Reporting to the Executive Director and as a member of the leadership team, the Director of Child and Youth Programs is accountable for the overall management of the CVCDA child and youth programs offered by the Comox Valley Child Development Association.
As the Director, you will manage a large team and a diverse array of services, with a mandate to ensure integrated, collaborative, high-quality, CARF Accredited services.
Our ideal candidate is a collaborative and reflective leader with a strong clinical background and considerable experience in organizational management. This position requires and an understanding of current “best
practice” in the child development services field, culturally sensitive and trauma sensitive practice, infant/child mental health, and a passion for promoting inclusion and family-centred practice.
The Director will serve as a liaison between service delivery operations and the overall strategy of the organization, ensuring alignment and consistency with current and future direction of the organization.
We seek an organized and efficient team member with demonstrated people-centred leadership qualities who is excited to grow with this organization. Working in the Comox Valley catchment area, you will be a member of a
well-developed team and contribute to the established goals of the program and the larger agency. Adaptability and curiosity are valued traits in CVCDA team members as we work together to meet the needs of children and
families in our community. Together, our goals are to help children thrive within their family and community.
This position reports to the Executive Director. This position is an Excluded Position.
In consultation with the Executive Director, the activities of the Director of Programs are not exclusive of but include:
LEADERSHIP
- Building a positive professional environment and working with staff teams to form a vision, execute and evaluate successful programs, and actively engage in group-oriented problem solving.
- Assisting the Executive Director and Program Leads with public presentations and agency representation in varied and complex settings involving partners, community groups, and funders.
- Working with the CARF Committee in continued success in achieving accreditation standards.
- Participating in contract management and adhering to contract reporting standards.
- Representing programs and service delivery at Board of Directors meetings, as requested by the Executive Director.
- Contributing to positive, ongoing relationships with community partners and interagency collaborators.
7. Fulfilling the role of Acting Executive Director during periods of absence of the Executive Director.
SUPERVISORY
- Providing supervision to Child and Youth Program Leads.
- Working within the parameters of the Health Services Association (HSA) Collective Agreement, working with the agency stewards to ensure agency adherence to the Collective Agreement.
- Working with the ED and Finance team to develop and monitor program budgets.
- Identifying staffing needs for programs. Lead recruitment, interviewing and hiring in partnership with program leads for all child and youth program staff.
- Overseeing/performing yearly program staff evaluations, including goal setting, monitoring performance and corrective measures.
ADMINISTRATION
- Working with programs to maintain successful accreditation standards (CARF).
- Ensuring adherence to funding contracts for all child and youth programs.
- Assisting with identifying and writing grants for additional funding.
- Ensuring consistent documentation is maintained within the electronic file system.
- Onboarding/orientation of new staff to the CVCDA, ensuring their successful integration into the agency.
- Working in collaboration with the Quality Program committee and the ED to update and create policies, procedures, program documents and agency handbooks
COMMUNITY and AGENCY ACTIVITIES
- Representing the CVCDA as required.
- Offering staff training opportunities
- Coordinating community requests for presentations & student placements.
- Participating in relevant committees aimed at improving program or agency processes.
- Developing and maintaining family-centred partnerships with other individuals/agencies involved in
providing early intervention services to shared clients. - Gathering data and communicating with clients and other stakeholders to solicit input to improve programs.
- Participating in agency community engagement activities such as the annual Telethon fundraiser and other community awareness/engagement opportunities.
Position
- Position: Director of Child and Youth Programs
- Program: Management/Administration
- Posting Date: February 13, 2026
- Posting Expiry Date: Open until position is filled
- Location: Child Development Association
- Status: 37.5 hours/week; 1.0FTE
- Position Start Date: ASAP
Wage
- Salary Range: Starting at $90,000 + Annually
Commensurate with Education and Experience)
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (Masters Preferred) in a relevant field of human services, such as Early Intervention Therapy, Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Nursing, Psychology.
- 10 years of experience in the field of human services.
- 3 years of recent supervisory or managerial experience in a family-based, multidisciplinary setting, multi-programming setting.
- Extensive knowledge and an understanding of community-based services for persons with diverse abilities, evidence-based practices, current trends in funding and service provision, and emerging
ideas and thinking regarding service innovation and community inclusion. - Knowledge and proven success in program development and program evaluation.
- Understanding of budgeting and finance, and a history of fiscal management.
- Understand change management with experience in implementing program changes/restructuring.
- Understanding of collective agreements and the implications of supervising staff in a workplace with multiple collective agreements.
- Strong leadership skills and relationship management skills.
- Excellent networking skills, both internal and external.
Skills and Abilities
- An appreciation for, or working experience, in a non-profit setting is essential.
- Must be able to work in a consultative model/trans disciplinary model of intervention and a family-centred service delivery model.
- Demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of the job.
- Report-writing competence and verbal communication skills that are empathetic and articulate.
- Computer skills for recording and documenting.
- Establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients and agency team members as a whole.
- Flexibility to meet constantly changing demands of the workplace.
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
- Must be willing to travel when necessary.
- A vehicle that meets ICBC annual inspection standards, and a valid Driver’s License.
- A criminal record check will be required.
Benefits
Offering an environment where team members can thrive and progress in their careers is a part of the culture of the CVCDA. We strive to be a progressive non-profit employer, incorporating best practices and training relevant to each employee’s position.
This position provides a full health and pension benefit package. In addition, you will have future opportunities for furthering your skills and education.
Apply today!
In recruiting our team, we are committed to fostering and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion and connectedness both within our agency and our community. We value the unique contributions that each of our team members brings through their experiences, education, disability, culture, ethnicity, race, nation of origin, gender identity and expression, age, languages spoken, religion, and beliefs.
We look forward to your application for the position and the possibility of having you join our CVCDA family!
Notice: Employees of the CVCDA are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID19 and will be required to obtain boosters as necessary and set out by agency policy.
All applications will be held in confidence, given serious consideration, and acknowledged via an email receipt.
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter following these instructions:
- A resume that summarizes your relevant professional, academic and volunteer experiences.
- A cover letter that shares your professional interests and passions, and why this opportunity is of particular interest and a potential good fit for you
Email your resume and references in PDF format (cover letter and resume combined in one document, with your name as the document name, with the job posting # included) to: Cindy Xavier, Executive Director, Comox Valley Child Development Association, cindy@cvcda.ca. Additionally, please copy Michelle Erikson, Administration, at michelle@cvcda.ca.
Please email cindy@cvcda.ca with any questions regarding this opportunity.
About the CVCDA
Established in 1974, the Comox Valley Child Development Association (CVCDA) is honoured to reside on the unceded traditional territories of the Pentlatch, E'iksan and K'ómoks First Nations.
The CVCDA is a dynamic, multi-service not-for-profit agency dedicated to supporting children and families with a wide range of programs for children, youth and young adults with developmental delays and disabilities. Our services have spanned across 50 years in the Comox Valley and we have grown to become one the largest CDA’s on Vancouver Island. Learn more about the CVCDA.
We are seeking a candidate who will display a strong desire to be a part of the larger community contributing to the health and well-being of the families and children of the Comox Valley with an understanding of the unique intricacies of a charitable non-profit organization.
This is a tremendous opportunity for someone who aspires to make a difference and share your skills to help us maximize and strengthen the capacity of our well-respected organization. You will thrive on a challenge, and enjoy being in our hub of activity with people who love what they do!
About the Comox Valley
The Comox Valley is centrally located for any number of outdoor pursuits on the ocean, extensive trail networks and year-round activities at Mount Washington. The region offers a wide range of vineyards and local farms, a rich music, arts, sports and cultural calendar and annual festivals that attract people from around the globe.
Comox has a new state-of-the-art hospital, schools at all levels, as well as a North Island College campus, an aqua centre, ice arena and various rec facilities.
The Comox Valley continues to attract a diverse population to its big city facilities, yet maintains the small-town vibe for those who seek it. The busier southern tip of the Island or the more remote wilderness of the northern tip are both within a 3-hour drive, as are the waves of the west coast and access to the various Gulf Islands up and down the Salish Sea.