Career Advisor with Gear Up Youth Employment Program

YWCA Metro Vancouver; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Career Advisor to support NEET youth in their journey towards employment. This role involves facilitating workshops, providing individualized coaching, and maintaining partnerships with local businesses. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, along with excellent communication skills. You'll be part of a supportive team that prioritizes employee wellbeing and offers diverse opportunities for growth. If you're passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people, this position is perfect for you!

Benefits

Extended medical and dental benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Family Assistance Program

Free membership to Health + Fitness Centre

Discounts at YWCA Hotel

Priority in YWCA Child Care centres

Mentorship program

Equity committees for support

Qualifications

• Experience working with at-risk youth and facilitating workshops.
• Strong communication skills and commitment to diversity and equity.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate workshops and provide coaching for youth participants.
• Recruit job placement employers and maintain partnerships.
• Assist participants with job search strategies and goal setting.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Career advising experience

Group facilitation experience

Understanding of youth issues

Organizational skills

Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

Ability to lift over 25 lbs

Education

Relevant post-secondary education

Tools

CCDP certification

BC Driver’s License (Class 5)

Job description

Career Advisor with Gear Up Youth Employment Program

Details

Status: Term Full-Time, 35 hours per week until March 31, 2026, with possibility of extension

Location: Career Zone Youth Employment Centre- Downtown Vancouver. Candidates must be able to work on site.

Posting Period:

Job Description:

The YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Gear Up program, launched in January 2020, supports NEET youth (ages 16-30) by providing employability skills, certifications, and hands-on bike mechanic training with the goal of securing employment in a bike shop. Funded by the Ministry of Post-Secondary and Future Skills and in partnership with RBC, the 13-week program includes six weeks of workshops and hands-on bike repair training with Pedal Society, followed by a six-week work placement in a bike shop. If participants do not secure employment, they receive two additional weeks of intensive job search support.

What you’ll be doing:

1. Facilitate group life and employability skills workshops for participants
2. Pursue potential new partner shops and maintain positive relationships with new and current partners
3. Recruit job placement employers and place participants in appropriate 6-week placements
4. Research and pursue other community advancement opportunities
5. Provide on-the-job coaching for participants during paid work experience placements
6. Assist participants with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation and job search strategies
7. Assist program participants in identifying short and long-term goals
8. Provide individualized coaching and support as participants work towards goals
9. Work collaboratively within the community and YWCA for referrals and client recruitment
10. Other duties as required

What you’ll need:

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
2. Relevant post-secondary education and/or a combination of relevant education and work experience
3. Career advising and group facilitation experience with at-risk youth
4. Keen understanding of issues and barriers faced by youth
5. Understanding of community resource and wrap-around supports available to program participants
6. Must be reliable, well-organized, detail-oriented, excellent follow-through skills
7. Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
8. Ability to lift over 25 lbs
9. CCDP certification will be considered an asset
10. Bike Mechanic skills will be considered an asset
11. Experience working with Indigenous persons is an asset
12. BC Driver’s License (Class 5) and access to a vehicle is an asset (mileage reimbursement provided)
13. A valid clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.

What we offer: We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total compensation package:

1. extended medical and dental benefits
2. flexible working arrangements for applicable positions
3. Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members
4. free membership to our Health + Fitness Centre, discounts at our YWCA Hotel and priority in YWCA Child Care centres
5. a workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety and wellbeing, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our staff mentorship program and three equity committees who help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.

Pay rate: $31.16 per hour

How to Apply:

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an inclusive and rewarding workplace! Candidates are invited to send cover letters and resumes. Position is open until filled.

Gray Myrfield (he/him)

Program Manager

Email: [e-mail]

We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview processes are accessible to all applicants; if you require accommodations in submitting your application, or have other questions, please contact the hiring manager as listed. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, transferrable skills, lived experience, and business need. We thank all who apply, but only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about this and other YWCA Metro Vancouver career opportunities, please visit ywcavan.org.