Job Posting: Program Manager – Cedar Branches

Location:
Quw’utsun Territory (Cowichan Valley, BC) Position Title: Program Manager Reporting Relationship: Reports to the Director of Operations or designate Hours: 40 Hours per week with weekends and evenings, as necessary Employment Type: Full-time, on site; benefited after probation per CWAVS policy Work

Location:
On-site at 1081 Canada Ave., Duncan, BC Program Operation: 24/7 On-Call Availability: Required, with some evening and weekend work Salary Range: $70,000
- $80,000 (dependent on qualifications and related experience) Cowichan Women Against Violence Society (CWAVS) is seeking a compassionate and experienced Program Manager to provide leadership and oversight of Cedar Branches Shelter. The roles combines operational leadership, staff support, crisis response, and community relationships in a 24/7 program serving people experiencing housing insecurity and complex circumstances. As part of the CWAVS leadership team, the Program Manager plays a central role in creating a safe, welcoming, and responsive environment for residents and employees. The position combines day-to-day operational oversight, staff leadership, crisis response, community relationships, and program accountability. The Program Manager leads through relationships, collaboration, and thoughtful decision-making, applying feminist, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and decolonizing approaches. Working closely with the Director of Operations and People and Culture, this role supports culturally safer services and a respectful workplace grounded in Safety, Dignity, and Connection. What CWAVS Offers:
- Competitive compensation aligned with experience and qualifications
- Extended health and dental benefits following probation
- Paid vacation and wellness days per policy
- Employer-contributed RRSP
- Ongoing training, supervision, and opportunities for professional growth
- A collaborative, values-driven workplace rooted in Safety, Dignity, and Connection What You’ll be Doing: Leadership:
- Serves as the primary on-site leader for the Shelter Program, holding responsibility for daily operations while fostering a collaborative, team-based approach.
- Practices leadership rooted in feminist, trauma informed and decolonized principles, including shared leadership, equity and awareness of power dynamics.
- Embeds anti-racism, inclusion, equity, and diversity practices into daily operations in ways that are responsive to the community served.
- Supports a trauma-informed approach across all areas of the shelter.
- Works closely with CWAVS leadership to foster a respectful and supportive work environment and participates in regular leadership meetings
- Represents the Shelter Program in strategic planning and supports its growth in alignment with CWAVS’ broader mission.
- Makes timely, informed decisions to support the safety and wellbeing of residents and staff.
- Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with community agencies to support individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Program & Staff Supervision:
- Supervises, supports, and evaluates shelter staff, including participating in recruitment and onboarding, performance, coaching and professional development.
- Supports operational planning through weekly scheduling coordination and monthly data collection and reporting activities.
- Facilitates staff training, mentoring,



and cross-training to support continuous growth and development.
- Leads the review and revision of site-specific procedures in collaboration with the Director of Operations to support consistent trauma-informed and decolonized practices.
- Leads team meetings and provides guidance in complex client or staff situations.
- Maintains clear and consistent communication between shelter staff and leadership teams, to support transparency and collaboration.
- Sets clear expectations and supports staff in applying trauma-informed, anti-oppression and culturally safer practices, addressing concerns through coaching and accountability in collaboration with People & Culture as appropriate.
- Conducts probationary and annual reviews with guidance and support from People & Culture, using reflective and strength-based approaches.
- Supports staff wellbeing through regular debriefing and recognition of secondary or vicarious trauma. Client Services:
- Provides direct client support when necessary, ensuring residents have access to appropriate support.
- Acts as a key resource and escalation point for staff, offering guidance on client-related matters, including debriefing and navigating referrals.
- Steps into frontline roles in emergencies and supports crisis response within the shelter.
- Leads responses to crisis situations using de-escalation and co-regulation approaches, including situations involving substance use or other complex behaviors. Facilities Management:
- Identifies and coordinate shelter maintenance and safety needs, reports deficiencies, and follows up on repairs in collaboration with the designated facilities lead or Director of Operations.
- Supports a safe, clean and secure shelter environment consistent with applicable requirements and compliance with licensing standards and organizational policies related to site management. Professional, Financial, and Legal

Responsibilities:

- Collaborates with the Director of Operations or designate to manage the shelter's budget, ensuring all financial records are accurate and up-to-date and in compliance with funding agreements
- Ensures the program meets contractual, reporting, and operational requirements related to the shelter’s operations.
- Oversees program record-keeping practices, ensuring accuracy and alignment with organizational and legal requirements
- Actively participates in ongoing career development to remain current in leading practices in shelter operations and service delivery. Our Ideal Candidate Brings:
- Relevant post-secondary education in social work, human services, community services, or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of education, lived experience, and relevant professional experience will be considered.
- Demonstrated experience in program operations, team supervision, or leadership within a shelter, housing, social services, or community-based environment.
- Experience supporting individuals impacted by trauma, violence, poverty, housing insecurity, substance use, or systemic barriers.
- Knowledge and practical application of trauma-informed,



feminist, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and decolonizing approaches.
- Experience supporting employee development, coaching, scheduling, and performance conversations.
- Familiarity with crisis intervention, de-escalation, and collaborative approaches to complex situations. This position requires:
- Satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal reference check in accordance with CWAVS policies and funder requirements.
- Satisfactory Drivers Abstract
- Legal entitlement to work in Canada Demonstrated

Skills:

- Relational leadership and the ability to foster trust, respectful communication, collaboration, and shared accountability.
- Sound judgment and timely decision-making in complex, sensitive, and evolving situations.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, including facilitating difficult conversations and conflict resolution.
- Ability to balance day-to-day operations, competing priorities, staffing needs, and longer-term program goals.
- Commitment to cultural humility, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and decolonizing practice.
- Confidentiality, ethical decision-making, professional boundaries, and attention to sustainable workplace practices. Work Environment:
- Combination of office-based work, direct team support, and agency outreach
- A high degree of responsibility for maintaining confidentiality, ethical practice, and professional boundaries
- The work involves supporting individuals and teams navigating complex experiences related to poverty, trauma, violence, and systemic injustice
- Requires sound judgment, self-awareness, and attention to sustainable workload practices and personal well-being About Cowichan Women Against Violence Society: CWAVS has been serving the Cowichan Valley for over 45 years, providing shelter, crisis response, counselling, advocacy, and prevention services. Our work is grounded in safety, dignity, and connection, and we are committed to fostering a workplace where staff feel supported, respected, and able to do meaningful work together. We value lived experience and recognize multiple pathways to expertise. Equity, Accessibility & Accommodation CWAVS holds a special program exemption under the BC Human Rights Code that allows the prioritization of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) candidates for this position. We strongly encourage Indigenous applicants and individuals from diverse equity-seeking groups, including BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities, to apply. CWAVS values lived experience and recognizes multiple pathways to expertise, including knowledge gained through community work, caregiving, and personal healing journeys. We are committed to creating a culturally safe, accessible, and inclusive workplace. Accommodation in the hiring process and employment is available upon request.

How to Apply
Please email your resume and a cover letter to: Email: [email protected] Subject line: Your Name – Program Manager – Cedar Branches Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. We thank all applicants; however, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Pay: $70,000.00-$80,000.00 per year

Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care Work

Location:
In person

📌 Program Manager – Cedar Branches (Duncan)
🏢 Cowichan Women Against Violence (CWAV) Society
📍 Duncan