Employment Specialist, Punjabi Speaking (Safe Haven)

The Employment Specialist provides social and economic integration support to Refugee Claimants who are looking to be engaged in the job market. The service provisions include information, orientation, service linking, job placement and coaching. Employment Specialists possess skills and expertise in at least three of the following areas: assessment, information and resource management, facilitated individual and group learning; job development; knowledge of labor market trends, career transition and self-employment etc.

Key Responsibilities:

• Recruits clients by liaising with community services, agencies and training institutions to increase client referrals;
• Interviews clients and prepares case histories and assesses eligibility for services. Coordinates with community and employment service providers (e.g. Work BC) and refers clients to more appropriate services as needed;
• Conducts assessments to find each person’s skills, interests, employment history and career goals as well as their settlement needs. This may include pre-employment assessments and needs assessments to identify barriers;
• Conducts individual employment counselling sessions with clients to gather information, identify challenges, and initiate problem-solving. Assesses clients’ interests, skills, abilities and readiness as they relate to obtaining and retaining employment and identifies barriers to employment;
• Prepares clients for, and supports them during the job search, selection and hiring process. This may include proving assistance with matters such as career development, job search strategies, job readiness and interview skills and connecting clients to settlement and career development related community services and resources;
• Creates marketing materials such as brochures, posters, public service announcements etc.;
• Prepares and manages case files for clients not eligible for other community or employment services;
• Conducts program promotion to community services, media sources and internal marketing;
• Provides referrals to short term crisis and mental health counselling;
• Plans, develops and facilitates employment workshop sessions;
• Develops and maintains a network of appropriate contacts with external service providers to support and follow up on client referrals based on needs and eligibility of client group. Maintains comprehensive inventories of community resources to make available to immigrant and/or refugee clients;
• Meets targets and deliverables as outlined in the contract;
• Maintains client files and records according to Society or program accreditation standards;
• Prepares reports and compiles program statistics;
• Prepares work placement contracts and process financial requisitions for wage subsidies and other financial allowances provided to clients and employers;
• Tracks and forecasts financial obligations within the program;
• Attends program planning/review meetings, team and all-staff meetings, and special meetings as required;
• Liaises with external stakeholders and attends external meetings, workshops or conferences related to employment and immigrant issues for networking, marketing, advocacy and/or professional development purposes;
• Assists with monitoring, development and implementation of quality assurance;
• Participates in annual performance appraisals with the Manager;
• Adheres to Policies and Procedures of the Society;
• Performs other duties as required by the Manager;

Qualified Candidates will posses:

• Diploma in Human Resources or related human services;
• One (1) year experience directly related to career development, human resources or recruitment or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the needs and issues of job seekers in Canada;
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant community resources, programs and services;
• Knowledge of adult learning models, career decision making process, assessment of pre-employment barriers including English as a Second Language;
• Knowledge and understanding of legislation and policies relevant to employment in Canada (Employment Standards Act, Work Safe BC, etc.);
• Knowledge of post-secondary education system in Canada and the existing employment services;
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across all levels including the ability to present information to multi-cultural groups and employers and one on one career coaching to individuals;
• Demonstrated ability to provide support to the target service users in the event of workplace safety or employment standards violation, liaising with service providers such as employment Standard Branch, WorkSafe BC, and other relevant legal assistance;
• Verbal and written proficiency in English & Punjabi at a professional level;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team setting - inter-departmental teams and community service providers;
• Intermediate to advanced level user of MS Office, Internet and email applications;
• Experience utilizing social media as a method of client recruitment and communication/promotion.

A Criminal Record Check is a requirement of employment.

Please note that we currently have staff on the recall list. If an applicant on the recall list applies to this vacancy, the provisions under Article 13.5 "Recall" of the Collective Agreement will apply and we will not consider internal applications from those with less seniority.