Details:
North Island Employment is currently accepting applications for a full-time (35 hours/week) Specialized Employment Counsellor in our Campbell River office. This is an excellent opportunity to work in an exciting, client-centered career with an award winning organization! Please see the attached PDF for the complete job description.
The Role…
The Specialized Employment Counsellor position reports to Regional Manager, Client Services and works collaboratively with and serves as a resource to the WorkBC Service Delivery team. This position is responsible for achieving sustained employment outcomes by utilizing various service delivery channels including Virtual, Outreach and WorkBC Centres and uses a client centered approach to identify strengths, skills and abilities and addresses barriers to effective achievement of employment and/or community attachment goals. This position is responsible for taking personal initiative for staying up to date and following WorkBC Policy and ICM requirements to ensure accurate data entry and documentation standards.
The Specialized Employment Counsellor position is responsible for meaningfully engaging with Indigenous (and non-Indigenous) clients both 1:1 and in group settings utilizing different delivery channels in order to increase and improve the consistent and ongoing mutual awareness of employment services offered that are available to Indigenous people. As a result, effectively working to remove barriers that prevent Indigenous people from feeling comfortable in connecting with and/or accessing WorkBC Employment Services and ensuring we are delivering services in a culturally safe and accessible manner with the goal of improving employment outcomes and job sustainment for Indigenous clients.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assess the employment needs, challenges and strengths of clients using an employment readiness framework and relevant assessment tools to determine appropriate services to support the client to achieve and maintain sustainable employment.
• Assess the eligibility and need for financial supports for job search, program participation and job start activities.
• Assess and refer clients in need of diagnostic and disability supports and other specialized services.
• Work closely with clients to assess and determine suitable, realistic and sustainable career goals.
• Assist clients with referrals to appropriate community resources.
• Work with clients to develop a realistic action plan to achieve and maintain employment.
• Refer clients to appropriate workshops and provide 1-to-1 employment sessions when appropriate.
• Prepare rationales for referral to services like Training, Self-Employment, Wage Subsidy, Job Creation Partnerships etc.
• Manage a varied and complex case load.
• Monitor each client’s progress (minimum 52 weeks) through ongoing scheduled contact, follow up services and post-service communications to monitor job sustainment by providing ongoing contact until client is employed and Action Plan is complete.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate electronic case management files using integrated case management system.
• As part of rotating coverage in the Resource Area, assist clients with accessing the Online Employment Services portal and in finding necessary resources and provide support and assistance to self-serve clients accessing job postings, using the computer lab, word processing, Internet, occupational information, academic/re-training information, etc.
• Facilitate group-based and 1-1 employment related workshops (i.e. resume building; cover letters; interview skills; labour market information, essential skills etc.).
• Assist with community networking (i.e. building lines of support and making cross-referrals with other social and educational agencies).
• Provide Job Development Services as needed to clients that require assistance with self-marketing and employer contacts.
• Participate in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and priorities for Indigenous recruitment
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of community programming for Indigenous clients including employment programming, funding and support services
• Work in collaboration with Senior Managers to facilitate service delivery to clients through multiple channels that help meet the Annual Business Plan requirements.
• Other duties as required.
Qualifications & Experience:
• 3 years’ experience working as an Employment Counsellor and/or Employment Skills Facilitator in the employment services industry (or similar industry) working with a broad and diverse range of clients including those with complex barriers both in-person and through virtual services.
• Experience working with and in Indigenous communities recognizing, understanding and respecting the importance of cultural safety and protocol.
• Experience coaching and mentoring clients.
• Experience working with persons with mental health and addictions issues; including the ability to develop creative, productive and collaborative working relationships with diverse Indigenous clients who experience complex barriers to employment.
• Experience working with scheduling and case management database systems.
• Proficient using technology and computer skills associated with group facilitation, case management and job search including internet, email, smart phones, MS Office Word, PowerPoint or other presentation software.
• Advanced keyboarding skills and ability to type a minimum of 40 words per minute.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
• Availability to work varied work hours including evenings and weekends.
• Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) or actively working towards certification.
AND
• A post-secondary certificate, degree, or diploma in a relevant field (i.e. career or employment development; Indigenous Studies; vocational rehabilitation; social work; psychology; sociology; human services; counselling; education; or human resources).
• A criminal record check will be required and employment will be contingent on the result of this check being such that security clearance to work in the Integrated Case Management System can be approved.