Employment Specialist, Employment Programs

We are recruiting for an Employment Specialist to support the Coast Capital Credentialing Program for Newcomer Women, and RBC Start It Right/HEAL for Work programs. The Employment Specialist will provide career and employment services to skilled newcomer women, newcomer youth, and survivors of violence and trauma, helping them overcome barriers, develop career goals, build workforce readiness, and secure meaningful employment.

Responsibilities include career coaching, workshop facilitation, employment counselling, job development and placement, resource navigation, labour market guidance, and connecting participants to mentorship, training, and community supports. Through these programs, participants gain the skills, confidence, and support needed to achieve sustainable employment and long-term career success.

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 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;
• 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.

Qualified Candidates will possess:

• 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 English proficiency 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.

Preference will be given to candidates who also posses:

• CCDP or CDP certification;
• A second language.

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.