Employment Counsellor - Employment Program

360°kids’ youth Employment Programs provide unemployed and out of school youth (aged 15-30) with career coaching, skills training and placement opportunities to successfully obtain and sustain employment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Marketing, outreach, and promotion of program to community youth serving agencies, employers and community at large
• Act as a positive role model, mentor and support for youth as they learn new skills in through development and co- facilitation of pre-employment workshops and job coaching throughout work placement.
• Responsible for the ongoing development, provision and delivery of a comprehensive range of career development activities in the areas of career decision-making, educational planning, professional school and continuing education, work search, and employment.
• Develop and facilitate appropriate program materials for at-risk youth including hard and soft skills for employment as well as life skills to maintain and sustain employment.
• Assist youth in accessing various community programs/supports as appropriate based on needs and barriers.
• Work alongside program staff to ensure job placement opportunities reflect youth needs, abilities, employment goals, and overall suitability.
• Conduct program intakes, determine eligibility and makes recommendations based on youth needs.
• Relationship building and assessment of youth to ensure successful job matching.
• Assess the employment needs and barriers of youth enrolled in the program and assist and provide support in the development of youth action plans based on Case Management needs; co-ordinate youth action plan activities, monitor progress, and keep client case notes.
• Prepare placement contracts for youth and employers and ensure timely collection of paystubs for employer incentive reimbursement.
• Monitoring job placements, liaise with employers, youth, and other team members regarding progress.
• Act as a support to employers and handle any questions or concerns that arise.
• Represents the organization and program as required with various aspects of the community including agency partners, employers, donors, coworkers, volunteers, schools, clients, and family members.
• Complete all mandatory recording and reporting including daily documentation and statistical data collection.
• Participates in regular supervision meetings and performance appraisal meetings on a semiannual basis. Attends training workshops and relevant conferences that pertain to the role.
• Deliver programming/services in accordance with 360°kids’ Strategic Plan and funding expectations.
• Ensure key relationships with community partners and others having impact on the program are sustained.
• Work with 360˚staff to ensure program(s) success while positively contributing to organizational needs.
• Other duties as required

Working Conditions

• Work in 360°kids’ location including Richmond Hill HUB (10415 Yonge Street) and/or New market Youth HUB (130 Davis Drive) and a variety of public locations
• Transport of clients as the need arises, maintain adequate liability coverage ($2,000,000) at all times on personal vehicle.
• Contact with at risk and homeless youth, which may include working under unpredictable circumstances and with potentially challenging clients.
• Contact with seniors in the community, which may include working under unpredictable circumstances and with potentially challenging clients.

QUALIFICATIONS OR SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Post-secondary education in mental health/social services field of study (e.g. Child and Youth Work, Addictions and Mental Health, Social Worker, Social Service Worker, Psychology) or the equivalent combination of education and experience working with youth.
• Minimum of one year Employment Counselling and/or Program Facilitation experience
• Experience working with vulnerable or street involved youth/youth with mental health/addictions barriers
• Counselling experience in terms of life skills and behavior management
• Exceptional relationship building skills, excellent communication, interpersonal, and organization skills. Demonstrated client focused counselling skills and role modelling.
• Assessment, intake, and case management skills
• Motivated, has a strong work ethic, empathetic, and must be able to work with a team
• Must possess excellent communication skills and have the ability to be adaptable with a flexible approach taking into consideration the unique qualities of each client.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills that promote positive team building, negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Will possess a broad knowledge of community resources and the ability to strongly advocate for clients and professional referrals.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification, current vulnerable sector screening (criminal background check), car and valid driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract and $2 million liability insurance