Employment development, Career training

Hiring: Employment Counsellor & Engagement Coordinator
Organization: Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre
Location: Toronto ON (Greenwood & Gerrard)
Sustainability: RIWC is based in Riverdale Hub, with green initiatives / local food.

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 and Employment Counsellor/Engagement Coordinator 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 enquiries 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;
• Administer 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.

Community Engagement & Job Development:

• Develop content for social media and newsletter postings and promotional materials for dissemination;
• Promote RIWC employment services through outreach campaigns and presentations;
• Coordinate work-based job shadowing opportunities at the Riverdale Hub, our social enterprise partner;
• Liaise with job fair coordinators to extend invitations to food service and hospitality sector employers to their job fairs;
• Develop new partnerships and present RIWC employment services to external partners, including potential employers;
• Attend and present IES services at open houses, meetings, ‘lunch and learns’, events, job fairs, and galas hosted by partner organizations.

Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• 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.
• Previous experience in an Employment Ontario employment training program.
• 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.
• Experience with client relationship management (CRM) systems (including CAMS and Common Assessment Tool) for employment services.
• 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.

This is a hybrid position that requires both in-person and remote work as well as some travel within the GTA for engagement activities.

Salary: $55,000 to $60,000 per year

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

How to Apply:

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

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.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.