Careers at Stepping Stone
Program Supervisor
Organization Overview:
Stepping Stone is a community-based agency that believes in the Housing First philosophies and practices. We strive to improve the quality of life for people who are struggling with chronic homelessness, significant mental health issues and substance misuse. We offer this by providing supportive, affordable housing to our participants with individualized, participant-driven support plans. The Stepping Stone team collaborates with community services within Guelph-Wellington to help support these plans and to offer our participants wrap-around supports as needed.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Program Manager, the Program Supervisor will possess and utilize their passion for community-based program operations, development and evaluation. They will provide leadership for the program and team by providing support and oversight to the shelter team to ensure they achieve program outcomes as well as coordinate the daily operations of the program. This position works closely with the management team to ensure strategic leadership and support for the population we serve.
Within the Program Supervisor position you would also work directly with your team to support adults that are at a risk of homelessness to determine if there is an appropriate intervention to stabilize their current housing situation.
Specific Knowledge/Skills:
- Knowledge of and experience serving in the area of housing and homelessness with a passion to support those experiencing low income and/or poverty and enthusiasm for preventing and reducing the related effects
- Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and all marginalized populations
- Very strong leadership, team building and decision-making skills required including demonstrated strength in coaching and developing people and teams
- Ability to support the team to work with individuals presenting with concurrent disorder challenges, mental and physical health complexities, withdrawal symptoms, and substance use challenges
- Strong desire to support people experiencing homelessness and enthusiasm for assisting them to improve their circumstances
- Experience with coaching and mentoring for personal growth and development, including the ability to coach others through conflict
- Commitment to work with and support training new employees as required
- Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment
- Knowledge of local community agencies and resources is an asset
- Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry
- Experience working within a non-profit and/or social services environment may be an asset
- Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and training
- Highly organized, with ability to develop, implement and streamline administrative processes.
- Experience navigating team discussion and disagreement in high crisis situation with confidence and able to make decision with confidence when there are disagreement on best next steps; while balancing a trauma informed lens with the safety of the program
Education/Experience:
- Post Secondary degree in the social services field is considered an asset
- At least 3 years of experience in a supervisory role required, ideally within a team environment
- Demonstrated experience in team leadership and motivation, with the ability to guide, coach, and inspire employees to meet and exceed performance goals
- Proven experience in cross-functional communication, collaborating effectively with management, HR, and other departments
- Experience in professional documentation, including preparing accurate reports, schedules, and incident records
- Demonstrated innovative approach to providing supports and programming in a residential setting or services for persons experiencing homelessness is required
- Experience working with people who have a history of: trauma, mental health, addiction, poor health, poverty and/or homelessness is preferred
Critical Skills:
Staff Supervision
- Supervise, support, and evaluate assigned staff
- Provide onboarding, training, and ongoing coaching
- Assign work, monitor performance, and address concerns promptly
- Enforce workplace policies and procedures consistently
- Participate in hiring, scheduling, and disciplinary processes as needed
Operations Oversight
- Ensure daily operations run smoothly and safely
- Monitor service delivery to ensure compliance with policies, contracts, and regulations
- Respond to incidents, emergencies, and conflict situations
- Complete incident reports and required documentation
- Ensure proper use of facilities, supplies, and equipment
- Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of Stepping Stone is expected
- Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required
- Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community member
- Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a positive work environment including the ability to navigate change in a positive and productive manner
- Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs
- Strong intercultural competency, with the ability to recognize and respect cultural diversity, able to be diplomatic and sensitive to the dynamics of a culturally diverse workplace
- Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach in consultation, program design, evaluation processes and service delivery
- Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude
- Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental health and other life challenges
- Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics and planning and detailed record keeping
- Able to model effective problem solving by recognizing the human, interpersonal and technical sides of a problem, show flexibility and explore possible solutions in an innovative and creative way
- Act as a change agent; contributing to continuous improvement and the successful implementation of change initiatives
Overview of Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead, develop and support the staff working within assigned programs, including coaching and development, team dynamics, conflict management etc.
- Responsible for all aspects of leading a including recruitment, retention, training and onboarding, supervision and performance assessment, development and management
- Supervisory responsibilities for health and safety within each program; ensuring a physically and psychologically healthy work environment for all team members
- Responsible for scheduling and the allocation of staff based on the needs of each program and/or site
- Maintain communication with staff team, perform regular check-ins and reviews, and supporting staff professional development
- Responsible for, with guidance from the Management Team, program design and delivery ensuring timely and appropriate community-based programming to meet the needs of those in the community experiencing housing loss and the social impacts of homelessness (i.e low income, food insecurity, etc.)
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the assigned programs including day to day operations, coordination of data collection, database management (i.e. HIFIS) staff and participant safety, time sheets, and other applicable administrative duties
- Work with program manager and other management to evaluate programs and overall approach for addiction treatment and housing outcomes
- Includes collecting and providing feedback about program development, service changes, creation of new services based on participant and staff identified need
- Support the manager with creating reports and proposals to support or source funding by sharing program insights and coordinating program data collection
- Provide timely and appropriate housing and sheltering programming to meet the needs of those in
our community who are experiencing homelessness - Intentional performance development centered on an anti-oppressive, trauma informed approach
in supporting people experiencing homelessness - Complete documentation and data entry in accordance with agency and legislative requirements,
including fulfillment of documentation requests from participants or other professionals - Support staff in assessing complex situations and making appropriate decisions
- Review Assessments/Treatment Plans with team in collaboration with clinical team
- Establish strong rapport and maintain appropriate professional relationships
Working Environment / Schedule:
- Flexibility to work a variety of shifts including evenings and weekends when required
- 35 hour regular work week
- This is an on-site position
- On-call rotation to support 24/7 operation of the program
- Must have the ability to respond on-site in emergencies during on call
- Encountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected
Compensation and Benefits:
- Pay band range is $34.84 – $40.02
- Progressive vacation entitlements
- 7 sick days / year (on an accrual basis)
- $100 / month cell phone reimbursement & $100 / month gas allowance
- Extended Health & Dental benefit package available after (3) months of employment
- Group retirement savings plan available after (1) year of employment
- An environment that supports continuous learning