Job Title: Program Assistant

Start Date: Thursday January 7, 2027

Reports To: Program Manager

Key Collaborators: Programming Team

Location: 1225 Barrington Street, Halifax, NS

Employment Type: Part-time, unionized position

Hours: Thursdays and Fridays 12pm – 8pm, Saturdays 9am – 5pm

Pay: $25.83 / hour plus benefits

About Laing House: Laing House is a welcoming space in downtown Halifax where youth and young adults with lived mental health experiences can connect with others and find support that fits their journey. Our philosophy, "Come as You Are,” drives our mission to create an inclusive space where members can access the resources they need for their mental health recovery while benefiting from a strong supportive peer community. We offer drop-in hours along with scheduled programs aligned with four “buckets”; Healthy Living, Creative Arts, Community Navigation, and Education and Employment. Our monthly program calendar, and more information about Laing House, can be found at lainghouse.org.

Position Overview: Reporting to our Program Managers, the Program Assistant will work alongside our Community Support Workers to enact Laing House programming and activities and create a warm, supportive and safe environment where members feel welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Key Responsibilities:

Programming

- Work with the program team to plan, promote, and facilitate programs.
- Support program logistics which can range from setting up spaces and organizing materials to managing supplies and assisting facilitators.
- Share leadership of Laing House’s regular food programming including a group supper on Fridays and Saturday brunch.
- Support external program facilitators with set up and programming as required.
- Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with members by providing ongoing encouragement and participation support.

General House Duties

- Help maintain a welcoming, clean, and safe environment throughout all drop-in hours.




- Be present and be an active support to members during drop-in times.
- Assist in the opening and closing of the house, following all operational procedures to ensure the space is secure and ready for use.
- Perform day-to-day house operations, including general cleaning, food preparation, assisting with programming as needed, facilitating

Scope of Practice: This is a non-clinical role. The Program Assistant provides social and program support only. If a member requires clinical or emergency assistance, staff will connect them with the appropriate professional or service.

Education & Experience:

- Experience or studies in Recreation Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Services, or a related field is an asset. Current students are welcome to apply.
- Experience facilitating or assisting with programs or activities.
- Experience supporting or working alongside youth and young adults with lived mental health experience is a strong asset.

Skills & Attributes:

- Friendly, collaborative, and adaptable team player.
- Comfortable maintaining professional boundaries and debriefing with the program team.
- Committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space that aligns with Laing House’s mission and values.

Other Requirements:

- Satisfactory criminal record check, including vulnerable sector and child abuse registry checks.
- Standard First Aid & CPR certification (or commitment to obtain within four months of employment, paid by the employer).

Working Conditions & What We Offer:

- This role is based at Laing House in the heart of downtown Halifax.



Our building is a heritage house with four flights of stairs.
- We care deeply about staff well-being and are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical and dental coverage, RRSP matching, generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, and more.

How to apply:

Please send one document that includes both your cover letter and resume to [email protected]. We’d love to hear your story—tell us how your experiences, strengths, and values align with our mission in a thoughtful, personalized cover letter.

Laing House is committed to building an equitable and diverse team that reflects the communities we serve and embodies our “Come as You Are” philosophy. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges. We also welcome and encourage candidates from equity-deserving groups to self-identify in their applications—including Mi’kmaq, African Nova Scotian, Black, Indigenous/First Nations, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and people with disabilities—who share our values and commitment to creating a secure, inclusive, and empowering space.

We thank everyone who takes the time to apply, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If you're invited to an interview and require accommodations please let us know. We share questions with candidates 24 hours before an interview.

We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in, so if this role feels like a good fit, we encourage you to apply soon! The position will remain open until filled.

If you have any questions about the opportunity, please reach out to our Program Managers at [email protected].

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $25.83 per hour

Benefits:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- RRSP match

Work Location: In person

📌 Program Assistant (Halifax Regional Municipality)
🏢 Laing House
📍 Halifax Regional Municipality