Job Opportunity

Position: Employment Counsellor / Job Developer
Organization: Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre
Location: Toronto ON (near Gerrard & Greenwood)

Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre (RIWC) is a community-based registered charity with a mission to empower equity-deserving groups and create flourishing communities by mobilizing resources and supports at the local and systemic levels. RIWC provides a community-centered environment that recognizes Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ rights, confronts racism, and welcomes all people.

RIWC's core programs and services include the following:

• Food Service and Hospitality Training Program (FSHT)
• Integrated Employment Services Program (IES)
• Violence Against Women and Children Program (VAW)

Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Employment Counsellor for our Integrated Employment Services (formerly Employment Ontario) program. This role will be responsible for end-to-end client service delivery and reports to the Program Supervisor.

Key Responsibilities:

Employment Services:

• Respond to inquiries about RIWC’s services and conduct initial screening with referrals to appropriate services as needed;
• Conduct intakes/assessments using the Common Assessment Tool (CAT);
• Co-develop Employment Action Plan (EAP) with clients;
• Schedule one-on-one sessions with clients tailored to their needs (at least once a month);
• Provide internal and external referrals for additional services and supports (e.g., Violence Against Women Counselling; WES for credentialization, Windmill Microlending, and bridging programs for skilled immigrants);
• Develop workshop content for employment readiness (e.g., résumés & cover letters, interview skills, occupational exploration, matching skills to occupations, networking, LinkedIn profile, Social Media for Job Search, Business Etiquette) and skills development (e.g., Salary Negotiation);
• Facilitate workshops if external partners are not available;
• Facilitate weekly Job Search Clubs to discuss job search-related topics (e.g., workplace culture and communication) in a peer support group setting;
• Co-develop job search plan/strategy and match jobs to clients’ needs;
• Provide mock interviews for job opportunities and assist clients with job applications;
• Refer clients to professional mentorship programs as needed (e.g., TRIEC, WoodGreen for international professionals);
• Provide monthly job coaching and job retention support to both employed clients and their employers during the 12-month monitoring period;
• Provide clients with information on job fairs organized by RIWC and external partners as well as employer and community events;

Administration & Coordination:

• Contribute to progress reports for funders and senior management;
• Initiate employment related financial supports for employers and clients (e.g., short-term transportation costs, special work equipment, work clothing or grooming, etc.).
• Ensure client data is entered in CAMs and the Future Fit AI client management systems in a timely fashion;
• Schedule workshops with facilitators from external partners (e.g., Personality Dimensions, Customer Service) based on client needs;
• Invite employer guest speakers to present to groups of clients either in-person or virtually;
• Facilitate weekly team meetings (with minute-taking) on a rotational basis to review performance metrics, client feedback, and service delivery adjustments, ensuring effective communication and problem-solving within the team.

Mentorship:

• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate qualified placement students under the direction of the Program Supervisor.

Job Development:

• Coordinate work-based job shadowing opportunities at the Riverdale Hub, our social enterprise partner;
• Create and maintain relationships with potential employers as part of their job development responsibilities
• Liaise with job fair coordinators to extend invitations to food service and hospitality sector employers to their job fairs;
• Facilitate job leads as well as employment networking;
• Stay up to date with the current job market and trends

Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience in an Employment Ontario employment training program a must.
• Experience with Employment Ontario client relationship management (CRM) systems (including CAMS and Common Assessment Tool) for employment services a must.
• Degree or post-graduate certificate in a relevant field (e.g., career or employment development, vocational rehabilitation, social work) or equivalent experience.
• Canadian Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) designation preferred.
• Previous experience in community-based services in the non-profit sector.
• Expertise in employment services (including job development and retention) and building partnerships with employers, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Experience with housing support services is an asset.
• Knowledge of the local labour market, community resources, government programs, job search techniques, career development and issues relating to unemployment.
• Demonstrated experience working with marginalized groups facing complex barriers (e.g., racialized communities, low-income individuals, newcomers, refugees). Shared lived experience is an asset.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and mediation skills.
• Solid understanding of confidentiality and other professional codes of conduct (criminal reference check is required).
• Proficiency in English required. Other languages are considered an asset.
• Advanced computer skills in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency with the use of virtual meeting platforms, including Google Hangouts, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Please Note: This is an IN-PERSON position that requires some travel within the GTA for engagement activities.

Hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm; 37.5 hours per week

How to Apply:

Please send a detailed cover-letter and resume to: info@riwc.ca

We thank you for your interest in the position. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

RIWC is committed to equity, diversity, and accessibility and welcomes applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, women, and persons with disabilities.

Please let us know if you require accommodation for the recruitment process and we will work with you to meet your needs.

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