Department: Programs & Community Services
Affiliation: Non-unionized Position
Reports To: Director of Community & Program Services
Location: Scarborough, ON
Hours: Full-time
Extended Hours: Based on program and operational needs
About the Organization
Tropicana Community Services, a Toronto-based multiservice organization, provides all youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean heritage and others in need with opportunities and alternatives that lead to success and positive life choices. Our mission is achieved through culturally appropriate programs such as counselling, childcare, educational, and employment services and youth development.
Position Overview
The Program Manager, Black Justice Program leads a community-based initiative that supports the reintegration of youth and young adults (ages 12–29) who have been involved with the criminal justice system, incarceration, or high-risk activity. This includes youth connected to gang involvement, auto theft and jewelry theft rings, and other high-risk activity, including activity occurring outside of the Greater Toronto Area. Reporting to the Director of Programs and Community Services, the Program Manager provides operational leadership, clinical and peer supervision, budget oversight, partnership development, and performance measurement to ensure the program delivers safe, culturally responsive, and effective pathways out of justice involvement and into education, employment, and community life.
This requires flexibility to respond to urgent youth safety situations outside of regular business hours, and travel between Tropicana program sites and partner locations, including within GTA Region.
Areas of Responsibility:
Program Leadership & Service Delivery
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Black Justice Program's reintegration model for youth aged 12–29.
- Oversee individualized case planning and service pathways for youth transitioning from custody, court involvement, or high-risk activity back into community, education, and employment.
- Ensure programming is trauma-informed, anti-Black racism-informed, and responsive to the specific risks associated with gang involvement, theft rings, and out-of-town high-risk activity.
- Act as the primary escalation point for high-risk or safety-sensitive youth situations, coordinating with community safety partners as needed.
- Ensure program activities align with Tropicana Community Services' mission, values, and equity-centered approach.
Team Supervision & Staff Development
- Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management to the Social Worker, two Peer Support Workers, and Project Evaluator.
- Facilitate regular individual and team supervision, including case consultation and reflective practice for staff engaging with high-risk youth.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and professional development planning for program staff.
- Foster a healthy, safe, and culturally grounded team environment that supports staff wellbeing given the sensitivity of the work.
Budget Oversight
- Develop, monitor, and manage the Black Justice Program budget, including staffing, programming, and youth support costs.
- Track spending against approved budget lines, prepare variance reports, and recommend reallocations as needed.
- Support funder reporting requirements, including budget justifications and financial narrative for grant submissions and renewals.
Partnership Development
- Build and maintain partnerships with justice system stakeholders, including courts, probation and parole, correctional institutions, police services, and diversion programs.
- Cultivate relationships with schools, employers, mental health and substance use services, and other community organizations to expand reintegration pathways for youth.
- Represent Tropicana Community Services at community tables, coalitions, and inter-agency committees related to youth justice and community safety.
- Identify and pursue new funding and collaboration opportunities, including with municipal, provincial, and community partners.
Performance Measurement & Reporting
- Work with the Project Evaluator to establish, track, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including reintegration outcomes, recidivism reduction, education/employment engagement, and youth satisfaction.
- Ensure accurate and timely data collection across the program team to support evaluation, funder reporting, and continuous quality improvement.
- Prepare regular reports and presentations for the Director, funders, and community stakeholders on program performance and outcomes.
Skills & Qualifications
- Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Work, Criminology, Community Development, or a related field, or equivalent lived and professional experience.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in youth justice, community reintegration, gang exit, or violence prevention programming, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
- Demonstrated understanding of the justice system, diversion and reintegration processes, and the dynamics of gang involvement, organized theft activity, and high-risk youth behavior.
- Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams, including social work, peer support, and evaluation staff.
- Proven ability to manage program budgets and prepare funder reports and budget justifications.
- Strong existing or developable relationships with justice, policing, and community safety stakeholders.
- Demonstrated commitment to anti-Black racism, anti-oppression, and culturally responsive practice, with lived experience or deep community connection to Black communities considered a strong asset.
- Excellent crisis response, conflict de-escalation, and risk management skills.
- Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle considered an asset, given travel across program sites and GTA Region.
- Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Reference Check required.
What We Offer
- Group Benefits Plan with Extended Healthcare and Dental Benefits
- Career growth and development opportunities
- A chance to play an active role in giving back to your community
- Employee Assistance Program
Although we appreciate each application, only those candidates being considered for the position will be contacted.
Tropicana Community Services commits to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) through its information and support, advocacy, programming, internal policies, and governance structures. Tropicana Community Services will aim to ensure that our staff reflect the experience, skills and diversity of the communities we serve and create an inclusive, barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please contact Human resources. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential
