“Despite great challenges we believe unhealthy cycles can be broken, new opportunities created and, through healing, health restored.”

The Director of Youth and Family Programs will provide leadership and oversight to the Ubuntu and Youth Community Support Program (YCSP). This role is responsible for the overall leadership, delivery, compliance, financial stewardship, cultural leadership, and strategic direction of both programs. This role works closely with Government of Alberta Children and Family Services, Recovery Alberta, First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, the C5, YAC and other community partners to ensure service outcomes are achieved in an efficient, collaborative, and culturally responsive manner. The Director ensures the needs of at-risk children, youth, and families are identified and addressed through innovative programming, effective partnerships, and sustainable resource development.

The Youth Community Support Program (YCSP) is a community-based mental health program supporting youth and families experiencing significant mental health challenges, including youth at risk of suicide, ideation, and repeated hospital involvement. YCSP operates in partnership with Recovery Alberta and community stakeholders to provide collaborative, wraparound supports for youth and families.

Ubuntu is a family-centered intervention program supporting children, youth, and families involved with Children and Family Services. In partnership with Children’s Services, Ubuntu provides culturally responsive, community-based supports focused on family preservation, reunification, and long-term stability.

The Director will provide strong cultural and ceremonial leadership aligned with the organizational strategic priorities of miyo pimâtisiwin (the good life) and sîtôskam iyiniwatisiwin (Supporting an Indigenous Way of Being). Accountability to cultural leadership is paramount to the role.

The Director oversees family-centered and youth-focused programming specific to rebuilding connection to culture and identity, and family safety and stability. Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) is a values-driven organization that believes our clients are the experts in their own lives. Your role will be to foster innovation and collaborative leadership with your teams alongside those we serve.

“We stand with our clients, side by side, patiently and for as long as they want – a constant and consistent caring force”

Position Responsibilities

• Culture and Ceremonial Leadership: Provide cultural and ceremonial leadership grounded in traditional Indigenous teachings and practices relevant to this territory. - Maintain and strengthen relationships with Elders, First Nations, Métis Settlements, Inuit communities, and Indigenous leadership. Support organizational policy, practice, and service delivery through an Indigenous worldview and culturally grounded approach. Model and guide culturally safe practices across teams and programs. Knowledge and experience with nehiyaw, Nakota Sioux, and Dene language and kinship systems is considered an asset.
• Program Development and Implementation: Lead the development and implementation of the Ubuntu and YCSP programs, working collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure alignment with the program's mission and objectives. Oversee the delivery of outcome and evaluation frameworks, ensuring utmost accountability for all staff and leadership.
• Strategic Planning and Collaboration: Develop strategic plans and objectives for the Ubuntu and YCSP programs in collaboration with the C5, key partners, Children’s Services, Recovery Alberta, First Nations, Metis and Inuit Nations and leadership, Youth Agency Collaborative (YAC), and community members. Foster strong relationships and partnerships internally with Boyle Street Community Services and partnering organizations to maximize resources and support for families in need.
• Family-Centered Care and Youth-Centred Support: Ensure that the Ubuntu and YCSP program delivers culturally competent, family-centered care to families referred through Child and Family Services and Recovery Alberta. Work closely with families to assess their needs, preferences, and strengths, and develop customized intervention plans to support reunification and address crisis situations.
• Staff Leadership and Management: Provide leadership and direction to the Ubuntu and YCSP program staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, compassion, and excellence. Support staff development and training initiatives to enhance their skills and capabilities in delivering effective family intervention services. Note: The Director is responsible for ensuring staff participate and lead the way with responsiveness to the opioid poisoning epidemic and extreme weather responses.
• Quality Assurance and Evaluation: Implement quality assurance processes and evaluation mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness and impact of the Ubuntu and YCSP programs. Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data for program outcomes, client satisfaction, and service utilization to inform continuous improvement efforts and ensure accountability. Ensure compliance with all CAC Accreditation guidelines and policies to ensure four-year goal standards are met.
• Resource Management and Budget Oversight: Manage program resources and budget allocations effectively, ensuring alignment with program priorities and funding requirements. Develop and implement strategies to maximize funding opportunities and secure additional resources to support program expansion and sustainability.
• Advocacy and Policy Development: Advocate for policies and practices that support the needs of families facing crisis situations, including domestic abuse, poverty, homelessness, and mental health concerns. Collaborate with policymakers, government agencies, and advocacy organizations to influence systemic change and improve access to resources and services for vulnerable families.
• Risk Management and Compliance: Identify and mitigate potential risks and challenges associated with program delivery, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Develop and implement protocols and procedures to safeguard the well-being and rights of families and youth participating in the Ubuntu and YCSP programs.
• Continuous Learning and Innovation: Stay abreast of emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in the field of family and youth intervention services. Encourage a culture of learning and innovation within the Ubuntu and YCSP programs, promoting creativity, adaptability, and resilience in addressing the evolving needs of families in crisis**.**
• All other duties as outlined by the Executive Director team.
• All staff at BSCS are expected to participate in outreach, on-call, and emergency response efforts (e.g., winter response) to support and engage with clients. The director is responsive to a company cell phone 24/7 unless otherwise agreed upon.
• BSCS is more than a workplace. It is a community where everyone helps and contributes to the whole, and there is an expectation that all employees will take part in events (during the work week and during weekends and evenings). This includes fundraising campaigns, running community meals, Ceremony, medicine picking etc.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of in-depth experience participating in traditional Indigenous ceremonies to Treaty 6, alongside trusted Elders and Knowledge Keepers
• Class 5 non-GDL driver’s license, a clear drivers abstract, with a personal vehicle with minimum $2,000,000 liability insurance
• 4 years experience in a management role, experience in senior leadership is preferred
• 4 years experience within the social services sector, experience in a non-profit environment is an asset, especially in collaboration with Children’s Services and/or Recovery Alberta
• Family Group Conferencing/Circle Keeping experience and/or a diploma or degree in the human services field are preferred.
• Valid First Aid certificate or enrolled in a future course
• Police Check with the Vulnerable Sector completed within the past six months and kept up to date (every 3 years)
• Child and Youth Intervention Check completed within the past six months and kept up to date (every 3 years)

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to prepare for and appropriately support Protocols related to traditional ceremonies including sweat lodge, Sundance, round dance, pipe ceremony, smudging, powwow, horse dance, chicken dance, and rites of passage.
• Analytical and Decision Making: Highly responsive, the director acts decisively using accurate judgment and critical thinking – gaining perspectives from affected parties and related partners and team members.
• Communication: Effectively communicates in writing and verbally using available technology where appropriate
• Innovation: Demonstrates creativity by evaluating and implementing ideas that drive continuous improvement and improved outcomes for community members
• Leadership and Accountability: Inspires and motivates others to excel in their roles and leads through change and conflict.
• Organizational and Business Acumen: Possesses a strong understanding of the organization and the sector in which it operates. Acts strategically and fosters strong relationships with others.
• Personal Awareness and Responsibility: Self-aware of abilities, effectiveness and agility. Adaptable to situations as required.
• Social Awareness and Commitment: Is a strong advocate for community members and demonstrates community responsibility while fostering diversity. Possesses a strong understanding of Indigenous history within culture and demonstrates a willingness to incorporate Indigenous cultural values in the workplace.
• Multi-cultural lens and partnerships: demonstrates leadership in connecting newcomers / immigrants to a variety of appropriate resources, especially the Newcomer Centre of the C5.

Why Work for Boyle?

• All work done positively impacts the community and its members!
• Access to Lumino Health, including Stress & Wellness support
• Employee activities and events throughout the year
• Various training initiatives, and development opportunities

Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) is a values-driven organization that believes our clients are the experts in their own life. Your job will be to foster innovation with your team alongside our community members.

Clients, staff, and partners are vital members of the Boyle Street team, so we place emphasis on making sure that we address each other correctly by using preferred pronouns. We invite you to let us know how to properly refer to you and your pronouns as you explore finding a professional home with us.

Boyle Street Community Services aims to foster a work environment that is rich with Indigenous culture, teachings, ceremonies, and activities- as a reflection of the communities we serve and the land we reside upon.

Boyle Street Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. Boyle Street Community Services welcomes applications from First Nations, Métis, & Inuit peoples as well as New Canadian, differently abled, and LGBTQ2S communities.

Contract position ending December 31, 2026, with possibility for extension