Employment Counsellor

Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services in Toronto's Scarborough area is seeking a dedicated Employment Counsellor to support clients through Engage, Explore, Progress, Start and Succeed stages of the Integrated Employment Services program.

The role requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills to manage a high-volume caseload, with responsibilities including outreach, assessment, action-plan development, workshops, and ongoing coaching.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Employment Counseling, Psychology, or Education.
• At least three years of experience in employment counseling.
• Knowledge of labour market, assessment, job search techniques, and licensing pathways.
• Strong organizational skills to manage large caseloads and reporting.
• Familiarity with immigration and refugee services for newcomers.

Responsibilities

• Provide full range of employment-related services to eligible job seekers.
• Conduct outreach to achieve client targets for each client stream.
• Deliver intake, assessment, and development of individualized employment action plans.
• Offer guidance on trade certification or professional licensing and job search techniques.
• Organize and facilitate employment-related workshops and follow-up sessions.
• Maintain accurate client records and reports for management.
• Adapt delivery to support clients in a high-volume, high-demand environment.
• Collaborate with agency programs and community partners.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Cross-cultural sensitivity

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Adaptability

Education

Degree or diploma in Employment Counseling, Psychology, or Education

Job description

All applications are reviewed by our hiring team. We do not use AI in the screening or selection process.

We advise all applicants with work permits that obtaining employment with Polycultural will not guarantee the approval of any application for Permanent Resident status and emphasize that Polycultural’s positions do not currently qualify under the government’s Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) initiatives.

About Polycultural

Be a part of Polycultural Immigrant and Community services! Founded in 1993, Polycultural is dedicated to hosting an open and inclusive environment for all. We are a multicultural melting-pot perfectly reflecting Canada’s diversity. We are like a family, have a culture filled with care and genuine connection with a very inclusive environment for all. With a diverse range of programs and services, we help individuals and families build a brighter future in Canada. Serving clients from over eight different locations across the GTA and Orangeville in more than 20 languages.

Scope

We are seeking a highly motivated and adaptable Employment Counsellor to join our dynamic team. The employment counsellor role operates in a high-volume, high-demand environment, requiring exceptional organizational skills, the ability to prioritize effectively, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

The Employment Counsellor is responsible for providing employment-related supports to clients in the Engage, Explore, Progress, Start, and Succeed stages of the Integrated Employment Services program. Responsibilities include generating referrals for unemployed, newcomers, youth, OW recipients, conducting common assessment and employment action plan development with the clients, facilitating workshops to help clients develop employment-related skills, arranging skills training, and conducting regular follow-ups and coaching sessions with clients.

This is a contract position until March 31, 2027. In-person services must be delivered at our Eglinton Avenue East/Midland Avenue, Scarborough office locations. Hours are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide full range of employment-related services to eligible job seekers
• Conduct outreach to achieve client volume targets for each client stream and inclusion groups
• Deliver intake, common assessment, and collaborative development of individualized employment action plan, which captures activities, goals, and pre-employment services required to progress the client towards employment
• Offer guidance in trade certification or professional licensing, assistance with job search techniques, and process
• Provide comprehensive information on labour market, regulated professions, and job search
• Organize and facilitate workshops on employment-related topics
• Conduct regular contact appointments with each client with a focus on improving the client's job readiness for current labour market opportunities and progressing them towards their employment goals
• Support each client to secure and maintain employment by providing support to transition into employment and manage barriers
• Assist clients with succeeding in work, career development, and crisis response
• Deliver retention services, including monitoring checkpoints and ongoing support to achieve the next employment milestone
• Maintain and expand client’s base through community penetration and itinerate functions, which includes off-site visits, developing outreach materials, and promoting community networks
• Maintain strong working relations with agency programs and partner agencies
• Maintain accurate records of clients assisted and services provided
• Effectively track and provide accurate reporting for manager
• Organize and update regularly employment-related materials and tools for easy access
• Performs other duties as assigned

Changes behavioural style or method of approach when necessary to achieve a goal; adjusts style as appropriate to the needs of the situation. Responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives.

Communications

Using a variety of communication styles and strategies to foster open communications, the exchange of information, and discussion on an ongoing basis.

Initiative

Does more than is required or expected in the job; does things that no one has requested that will improve or enhance services, avoids problems, and develops entrepreneurial opportunities. Plans for upcoming problems or opportunities and takes appropriate action.

Service

Demonstrates strong commitment to meeting the needs of co-workers, managers, clients, or community members, striving to ensure their full satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Employment Counseling, Psychology, or Education, and at least three (3) years experience in employment counseling or a combination of experience and education that fulfills the requirements
• Knowledge of labour market, employment assessment, job search techniques and process, trade certification, and professional licensing pathways
• Demonstrated strong employment counseling skills
• Strong organizational skills to manage large caseload, data, and reporting
• Knowledge of immigration and refugee services and of the ethno-specific programs and services within the GTA
• Familiarity with issues facing newcomers in Canadian urban setting and systemic barriers facing integration in education, social, cultural, and economic aspects of Canadian life
• Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural, written, and verbal communication skills
• Experience in outreach, community development, and marketing of programs and services
• Ability to work flexible schedules on an as needed basis
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license

Other requirements

• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check (completed when offer is made)

In support of persons with disabilities, Polycultural asks that job applicants with disabilities who require accommodation in the recruitment and selection process, to please advise Human Resources if contacted for an interview/testing so that suitable accommodation can be arranged, in compliance with AODA, 2005, Integrated Accessibility Standards. If you require assistance in sending your resume due to a disability, please contact Human Resources directly.

We thank everyone for their interest in Polycultural; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity.