Employment Coach

YMCA of Greater Vancouver; Kamloops; On-site; CAD 57,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation & sick time

Gym membership

Medical & dental benefits

Training & development opportunities

Employee assistance program

Childcare discounts

Community impact

Job summary

YMCA BC in Kamloops seeks an Employment Coach to deliver culturally responsive employment readiness services for Indigenous youth. You will conduct needs assessments, coordinate wraparound supports, and connect participants with training and employment opportunities in partnership with local organizations.

The role emphasizes creating inclusive pathways, facilitating workshops, and building strong employer relationships to promote equitable access to work for youth aged 19+.

Qualifications

• Post-Secondary Certificate, Diploma, or Degree in a related discipline, or equivalent work experience
• Experience working with youth or persons facing barriers due to complex needs
• Experience with developing and facilitating community-based programming and services
• Strong facilitation skills with proven experience in developing curriculum in life, employability and computer skills within an employment program setting
• Awareness of local youth resources and willingness to develop community supports
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable and multi-task in high demand environment
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Proficiency with Adobe, DocuSign, Salesforce and Microsoft 365 including Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook and SharePoint
• High degree of independence and initiative within a team environment
• Proven responsibility to coordinate tasks and work as part of a team
• Emergency First Aid/CPR-C Certificate required
• 3 satisfactory references
• Current and satisfactory Criminal Record check with Vulnerable sector search

Responsibilities

• Develop and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities in Kamloops and surrounding areas
• Initiates and maintains on-going contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives
• Makes cold calls to potential employers
• Coordinates and supports connection to potential employment for program participants
• Locates jobs for participants who have successfully completed the program
• Provides labour market and community resource information
• Researches internet, agencies, and other resources for job leads
• Develops and executes creative outreach strategies to recruit program participants
• Provides coverage for facilitation and delivery of employment workshops
• Provides individualized employment support for participants
• Tracks participant activity and progress data
• Matches job skills with applicant qualifications
• Organizes and holds job fairs and employer events in various areas, virtually and in person

Job description

Salary Range: $57,229.00 To $62,000.00 Annually

Date Posted: July 31, 2026

Position Title: Employment Coach

Location: Aboriginal Training and Employment Centre (144 Briar Ave, Kamloops, BC V2B 1C1)

Term: Temporary, Full-Time

Hours: 35 hours per week

Shift: Monday-Friday, some evenings and weekends may be required

Start Date: August 15, 2026

End Date: March 2028

Salary: $57,229–$62,000 annually

Reports To: Manager, Employment and Skills Development

• Competitive vacation and paid sick time
• Free YMCA Gym Membership+ Y@Home
• Eligibility for Extended Medical and Dental Benefits
• Training and Professional Development Opportunities
• Extensive Employee assistance program
• Reduced childcare rates and priority placement for YMCA Staff
• Be part of a charitable organization that positively impacts the community

*Some benefits may vary based on employment terms

Nature & Scope

This program is a culturally responsive, community-based employment readiness program designed to address the systemic barriers faced by many Indigenous youth in accessing meaningful employment. This initiative will prioritize youth (ages 19+) who have the highest identified support needs, specifically those aging out of foster care who identify as neurodiverse. In partnership with Secwépemc Child and Family Services Agency (SCFS), the program will focus on creating inclusive, accessible pathways to employment that recognize and accommodate diverse learning styles and strengths. Participants will receive individualized employment readiness support, including skills development workshops tailored to neurodiverse learners, culturally grounded programming, and supported connections to training and employment opportunities. The program will emphasize building confidence, strengthening work readiness skills, and fostering self-advocacy in workplace settings.

Employment Coaches will conduct comprehensive needs assessments and provide ongoing, individualized guidance to support each participant’s employment journey. They will coordinate wraparound supports through collaboration with community organizations and service providers, ensuring participants have access to the social, cultural, and practical resources necessary for success. Strong partnerships with employers will be cultivated to promote inclusive hiring practices, increase employer awareness of neurodiversity, and create meaningful employment opportunities aligned with participants’ strengths and goals.

Major Responsibilities - in this position, you will:

• Develop and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities in Kamloops and surrounding areas.
• Initiates and maintains on-going contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives
• Makes cold calls to potential employers
• Coordinates and supports connection to potential employment for program participants
• Locates jobs for participants who have successfully completed the program
• Provides labour market and community resource information
• Researches internet, agencies, and other resources for job leads
• Develops and executes creative outreach strategies to recruit program participants
• Provides coverage for facilitation and delivery of employment workshops
• Provides individualized employment support for participants
• Tracks participant activity and progress data
• Matches job skills with applicant qualifications
• Organizes and holds job fairs and employer events in various areas, virtually and in person

Qualification - you bring:

• Post-Secondary Certificate, Diploma, or Degree in a related discipline, or equivalent work experience
• Experience working with youth or persons facing barriers due to complex needs.
• CDP or related certification is an asset
• Experience with developing and facilitating community-based programming and services
• Strong facilitation skills with proven experience in developing curriculum in life, employability and computer skills within an employment program setting
• Awareness of local youth resources and willingness to develop community supports
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable and multi-task in high demand environment
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Computer proficiency – Adobe, DocuSign, Salesforce and Microsoft 365 including Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook and SharePoint
• High degree of independence and initiative within a team environment
• Proven responsibility to coordinate tasks and work as part of a team
• Emergency First Aid/CPR-C Certificate required, can be obtained within 30 days of start date
• Successful candidate will be required to provide 3 satisfactory references
• Successful candidates will be required to provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Record check with a Vulnerable sector search issued no later than six (6) months preceding the start date.

About YMCA BC:

By igniting belonging and championing health equity, YMCA BC strengthens the foundations of community. With over 3,000 employees and volunteers, YMCA BC serves 150,000 individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities across hundreds of service locations, from the Sunshine Coast to Fort St. John.

As a charity, YMCA BC promotes equitable access to healthier outcomes by providing vital programs and services to help address many of our communities' most pressing social issues, including health and wellness, affordable child care and camps, mental health, employment services and community health.

We believe there is potential inside all of us and envision vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities for all.

YMCA BC is firmly committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB). By taking an intersectional approach to our programs and services, the YMCA is committed to creating spaces and experiences where everyone feels safe, welcome, and like they belong. Learn more at ymcabc.ca.

YMCA BC is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible environment where all members of our community feel valued, respected, and supported. We encourage applications from the diverse communities in which we live and serve, including but not limited to people of colour, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. We have established policies, procedures, and practices to meet accessibility standards throughout the hiring process. Should you require any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People Services department.

Thank you for your interest and application.