The Program

At Taproot Community Support Services, we’re a 100 percent employee-owned organization through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Every employee is an owner from their first day, with a voice in shaping Taproot’s future and the opportunity to share in employee ownership dividends.

The Program

At Taproot Community Support Services, we’re a 100 percent employee-owned organization through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Every employee is an owner from their first day, with a voice in shaping Taproot’s future and the opportunity to share in employee ownership dividends.

As a Certified B Corporation, we harness business for good. Since 1983 we’ve grown steadily, now delivering support across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario through more than 90 contracts.

Our 800-plus employee-owners live by five shared values: we are stronger together, we lead with optimism, we embrace challenges, we respect every voice, and we go above and beyond. Guided by these principles, we deliver more than 125 community-based services each year. We walk alongside about 1,600 children, youth, families, and people with diverse abilities, with revenues exceeding $70 million.

The Position

We are hiring a program manager in Nanaimo, BC. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and values-driven leader to establish and lead diverse staff team that supports one to two youth in a program, funded by MCFD. As youth transition from our program, new youth move in.

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience leading teams in high-acuity environments and will be comfortable supporting children and youth that are new to Taproot, and who have complex behavioural, mental health, substance use, and/or safety-related needs.



Youth may be non-verbal, have high medical needs and need additional supports. They will have a strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, gender-affirming care, and person-centered approaches, and be committed to creating positive outcomes for youth through team-oriented and therapeutic interventions.

Working within MCFD, Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) and Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) frameworks, the Program Manager will be responsible for building a solid team culture, supporting staff development, implementing effective practices, and ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality services. This role requires a confident and resilient leader who can effectively balance clinical, operational, and safety considerations while fostering a supportive environment for both youth and employees.

This role works in collaboration with clinical consultant, MCFD, CYMH/CYSN, community supports and the families of the children/youth we serve.

Schedule

One (1) permanent, full-time position available, working 40 hours per week:

- 0830-1630 Monday through Friday.
- Requires the full ability to perform on-call duties, which may include weekends, statutory holidays and evenings.

This role is best suited for a compassionate, adaptable,



and highly skilled leader who is passionate about supporting youth with complex needs and creating environments where both youth and staff can thrive.

In Your Role You Will

Manage / Oversee a Number Of Areas That Include

- Participate in long-term planning and visioning for the program and organization, contributing to the development of goals, objectives, and strategies to achieve organizational success.
- Develop and manage the annual program budget and perform periodic cost and productivity analyses. Utilizes data to evaluate program effectiveness and make informed decisions about future planning and improvements.
- Ensures personnel administration is completed and monitored to established agency, licensing, funder, and CARF standards.

Employee Relations

- Develop highly engaged staff and ensure optimal levels of qualified staff are available through the recruitment, screening, and hiring process.
- Provides coaching, mentorship and supervision of staff in performance and conduct, assigning work, training, growth opportunities and promotions, and team building activities to motivate employees to peak performance and productivity
- Evaluates and conducts regular performance conversations with staff, ensuring feedback is clear, constructive, and aligned with organizational goals.
- Manage employee/labour relations, conflict, concerns, compliance with provincial employment standards, applicable collective agreements, policies and ensuring a positive, safe work environment. Addresses and handles disputes, policy violations, misconduct, performance management and other concerns in a timely manner. Determines disciplinary actions and participates in decisions on staff terminations ensuring appropriate processes are followed.

📌 Program Manager, Full-Time (Nanaimo)
🏢 Taproot Community Support Services
📍 Nanaimo