Job Overview

Zion Quality Care (ZQC) is a residential care organization dedicated to providing safe, supportive, structured, and nurturing environments for children and youth with diverse developmental, emotional, behavioural, and social needs.

Our program focuses on trauma-informed care, individualized support, positive behavioural interventions, life skills development, and helping children and youth achieve meaningful personal growth.

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate, and results-driven Program Director to provide strategic leadership, oversee residential operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain high standards of care across our programs.

Position Summary

The Program Director will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and operational oversight of Zion Quality Care's residential services.

The successful candidate will ensure that all programs operate in accordance with applicable Ontario legislation, Ministry requirements, organizational policies, and established standards of care.

The Program Director will work closely with the Program Supervisor, Assistant Program Supervisor, frontline staff, clinical service providers, placing agencies, and organizational leadership to ensure effective service delivery and positive outcomes for children and youth.

Key Responsibilities1. Program Leadership and Operations

- Provide strategic and operational leadership for residential care programs.
- Oversee day-to-day program operations to ensure protected, effective, and consistent service delivery.
- Supervise and support the Program Supervisor and other management personnel.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve program policies, procedures, and operational standards.
- Ensure appropriate staffing levels, scheduling, and resource allocation.
- Monitor program performance, identify operational challenges, and implement corrective actions.

2. Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

- Ensure compliance with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA), applicable Ontario regulations, and Ministry licensing requirements.
- Oversee licensing readiness, inspections, compliance reviews, and corrective action plans.
- Maintain oversight of required documentation, including Plans of Care, safety plans, incident reports, medication records, and daily documentation.
- Ensure serious occurrences are identified, documented, and reported within applicable regulatory timelines.
- Conduct internal quality assurance reviews and regular program audits.
- Maintain organizational readiness for Ministry inspections and agency reviews.

3. Child and Youth Care Oversight

- Ensure children and youth receive individualized, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate care.
- Oversee the development, implementation, and review of individualized Plans of Care and Behaviour Support Plans.
- Coordinate with clinical professionals, including psychologists, behavioural consultants, and other healthcare providers.
- Promote positive behavioural support strategies, crisis prevention, and safe intervention practices.
- Ensure the rights, dignity, safety,



and well-being of children and youth are consistently protected.
- Monitor placement stability, youth progress, and service outcomes.

4. Staff Leadership and Development

- Lead recruitment, onboarding, supervision, and performance management of program staff.
- Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development to supervisors and frontline employees.
- Ensure staff maintain mandatory training and certifications, including crisis intervention, First Aid/CPR, trauma-informed care, and other required competencies.
- Promote a positive, accountable, collaborative, and supportive workplace culture.
- Address employee performance concerns, workplace conflicts, and operational challenges professionally and promptly.

5. Agency Relations and Stakeholder Engagement

- Build and maintain strong relationships with Children's Aid Societies, Indigenous child and family service agencies, Ministry representatives, and community partners.
- Participate in placement referrals, admission assessments, service planning, and case conferences.
- Maintain effective communication with placing agencies regarding youth progress, incidents, service needs, and placement arrangements.
- Represent Zion Quality Care professionally during meetings, inspections, and stakeholder engagements.
- Support the development of partnerships that enhance program quality and service delivery.

6. Financial and Administrative Oversight

- Support program budgeting, financial planning, and cost management.
- Monitor staffing expenditures, operational costs, and resource utilization.
- Review program expenditures to ensure financial accountability.
- Support organizational leadership in developing sustainable and efficient residential care operations.
- Prepare operational reports, performance summaries, and recommendations for continuous improvement.

Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Psychology, Social Services, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience working in residential child and youth services, child welfare, or a closely related field.
- Minimum 3 years of supervisory or management experience in a residential care or child and youth services environment.
- Strong working knowledge of Ontario's Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrated experience managing residential programs, supervising multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, behavioural support, crisis intervention, and child protection practices.
- Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.




- Ability to successfully complete a Vulnerable Sector Check and other required employment screening.

Preferred Qualifications

- Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Child and Youth Care, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Previous experience as a Program Director, Residential Services Manager, Program Manager, or Senior Program Supervisor.
- Experience working with Ontario Ministry licensing and compliance processes.
- Experience managing residential programs serving children and youth with complex behavioural and emotional needs.
- Knowledge of Indigenous cultural safety, diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service delivery.
- Experience developing organizational policies, quality assurance systems, and operational procedures.

Key Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

- Strong leadership and sound professional judgment.
- A commitment to child-centred, trauma-informed practice.
- Excellent regulatory compliance and risk management skills.
- Effective conflict resolution and crisis management abilities.
- Strong stakeholder relationship management.
- High ethical standards, professionalism, and accountability.
- The ability to balance quality care with operational efficiency.

Why Join Zion Quality Care?

At Zion Quality Care, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth while contributing to the growth and development of a residential care organization.

We offer:

- A leadership opportunity with meaningful operational responsibility.
- The ability to influence program development and quality improvement.
- A collaborative and supportive working environment.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Learn more about us by visiting https://zionqualitycare.ca/

Pay: $30.00-$40.00 per hour

Benefits:

- Company events
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care
- Wellness program
- Work from home

Application question(s):

- Do you have a valid First Aid CPR certification?
- Do you have experience working with Children's Aid Societies across Ontario?
- Do you have an updated crisis intervention training (e.g. CPI, TCI, NVCI etc.)?
- Do you have experience in the licensing process/renewing the license for a group home (children's residence)?
- Are you able to write Ontario group home policies and procedures documents?
- Do you have a valid Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in a social services related field from a Canadian, USA or UK University?
- Do you have a flexible schedule? and willing to work weekends?
- Are you willing to lead a new youth group home and help set up operational structures?
- How many years of experience do you have working as a group home program supervisor or director?
- It is an in-person full time opportunity in Northern Oshawa with the expectation to work minimum of 40 hours per week. Does this work for you?
- Are you willing to be passionate about us and spearhead the vision of Zion Quality Care as a new program?

Work Location: In person

📌 Group Home Program Director (Children's Residence) (Oshawa)
🏢 Zion Quality Care
📍 Oshawa