Program Leader 

Employment Environment

Working at Between Friends brings so much fun into your professional life! We are an organization that respects the need for a work-life balance! We are passionate about our employees' well being. As an agency, we focus on bringing inclusive and accessible recreation programming to the people who mean the most to us, our members! We work to break down barriers and adapt to individual and communal needs. Between Friends creates opportunities for people with disabilities to connect, grow, and belong through social, recreational, and development activities.

Job Overview

Program Leader – W.E.S.O.A.R! & Adventurers
About the Role

The Program Leader plays a key role in delivering engaging, inclusive, and community-based experiences through our W.E.S.O.A.R! (Weekend, Evening, Social Opportunities, Activities and Recreation) and Adventurers (day trips & overnight trips) programs. This role supports a wide range of recreational, social, and travel opportunities designed to foster connection, independence, and meaningful experiences. During the summer session, Program Leaders primarily support adult participants across W.E.S.O.A.R! and Adventurers programs. Training will be provided for all aspects of the Program Leader role, including mobility assistance and medication administration. 

Program Overview

W.E.S.O.A.R! provides weekend and evening programming within the community, including activities such as movies, swimming, bowling, music, recreation, and more. Programs are offered across multiple areas of the city to support accessibility and participant choice. As a Program Leader, you will facilitate safe, inclusive, and engaging experiences across all programs. Working collaboratively with a team of Program Leaders and volunteers, you will provide high-quality care, supervision, and support to participants, ensuring a positive, meaningful, and memorable experience. Some program locations may vary week‑to‑week, and leaders must be prepared to travel as required by the activity schedule. 
Adventurers offer 1–3 day trips across Alberta, including but not limited to destinations such as Edmonton, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Drumheller, Kananaskis, Banff, and Calgary. Experiences may include festivals, shows, theme parks, outdoor recreation, sporting events, and general sightseeing. Accommodations vary and may include camping, hotels, or short-term rentals. During Adventurers trips, additional Program Leader responsibilities include:

• Coordinating logistics, including transportation, schedules, meals, and activities throughout the trip.
• Supporting participant needs, including personal care, mobility assistance, and medication administration, and communication support.

Program Leader Key Responsibilities 

• Deliver safe, inclusive, and engaging programming for participants
• Support the well-being and supervision of up to 8 participants
• Collaborate with Program Leaders and Volunteers to deliver high-quality experiences
• Adapt activities to meet diverse needs and promote accessibility
• Support participants with personal care, medication administration, and mobility (training provided)
• Respond to and de-escalate challenging situations using appropriate strategies
• Maintain clear, respectful communication with caregivers and team members
• Monitor participant well-being and report concerns appropriately
• Attend all required training sessions and team meetings
• Follow all organizational policies and maintain confidentiality

Schedule & Commitment 

• Contract runs through the end of 2026
• Program Leaders are required to commit to at least one program session (Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall)
• Opportunities to work multiple programs are available for additional hours
• Mandatory training is required prior to each program session
• Program Leader meetings occur 1 time per session
• Additional pre-trip/program meetings may be scheduled as needed
• Additional paid administrative hours may be required depending on program or trip complexity

W.E.S.O.A.R! Programs

• 3–5 hours per week 
• Scheduled Tuesday–Sunday in evenings and afternoons.

Adventurers Trips:

• Day trips: 4–8 hours
• 2 day overnight trips: 25 - 35 hours
• 3 day overnight trips: 35 hours - 45 hours
• Scheduled on weekdays and weekends in Spring/Summer and on weekends in Fall/Winter

Job Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must pass a screening process, including:
• Two personal reference checks
• An Enhanced Canadian Criminal Record Check
• Must provide proof of current Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certification
• Must have a personal cell phone available for use during program hours, as required
• Ability to support participants with: Lifts and transfers, Medication administration, Personal care (Training will be provided)

Assets

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities
• Experience developing and implementing programs
• Experience managing crisis situations within a team setting

Experience:

• disability: 1 year (preferred)

Why You'll Love Working with Us

• Purpose-Driven Work: Make a real difference by helping people with disabilities connect, grow, and belong.
• Great People: Join a supportive, welcoming team that feels more like family than coworkers.
• Fun Environment: Enjoy community events, recreational activities, day trips, and memorable experiences while you work.
• Room to Grow: Build valuable skills through training, mentorship, and hands-on leadership opportunities.
• Flexible & Balanced: Benefit from flexible scheduling and a workplace that values work-life balance.

At Between Friends, we value diversity and recognize that individuals come with a unique set of experiences that can contribute to our mission of providing quality social, recreation, and development opportunities so that people with disabilities can connect, grow, and belong. We believe that adding new ideas and diversity of thought to our teams is essential to our success.

Posting Close Date:This posting will be open until June 30, 2026. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Privacy and Hiring Process:We may use artificial intelligence (AI)–based tools to assist with parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications or resumes. These tools support, but do not replace human judgment, and all final hiring decisions are made by people. Personal information is collected, used, and disclosed in accordance with Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). For more information, please contact us.