Program Director, BladeRunners

Department
Employment Training & Life Skills

Reports to
Chief Administrative Officer

Location
Onsite in Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter

We’re building bridges for Nanaimo’s youth into the local labour market. NYSA is hiring a Program Director to lead that work through Blade Runners.

What is Blade Runners?
Blade Runners is BC’s longest-running youth employment program, supporting youth ages 16-30 who are ready to work but face real barriers. It brings together job coaching, certifications, paid training, and direct connections to local employers. NYSA has been home to Blade Runners in Nanaimo since 1996.

About the Role
This is a hands-on role focused on helping youth prepare for, train for, and move into work.

Day-to-day, you’ll:

Coach participants :
Work one-on-one and in groups to assess readiness, identify strengths, set realistic goals, and develop action plans that move youth toward employment

Facilitate workshops :
Deliver sessions on resumes, interviews, job search strategies, and workplace expectations

Build employer relationships :
Make cold calls, pitch placements, identify job leads, and organize ‘Trade Talks’ where participants meet local hiring managers face-to‑face

Manage program operations :
Track participant progress, maintain case files, coordinate with community partners, and meet provincial reporting requirements

Stay connected to Nanaimo’s labour market :
Monitor local hiring trends, maintain referral networks, and guide participants toward real opportunities

What You Bring
We’re looking for someone who can work effectively with youth, build relationships with employers, and manage the moving parts of a busy program.

You’ll need

2–4 years of direct experience working with youth or young adults in coaching, education, employment support, or community programming

Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and deliver workshops

A connector mindset — you are comfortable initiating conversations with local employers, making cold calls, and building meaningful partnerships

Strong organizational skills and proficiency in Microsoft 365 and database management

Ability to stay grounded when supporting youth facing complex personal, financial, or housing challenges while maintaining professional boundaries

Cultural competency and respectful, non‑judgmental approach when working with people from diverse backgrounds

Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive client information with discretion

Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check

Bonus if you have

Specialized experience in employment counselling or career development

Experience in case management

An existing understanding of Nanaimo’s current labour market and local employment landscape

Knowledge of local employment programs, social services, and community resources

This role could be a good fit for you if you

build trust easily and communicate clearly, whether one-on‑one or in group settings

handle sensitive information with care and maintain confidentiality

stay calm, professional, and solution‑focused in difficult or conflict situations

are organized, reliable, and able to manage time and competing priorities

work well independently while contributing positively to a small, collaborative team

bring a non‑judgmental, respectful approach and value cultural and lived experience differences

Education
Post‑secondary education in social sciences, counselling, career development, or education is valued, but we know that great coaches come from many backgrounds. Equivalent hands‑on experience with youth employment programming will be highly considered.

Compensation & Benefits
This is a full‑time position (37.5 hours per week) that includes:

Monday to Friday, daytime schedule (typically 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Paid vacation

Paid sick days

Extended health benefits, including medical, dental, optometry, mental health supports, massage, and chiropractic care

RRSP matching

Mileage reimbursement for work‑related use of a personal vehicle

Free onsite parking

Snow days (when local schools close)

This position offers an annual salary range of $42,900–$46,800 CAD.

How to Apply

Send your resume and a brief note about why this role interests you to

Cover letters are optional – we’re…