Job Description

Job Title: Prison Services and Program Coordinator


Company: John Howard Society of Victoria


Location: In person, 4216 Wilkinson Rd, Victoria, BC V8Z 5B2


Job Type: Part-time, Permanent


Work hours: 30 hour per week, between Mon - Fri, 8 am to 4 pm


Salary: $32.45 - $34.42 per hour


Benefits: Employee Engagement Activities, Organization Events, Dental care, Disability insurance, Employee assistance program, Extended health care, Life insurance, Paid time off, RRSP match

Who We Are:

John Howard Society of Victoria is a fast paced growing, dynamic and innovative social service organization that strives to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Our goal is to help individuals achieve greater independence by providing support with housing, life-skills, education, employment, and community-based services.


At John Howard Society, we come from various backgrounds and share a common goal of wanting to make things better in our community, for our community. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that adapts to your needs.

Our Vision, Mission, Goals, and Values:

Our Vision: A safe, healthy, and inclusive community for all Our Mission: We contribute to a safer, stronger and more sustainable communities by supporting people to achieve greater independence Our Goals:

+ Service Excellence: Improve the quality of life of the people we service through more relevant, accessible and sustainable services.
+ Organizational Sustainability: Realize a resilient operational and governance model that supports JHSV to consistently serve the end-to-end client journey.
+ Capacity: Increase our capacity to work effectively and efficiently as a team.
Our Values:

+ Our Service Commitments (How we provide services to clients) - Dignity, Advocacy, Empowerment
+ Team Values (How we work together) - Collaboration, Accountability, Resiliency

What We Offer:

Competitive Benefits: Enjoy paid vacation, sick and personal time, health and dental plans, long-term disability, critical illness and RRSP Supportive Environment: Our Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities are designed to help you succeed both personally and professionally. We invest in our employees' growth through training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. Engaging Culture: Be part of a friendly team that values your input! With numerous employee engagements, you can make your voice heard and contribute to meaningful change for our clients and our community. Employee Engagement: We often organize team and social gatherings to strengthen relationships and foster camaraderie to create a supportive network among colleagues. Impactful Work: Employees at JHS are driven by a shared mission to make a positive difference in the community. Engaging in meaningful work enhances job satisfaction and connects team members to a greater purpose.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a passionate and independent Prison Services and Program Coordinator to support Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre (VIRCC) programs and initiatives. The position is responsible for providing support services and Life skills program delivery support to residents and leadership at the VIRCC. This is an in-person role with no opportunity to work remotely.

What You'll Be Doing:

Client Support (50%)

Assist and support residents when completing JHSV pre-release assessment package. Provide orientation sessions for new residents. Provide residents with short term counselling and referral to other programs/agencies available within the Centre and in the community after release. Assist residents in securing accommodation before release. Ensure clothing (season appropriate) is available for residents upon release. Provide job search information and assist residents with resumes and job search skills. In consultation with VIRCC program staff, design and deliver monthly basic life skills workshops (Communications Skills for the workplace, Ready to Rent, Tax Preparation and Budgeting skills). Provide residents with various post - release supports. Complete detailed hand-offs to Case worker for clients moving into subsequent phases of programs outside of VIRCC Process Status Card Applications, coordinate documentation and trouble shoot any issues with ISC

Administration, Prison Services and Program Delivery (40%)

Respond to all resident applications for pre-release services. Collaborate with VIRCC programs staff to identify program participants for all JHSV programs offered at VIRCC. Coordinate all training for Basic Construction Awareness (BCAT), Hospitality (HEART), Indigenous Culinary Arts (ICAT) training, and other programs delivered at VIRCC. Establish ongoing relationships with participants (Case Management while a resident at VIRCC). Complete all monthly, quarterly, annual statistical and activity reports for all programs as per funder contract requirements. Maintain all JHSV client case management files on CAMS. Attend meetings with JHSV supervisor as required. Develop and facilitate life skills workshops.

Community Engagement (10%)

Act as a resource to Correctional staff and other contractors as needed. Collaborate with Employment Case Workers to refer residents to potential employers.

Perform other duties and projects as required and not limited to the responsibilities as mentioned.

The assigned percentage of job responsibilities may vary based on organizational and operational priorities.*

What We're Looking For:

Qualifications:

Preferred Diploma in Social Services or an equivalent combination of post-secondary education and relevant experience working with Indigenous clients Experience working with vulnerable populations including those with mental health, addictions, and homelessness Excellent written and oral communication skills, dispute resolution and problem-solving skills Proficient in verbal and written English at a professional level, with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, SharePoint). Criminal Record Check and CRR-Vulnerable Persons and VIRCC Security check. Emergency First Aid certification is an asset. Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information effectively and possess strong integrity.

Skills and Competencies:

Excellent liaison, networking, and advocacy skills. Ability to establish workload priorities, create and review schedule of activities with leadership, adjust to new or unexpected events (dynamic environments), problem solver, and deal effectively with conflict situations. Well-developed listening skills with the ability to empathize and establish rapport with residents. Proven community development/networking skills. Excellent organizational, time management, analytical and administration management skills.

Who You Are:

Empathetic: Possesses a deep understanding of the challenges faced by residents, demonstrating compassion and supporting their emotional and psychological needs. Independent: Capable of working autonomously, taking initiative in coordinating programs and support services without constant oversight. Resilient: Able to handle the demanding environment of correctional facilities, maintaining a positive attitude and resourcefulness in challenging situations. Adaptable: Flexibly adjusts to new priorities and unexpected changes in a dynamic work environment, showing resilience and creativity in problem-solving. Communicative: Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrating clarity and effectiveness in both verbal and written communications, allowing for clear interactions with residents, staff, and community partners. Integrity-Driven: Committed to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information responsibly while embodying ethical standards and professionalism. Collaborative: Works effectively within teams, building strong relationships with colleagues, residents, and external partners to support program objectives. Organized: Highly organized, capable of managing multiple responsibilities and priorities efficiently, ensuring all tasks are completed accurately and on time. Advocative: Acts as an advocate for residents, demonstrating a passion for social justice and a commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. Culturally Competent: Understands and respects the cultural backgrounds of Indigenous clients, integrating this awareness into program delivery and client interactions.

Creating Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Communities

at JHS Victoria:

At John Howard Society of Victoria, we proudly embrace the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and we're excited to invite applicants from all backgrounds to join our team! We understand that everyone's journey is different, and we are committed to providing the support needed to ensure equal opportunities for success throughout the hiring process. John Howard Society of Victoria will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email hr@jhsvic.ca if you have a need for any accommodation. We're here to help!

Ready to Make a Positive Impact?

If you're passionate about making a positive impact in people's lives and meet the qualifications for this role, we'd love to hear from you!


Please submit your application applying on the portal. Submission deadline is December 15, 2025 and we'll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. So don't wait--apply today and take the next step in your journey with us!