Career Development Specialist/Employment Counsellor (ALP)

Position Title: Career Development Specialist/ Employment Counsellor

Reporting to: Manager, Advanced Leadership Program

Working Hours: Typically, 5 days per week from Monday to Friday (35 hours a week). This is a temporary full-time position until March 2025 with the possibility of extension depending on funding.

Salary: $52,856

Location: 128a Sterling Road, Toronto, ON, M6R 2B7

Application Deadline: April 29th 2024

Position Summary

The Career Development Specialist/Employment Counsellor is accountable for providing career development-related services and advise to unemployed or underemployed individuals who need one-on-one guidance and support. The incumbent will assess clients’ needs, develop realistic service plans with them, make appropriate referrals and track the clients’ progress through case management to ensure successful completion of the training segment of the Advanced Leadership Program (ALP). Additionally, the incumbent will deliver employment related workshops and participate in community outreach. The incumbent will work as part of a team to promote the organization and ensure that service delivery is in accordance with the service delivery contractual obligations of the organization. This position requires a responsive career coach who is client focused and knowledgeable about the Skills Development Fund initiative, and that is also able to identify the different barriers to employment that newcomers to Canada have to face. This role is accountable and responsible for program-specific targets.

Duties and Responsibilities

Intake & Assessment (30%)

1. Screen applications of potential participants in the ALP to identify if this training program is appropriate for the individual.

2. Utilize a needs assessment tool to determine whether the ALP is the most beneficial career development path for the client.

3. Review clients’ eligibility and suitability as documented in order to ensure appropriateness and completeness in the rationales for further actions.

4. Ensure intake paperwork is completed for minimum 20 booked clients per week in the five weeks prior to the start of each training cohort; each intake takes approximately one hour.

5. Conduct motivational interviewing at intake ensuring all clients information, registration forms and case notes about the service decision are documented in each client physical files as well as on the client’s virtual file.

Intensive Case Management (45%)

1. Provide one-on-one sessions through in-depth assessments and working with clients to develop a realistic service plan in order for them to achieve employment.

2. Remain knowledgeable and current on clients’ employability dimensions (i.e., interpersonal skills, work history and educational attainment).

3. Provide tailored service plans that allow clients to access multiple training services simultaneously, with steps clearly outlined so that they are achievable.

4. Manage the cases of clients whose assessment show they are appropriate for the ALP, by tracking clients progress, chronologically documenting in an objective, clear and concise manner, steps/actions taken and following up with clients at specified intervals until goal (training & employed) is achieved.

5. Make timely and appropriate referrals to Workforce Development Specialists that are consistent with clients’ service plan on career path and employment.

6. Use database systems (e.g., myEOIS and MS Excel) and processes to manage the effectiveness of training interventions and timeliness of training completion (e.g., training applications, and job placements).

7. Input clients’ activities in the Case Notes form, adhering to the guidelines for collecting data in order to capture trends, monitor milestones and metrics in compliance with Funding Agreement as well as ensuring up-to-date data for monthly statistical reports.

8. Deliver information group sessions, training information sessions, labour market information, job search workshops and outreach in order to provide program participants with the knowledge and tools needed to become job search ready.

9. Ensure excellent customer service is provided by responding to clients’ needs and queries in a knowledgeable, timely and professional manner and by providing them with opportunity to give feedback on service received.

10. Identify and address clients’ and organizational issues and concerns by actively listening to clients’ needs, and by collaborating with staff in order to obtain solutions and accurately document the process and outcome.

Teamwork (25%)

1. Promote NEW to newcomer women, job seekers, agencies, and Businesses/employers in order to increase awareness of the organization, generate new clients, business opportunities and to remain current on employment resources and trends.

2. Provide coverage as needed and respond to other duties as required, to ensure smooth and seamless service to clients.

3. Participating in staff/team meetings by sharing ideas and providing support

4. Collaborate with onsite staff in case of client emergency or crisis intervention

5. Collaborate in case conferencing with Program Coordinator and Workforce Development Specialists for appropriate job placement through weekly team meetings and email/phone interactions.

6. Participate in training and professional development as determined by the Program Manager

Competencies

  • A strong customer service orientation

  • A “can do” attitude

  • An engaged demeanor; committed to the work

  • A self-starter in problem-solving; or quick to seek out support from the Manager or

  • colleagues as required

  • Strong ability to work in a team-oriented setting

  • A quick learner – who becomes knowledgeable about the responsibilities and

  • expectations of team members

  • Demonstrated accuracy and timeliness for data input

  • An openness to resolve any inter-personal conflict

  • Maintains client and file confidentialities

Minimum Requirements

  • 3 – 5 years experience as a Career Counsellor

  • 3 – 5 years’ experience in using common assessment tools to assess client needs and

  • demonstrated ability to link clients to employment.

  • A university degree in social work, social services or a relevant field.

  • Certification in Career Counseling would be an asset.

  • Available to work in person at the office five days per week, and on evenings and

  • weekends as needed.

  • Demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace and an anti-oppression framework.

  • Experience working with databases and data entry.

  • Fluency in a second language such as Spanish, Ukrainian, Cantonese, Arabic or Urdu is an asset.

  • Knowledge of labor market information.

  • Strong facilitation skills.

  • Detail-oriented.

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter to hr@newcomerwomen.org by 11:59 PM EST, April 29th, 2024, and quote “Career Development Specialist/Employment Counsellor” in the subject line.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you need accommodation, please let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Please note All new hires must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a mandatory condition of employment, subject to exemption under the Human Rights Code.

Kinjal Desai