengthening team practice

•   thrives in collaborative and community-based work

•   is committed to reducing systemic harm and improving outcomes for children and youth

•   wants to be part of a leadership team that acts with care, accountability, and cultural

safety

If you want your work to contribute to safety, dignity, connection, and community wellness, we

would be glad to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

The Child and Youth Manager will:

•   Provide agency-wide guidance on child and youth best practices, safety planning,

trauma-informed approaches, and culturally grounded responses

•   Support CWAVS staff in navigating child protection processes, information sharing, and

multi-system involvement

•   Strengthen internal referral pathways and cross-program coordination

•   Lead multidisciplinary collaboration at the CYAC with Indigenous Nations, RCMP, MCFD,

schools, health providers, and community partners

•   Align child and youth programming across CWAVS, including advocacy, outreach, housing and

shelter supports, PEACE counselling, and prevention education

•   Supervise CYAC Advocates and Healthy Relationships Facilitators, and support

supervision of PEACE Counsellors

•   Facilitate reflective practice and wellness supports, including debriefing

•   Represent CWAVS at community tables and networks

•   Oversee CYAC administrative systems such as documentation, privacy, evaluation, and

statistical reporting

•   Support contributions to grants, reporting, and strategic planning

A full job description is available upon request.

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who have:

• A degree in Child and Youth Care, Indigenous Studies, Social Work, Counselling, Community Wellness, or a related field. An equivalent mix of education, training, and lived or living experience will be considered.

• At least five years of experience supervising or mentoring staff.

• Experience supporting children and youth in community, cultural, advocacy, counselling, housing, or education settings.

• Experience working with Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural wellness supports.

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed, culturally grounded, feminist, and healing-centred practice.

• Knowledge of child development, attachment, cultural identity, and the impacts of trauma.

• Familiarity with the Child, Family and Community Service Act and related systems such as MCFD, police, schools, and health.

• Strong communication, collaboration, crisis response, and relationship-building skills.

• A valid BC Class 5 Driver's Licence and a reliable vehicle.

• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.

Working Conditions

• Based primarily at Raven's Nest CYAC with regular work at other CWAVS sites

• Supporting staff who respond to disclosures of violence and complex child and youth situations

• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required

• Travel within the Cowichan Valley is required

• Wellness supports, supervision, and cultural resources are available

Equity, Accessibility, and Accommodation

CWAVS holds a Special Program Exemption under section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, which allows

us to give preference to Indigenous applicants. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit candidates are

strongly encouraged to apply. CWAVS is committed to equitable employment practices and applicants

may request accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.

How to Apply

Please email your resume and a cover letter to:

Subject line: Your Name - Child and Youth Manager Application

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Only shortlisted

candidates will be contacted.