Program Coordinator, Residential Programs at John Howard Society of Victoria

Job Title: Program Coordinator, Residential Programs

Company: John Howard Society of Victoria

Location: In Person, Victoria, BC

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Work hours: 40 hour per week, Mon - Fri, 9 am to 5 pm

Salary: $34.76 - $38.61 per hour

Benefits: Employee Engagement Activities, Organization Events, Dental care, Disability insurance, Employee assistance program, Extended health care, Life insurance, Paid time off, RRSP match

Who We Are:

John Howard Society of Victoria is a fast paced growing, dynamic and innovative social service organization that strives to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Our goal is to help individuals achieve greater independence by providing support with housing, life-skills, education, employment, and community-based services.

At John Howard Society of Victoria we come from various backgrounds and share a common goal of wanting to make things better in our community, for our community. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that adapts to your needs.

Our Vision, Mission, Goals, and Values:

• Our Vision: A safe, healthy, and inclusive community for all
• Our Mission: We contribute to a safer, stronger and more sustainable communities by supporting people to achieve greater independence
• Our Goals:
• Service Excellence: Improve the quality of life of the people we service through more relevant, accessible and sustainable services.
• Organizational Sustainability: Realize a resilient operational and governance model that supports JHSV to consistently serve the end-to-end client journey.
• Capacity: Increase our capacity to work effectively and efficiently as a team.
• Our Values:
• Our Service Commitments (How we provide services to clients) – Dignity, Advocacy, Empowerment
• Team Values (How we work together) – Collaboration, Accountability, Resiliency
  

What We Offer:

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy paid vacation, sick and personal time, health and dental plans, long-term disability, critical illness and RRSP
• Supportive Environment: Our Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities are designed to help you succeed both personally and professionally. We invest in our employees' growth through training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.
• Engaging Culture: Be part of a friendly team that values your input! With numerous employee engagements, you can make your voice heard and contribute to meaningful change for our clients and our community.
• Employee Engagement: We often organize team and social gatherings to strengthen relationships and foster camaraderie to create a supportive network among colleagues.
• Impactful Work: Employees at JHS Victoria are driven by a shared mission to make a positive difference in the community. Engaging in meaningful work enhances job satisfaction and connects team members to a greater purpose.
  
  

About the Program:

The Community Residential Facilities consists of 4 properties that support individuals being supervised on conditional release from an institution or a forensic psychiatric hospital. The program operates 24/7 with support staff and is guided by services being accessible and client-focused. We work from a client- centered, strengths-based perspective and use a relationship-building approach. We believe that people are experts on their own lives, and promoting positive change enables them to grow in the way they envision.

Position Summary:

The Position reports to Manager, Residential Programs

Program Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting the planning and coordination of programs within the John Howard Society of Victoria. The role is responsible for maintaining record-keeping systems for federal and forensic residents, communicating updates to staff, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. The Coordinator develops and implements program plans to encourage resident participation, prepares funding applications, and creates communication materials to enhance understanding of programs. Additionally, the role involves conducting assessments, providing supportive counseling, and advocating for residents. The Coordinator is expected to follow policies and procedures as provided. The position requires the staff member to function independently and yet remain aware that they are part of a staff team, performing in a therapeutic community. This is an in-person role with no opportunity to work-from home.

What You'll Be Doing:

Program Coordination (30%)

• Support planning and coordination of a program and its activities.
• Communicate to employees any issues with residents and any changes to procedures or programs.
• Maintain record keeping systems connected to federal and forensic residents and any future residents as part of the Society’s Roadmap.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining a program plan suitable to the proposed client and encourage the client's interest and participation.
• Support growth and program development.
• Strategize and implements organizational and program policies, procedures and practices.
• Schedule and organize meetings/events and maintain agenda and minutes.
• Ensure technology and software is used correctly for all operations (CAMS, OMS, SharePoint)
• Assist in funding applications for RFP’s and grants.
• Create presentations, summaries and program materials to enhance communication and understanding of the program.
• Stay informed about operational memos and new developments in Residential Programs.
• Complete and submit monthly program invoices to funders.
• Follow safety line procedures for check-ins and conduct / log monthly emergency drills. Maintain a working knowledge of all emergency procedures
• Attend monthly staff meetings, weekly case conferences, and in-house meetings and act as a member of the counselling support team, exchanging information related to residents’ concerns or direct the resident to appropriate resources.
• Oversee the general upkeep and annual licensing of the house vehicle..
• Responsible for primary shift coverage and provide backup services for staff working the main office
• Advise the Manager of Residential Programs of concerns and infractions of House rules, curfews, or policies by resident.
  
  

Client Support (25%)

• Assist with the development of resident action plans with residents and document as required
• Provide supportive counseling and supervision to residents in the areas of crisis intervention, teaching, motivation, and basic life skills
• Conduct assessments for the resident’s community living needs on an ongoing basis
• Advocate for residents, when required, to ensure they receive adequate care, treatment, services, and information from the community
• Inform residents of policy and procedures relating to curfew enforcement, drug and alcohol restrictions, and general house duties and supervise compliance
• Provide outreach support and supervision to individuals living independently in the community and provide transportation for outreach clients to various meetings, activities, and personal errands
  
  

Reporting (25%)

• Act as a key stakeholder for all audits, leading and facilitating associated processes
• Write, review, and format documents (policies, proposals, reports, etc.)
• Coordinate inputs for monthly, quarterly and annual reports as per contracts and organization requirements.
• Responsible for ensuring contractual reporting requirements
• Responsible to generate weekly inventory lists (program supplies, groceries, first aid supplies, office supplies etc.)
• Provide support to the Manager, Residential Programs for reporting, program outcome and program deliverables
  
  

Community Engagement (20%)

• Liaise on an ongoing basis with familiar referral sources to contact and explain the nature of the programs to potential sources of referral
  
  

What We’re Looking For:

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree and/or professional designation, with a minimum of 2 years of applicable or relevant transferable past work experience
• Experience working with Corrections and Forensic populations, including those with mental health, addictions, and developmental disabilities.
• Proficient in verbal and written English at a professional level.
• High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, SharePoint).
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Criminal Record Check and Correctional Service of Canada Enhanced Security Check.
• Emergency First Aid certification is an asset.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information effectively and possess strong integrity.
  
  

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills to assist multiple employees at one time with various tasks.
• Seasoned communicator with the ability to work with various types of personalities within an office setting.
• Outstanding attention to detail to submit work and or send communications without error.
• Adaptability and flexibility to adjust priorities for whatever task is most important at any given time.
• Proven team leadership and teambuilding skills.
• The skills to intervene effectively in crises and Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to understand the dynamics of offender’s behavior and assess their needs and risks.
• Correctional Services of Canada Enhanced Security Clearance.
• Dispute resolution and problem-solving skills.
  
  

Who You Are:

• Empathetic and Compassionate: You genuinely understand and care about the experiences and challenges of residents, fostering trust and rapport in a therapeutic community setting.
• Strong Communicator: You convey information clearly and professionally, actively listening to residents, colleagues, and external partners to ensure mutual understanding.
• Resilient and Adaptable: You maintain composure in high-pressure situations and adjust priorities seamlessly to meet the dynamic needs of residents and programs.
• Creative Problem-Solver: You approach challenges with resourcefulness, finding effective solutions that support residents’ growth and program success.
• Collaborative Team Player: You thrive in a team environment, working closely with staff, residents, and community agencies to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
• Integrity-Driven: You uphold ethical standards, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and decision-making.
• Culturally Competent: You respect diverse backgrounds and perspectives, tailoring your approach to meet the unique needs of every resident.
• Proactive and Motivated: You take initiative in program coordination, reporting, and client support, demonstrating commitment to positive outcomes.
• Patient and Tactful: You handle difficult situations with calmness and diplomacy, ensuring constructive and respectful interactions even in challenging circumstances.
• Detail-Oriented: You ensure accurate documentation, compliance with protocols, and meticulous attention to program requirements and safety standards.
• Organized and Tech-Savvy: You manage multiple tasks efficiently and leverage technology (MS Office Suite, CAMS, OMS, SharePoint) to keep operations running smoothly.
• Knowledgeable and Resourceful: You understand offender behavior, community resources, and safety protocols, applying this knowledge to support residents effectively.
  
  

Creating Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Communities at JHS Victoria:

At John Howard Society of Victoria, we proudly embrace the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and we’re excited to invite applicants from all backgrounds to join our team! We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and we are committed to providing the support needed to ensure equal opportunities for success throughout the hiring process. John Howard Society of Victoria will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation. We’re here to help!

Ready to Make a Positive Impact?

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in people’s lives and meet the qualifications for this role, we’d love to hear from you!

Please submit your application through our portal. Submission deadline is November 26, 2025 and we’ll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. So don’t wait—apply today and take the next step in your journey with us!