Program Director / Youth Navigator

Be the spark that ignites the potential in people! The YMCA of Cape Breton is looking for a dynamic self-starter to join our team as Program Director/Youth Navigator – leading the EDGE Program. The program was the first of its kind in Nova Scotia and is designed to support youth in achieving financial independence more quickly and reduced reliance on Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA).

The YMCA Experience

The YMCA of Cape Breton is one of the largest charities in Nova Scotia and a member of one of the most recognized organizations in the world. Our mission is to connect and ignite the potential in people, helping them grow and give back to our communities. Through building connections with people at all ages and stages of their lives – as well as the broader community – the YMCA of Cape Breton serves over 35 000 people annually.

Programs and services focus on empowering people of all ages and life stages to overcome barriers and rise to their full potential. These include health, fitness and aquatics; licensed childcare; employment programs (Nova Scotia Works); youth programming and related community services. The YMCA occupies 14 program sites across Cape Breton Island.

The YMCA of Cape Breton offers a great workplace culture achieved through an environment that embraces diversity and social inclusion, values difference, celebrates achievements and supports full participation by all employees. We believe that everyone belongs! The YCB provides 200+ employees with meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of those within our communities.

The Opportunity

Position Summary

The EDGE Project is an early intervention program that provides targeted employment focused programming for Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) youth, Child, Youth and Family Supports (CYFS) youth, and youth-at-risk between the ages of 18 and 26, who are assessed as job ready.

Program Director

As a site serving Sydney and surrounding area, the YMCA of Cape Breton is seeking a Program Director to manage the operations of the EDGE centre, including financial management and staff supervision.

They will also lead the overall development, implementation and evaluation of the program, duties include the following:

• Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the delivery of the EDGE Program.
• Manage the operations and activities of the EDGE – Sydney Centre.
• Establish administrative procedures to meet objectives of the program guidelines and /or senior management.
• Direct and advise staff delivering services and programs to the client and to the organization or funding entity.
• Plan, administer and control budgets for programs, equipment and support services.
• Represent the EDGE – Sydney centre, for the purpose of government liaison and media relations, and.
• Hire, training and supervise staff, as required.

Youth Navigator

The successful candidate will also act as Youth Navigator, the main point of contact for youth ages 18-26 who are referred to the Early Intervention Youth Program. The Youth Navigator will meet with each youth to review the menu of services, complete the individualized needs assessments, and identify areas of strengths and challenges. They will work with each youth to develop employment, life management and social goals and assist them in navigating the inhouse and community resources to help them work towards their goals, duties include the following:

• Review client background information, interview clients to obtain case history and prepare intake reports.
• Assess clients’ relevant strengths and needs.
• Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance.
• Refer clients to other social services or assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, transportation, day care and other services.
• Facilitate the referral of clients – fostering a welcoming youth-centric environment.
• Implement soft skills, job search and job maintenance workshops – others as required.
• Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems.
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of early intervention program by tracking clients’ behavioural changes and responses to activities.
• Work with EDGE staff and community organizations to provide crisis intervention, access emergency shelter services and other resources, as necessary.
• Implement and organize the delivery of engaging, youth-centred activities within the community.
• Maintain contact with other social service agencies involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients’ overall progress, within the boundaries of information and privacy protocols, and.
• Maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research and complete all reporting, as per funding agreement.

Qualifications

The successful incumbent may possess a suitable combination of the following qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline is preferred.
• Previous work experience in a social service environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity considered an asset.
• Demonstrated leadership, project management and supervisory experience – preferably within the context of employment and/or youth services.
• Strong Microsoft Office Skills – experience working with cloud computing considered an asset.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and tasks.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills are essential to establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships and community partnerships.
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgement in the handling of confidential information; this includes a high degree of integrity and trust.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail in the resolution of issues, process improvement and evaluation.
• High level of initiative is needed to work independently and respond to unanticipated items.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, and.

Above all, the successful candidate must clearly demonstrate a commitment to our shared values: Caring, Honesty, Inclusiveness, Respect and Responsibility.

Note: Successful candidates will be required to provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Record Check/ Vulnerable Sector Check and Child Abuse Registry Check. They will also be required to attend YMCA Child Protection Training, as well as successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

We Offer

• Participation in Comprehensive Group Benefits and Pension Program
• Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Individual & Family YMCA Membership
• Strong Work Life Balance Programs (i.e. 15 Vacation Days and 11 Wellness Day annually)
• Discounted Childcare and Camp Rates

The YMCA of Cape Breton is an equal opportunity employer that values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our Association. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.