CharityVillage

Position - Career Counsellor/ Job Developer - Opportunity Fund (Contract until June 2025)
Location - 555 Richmond Street West

Kindly note that we are temporarily operating via a hybrid model of in-office and remote work.

YES believes that employment is empowerment and the cornerstone of safe and healthy communities. YES leads the Canadian youth sector with innovative programs that empower disadvantaged and vulnerable youth to become self-sufficient contributing members of society.

Summary – The Position

The Career Counsellor/Job Developer will play a critical role working with YES clients who identify with mental health challenges to start and sustain their own businesses. This includes providing career counselling and job development services as well as training.  The successful candidate will be responsible for collaborating with local businesses, mental health professionals, and community organizations to ensure client success.

The Candidate

Your energy and enthusiasm are boundless and you enjoy and thrive in a fast paced environment.  You’re detail oriented, have strong communication skills, have the ability to multi-task, are creative, imaginative and you are a strategic thinker.  You are driven and welcome the opportunity to aspire to measurable targets.  You thrive in a business like and professional environment.  You’re skilled at using your sense of humour and personality to obtain consensus.

Qualifications 

• University Degree and three (3) years of experience in  job development, career coaching, group facilitation as well as sales and marketing
• Experience working with people who identify as having mental health challenges
• Experience in facilitating intakes and conducting client assessments
• Knowledge of community resources and services for individuals with mental health challenges.
• Good understanding of mental health issues, especially in relation to employment and self-employment.
• Demonstrated experience in entrepreneurship, business development, or job coaching is a definite asset.
• Excellent communication, negotiating and presentation skills
• Strong computer skills in MS Office, MS Teams, Zoom, G Suite, Internet, email and database management
• Experience with inputting client data including effective case notes
• Knowledge of the Toronto labour market, industry trends and apprenticeships
• Ability to relate to socially and economically disadvantaged youth
• Ability to work in a diverse and inclusive workplace  

Specific Duties

Job Development:

• Outreach to multiple employers through research, cold calling and email to secure high-quality placements and hit the targets for placement on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Maintain a diverse job bank, keeping all information current and well organized
• Develop training plans in conjunction with employers for the duration of all training placements
• Negotiate training contracts and stipends, ensuring all forms are signed prior to placement start dates
• Market YES services to employers and create job trials, job shadowing, mentorship and job placement/opportunities by: mail-outs, cold calls, telephone solicitation and any other method deemed appropriate
• Monitor and maintain regular contact with employers to encourage successful participant job retention
• Conduct regular evaluations with all YES clients and employers to ensure excellent customer service

Career Counselling:

• Assess the client’s skills and abilities, employment interest and barriers to successful employment to determine employment needs and develop a plan of action identifying level of support
• Clarify employment, training or career goals by exploring local labour market, education and training opportunities/resources, including apprenticeship opportunities
• Determine need, suitability and readiness for on-the-job  or training supports
• Follow up with clients, referring agencies and employers
• Conduct presentations to agencies and the community at large on behalf of YES
• Adhere to and maintain outcomes target as set by YES and ensure high quality customer service
• Responsible for the employment skills training component, as well as case management, securing quality work placements and ongoing employment, etc.
• Effectively and collaboratively resolve any client conflicts, escalating when appropriate to program management

Group Facilitation

• Deliver a suite of workshops that would include resume writing, cover letters, job search and interview skills
• Use the entrepreneurship curriculum to present to the cohort
• Facilitate workshops and engaging virtual meetings utilizing various platforms and tools including videoconferencing

Administration

• Ensure that client files are complete with all required documentation
• Ensure that case notes are up-to-date at all times
• Monitor and track client attendance, bringing any concerns forward to program management for discussion

Organizational Responsibilities 

• Adheres to all YES policies and procedures and ensures confidentially is maintained on client, personnel, financial and agency matters
• Represents YES at all times in a professional manner
• Participates in regular supervision meetings
• Attends all staff meetings
• Works cooperatively with other team members
• Carries out any other duties, as required

Starting Salary:           $60,563.36 with an increase after 6-months to $61,234.64
Position:         Career Counsellor/Job Developer, OPSEU Bargaining Unit Position.

Location:         555 Richmond St. W, Toronto, ON

Hours of Work:  40 hours per week, Monday to Thursday: 9 – 5; Friday: 9-4.00

If interested, please submit cover letter and resume to mdecesare@yes.on.ca 

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under the YES Accessibility policy.

Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

We thank all applicants. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

YES is an equal opportunity employer.