Reporting to the Manager, the Child & Youth Lead provides day-to-day oversight for the licensed Child Support program, including the After School Program and youth programming within the crisis shelter and YWCA’s affordable housing, Taylor Family Home. Centered in trauma-informed, culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate practice, this role ensures that children and youth who have experienced violence, instability and trauma receive coordinated support that strengthens resilience, fosters safety, and promotes healthy development.

The Lead champions an environment where children and youth can heal, learn, grow, and importantly experience joy and connection. This work is a key contributor to YWCA’s holistic and innovative model of shelter care, ensuring integrated pathways of support for children and youth during and after their shelter stay, and strengthening outcomes across the full shelter and housing continuum.

This is a 1-year contract position based on-site at the YWCA Crisis Shelter. The schedule consists of three day shifts and two evening shifts per week, with one weekend day shift per month, flexed in consultation with the Manager. Flexibility is required to respond to emergent situations and operational staffing needs, including occasional early morning shifts.

What We Offer

Truly rewarding work; contribute to lasting, positive change for individuals and our community

A supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development

Comprehensive benefits including an employee assistance plan

Paid time off (for eligible roles; prorated based on start date and FTE) includes:

3 weeks of paid vacation

6 personal days

12 sick days

A paid day off to celebrate your birthday

What You’ll Do

Provide ongoing team guidance and operational oversight for the licensed child support program, including the after-school program, ensuring compliance with licensing standards, safety protocols, and organizational policies and procedures

Deliver and model trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate care for children and youth aged 0 – 17.





Ensuring daily programming meets emotional, social, developmental and recreational needs while allowing space for fun, creativity, and age-appropriate play

Oversee staffing schedules, daily operations, and ratios to ensure consistent, safe, and regulatory-compliant service delivery

Participate directly in service delivery as needed to support licensing requirements in child support and actively facilitating youth programming alongside youth programming staff

Maintain solid communication with mothers/caregivers regarding their child’s progress, needs, safety considerations, and available supports

Partner closely with the Outreach Child and Youth Case Managers to coordinate continuity of care for children and youth transitioning from the shelter to community or housing programs

In collaboration with the Manager design, implement and evaluate a comprehensive programming slate for children and youth in shelter and affordable housing, aligned with best practices in trauma-informed care, child development, positive youth engagement and the outcomes of the holistic shelter model

Co-create individualized plans or support for children and youth with more complex needs in consultation with shelter staff, outreach case managers, partners and caregivers

Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, mentoring and guidance to Child & Youth workers to support high-quality, trauma-informed programming

Lead team meetings, reflective practice sessions, and ongoing professional learning opportunities to foster a cohesive and capable team culture

Identify and communicate any concerns related to staff performance, conduct, or policy adherence to the Manager in a timely manner.



The Lead does not carry responsibility for performance management; all performance management actions will be in collaboration with the Manager

Act as the primary liaison between the Manager and child and youth staff, ensuring timely communication, follow-up and issue resolution.

Maintain high-quality documentation, records, attendance logs, licensing reports, and program evaluations

Ensure all licensing documentation is up-to-date and collaborate with Facilities and Maintenance team in a timely manner prior to inspection dates

Track program metrics, outcomes, and participation for reporting to funders, leadership and evaluation team

Support grant-writing initiatives by providing program data, stories, outcomes and future development needs

Qualifications

Post-secondary education in Child & Youth Care, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, or a related field

Alberta Childcare Certification level 2 or higher, preferred

Valid Standard First Aid and CPR level C is required

Minimum 3-5 years of experience supporting children and youth in trauma-informed settings; experience in domestic violence services preferred

What You’ll Bring

Experience in gender-based violence, housing, or related sector, including experience in a leadership or team support role

Experience working with diverse populations, including Indigenous families, newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and others who face systemic barriers

Knowledge of child development, attachment, sensory regulation, and impacts of trauma

Emotional resilience, the ability to regulate under pressure, and consistent use of trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches

Strong communication, collaboration, coaching and problem-solving skills

YWCA Calgary is committed to providing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace where all employees, volunteers and clients feel valued and respected, whatever their race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, ancestry, or place of origin.

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📌 Child & Youth Lead (Alberta)
🏢 YWCA Calgary
📍 Alberta