Employment Counsellor - Markham, Job ID #8150

JVS Toronto; Markham; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Markham is seeking an Employment Counsellor to support vulnerable youth aged 15 to 30. Responsibilities include providing customer service, conducting assessments, and facilitating workshops. Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling or Social Services, and have knowledge of legislation relevant to youth in conflict with the law. The role offers a 1-year contract with a possibility of renewal and a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

Group benefit plan

Employee assistance program

Opportunities for continuous learning

Generous vacation package

Pension plan

Paid sick time

Wellness initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or related degree with 3-5 years of counselling experience.
• Strong knowledge of legislation relevant to youth in conflict with the law.
• Ability to assist youth with innovative approaches to achieve employment goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service and assess needs of vulnerable youth.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure smooth services for youth participants.
• Conduct intakes and program activities in the community.

Skills

Customer service

Counselling

Communication

Community engagement

Job readiness skills

Problem solving

Knowledge of labour market trends

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling or Social Services

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

Employment Counsellor, Job ID #8150

YouthReach & Integrated Employment Services / 35 hours per week / 1 year contract with possibility of renewal / Starting ASAP / Markham

Who is JVS

JVS Toronto believes that every individual has opportunities for employment. Since 1947, JVS Toronto has been giving the power of employment and improved learning serving 10,000 new individuals annually through career, employment, and assessment services in Toronto and York Region. We also help businesses recruit the workforce they need to be successful. JVS Toronto is a registered charity and receives generous funding to provide most of our services without charge. Learn about the work we do: www.jvstoronto.org.

Our employees benefit from a group benefit plan, a friendly work environment, monthly wellness initiatives, access to an employee assistance program (EAP), opportunities for continuous learning and a variety of corporate discounts. JVS Toronto also offers permanent employees a generous vacation package, a pension plan in addition to paid sick time, family care and wellness days.

Program Overview

YouthReach connects youth ages 15 to 30 with community services, schools, and businesses to help them achieve their goals. This position supports vulnerable youth in the City of Toronto, including those who are facing barriers to employment or progression in their lives due to past or present experiences of conflict with the law. The program assists youth by providing meaningful opportunities to enhance their workplace skills and achieve personal success through employment, accessing services, or enrolling in education or training.

The JVS Integrated Employment Services (IES), funded by MLITSD and managed by WCG, provides employment services to unemployed individuals of all ages, financial backgrounds and skills to help them gain and retain employment within their field or a related field. To achieve its goal, the program provides a range of services including one‑on‑one employment counselling, employment workshops, job development/placement services and job retention supports. In addition, IES collaborates with other programs to ensure efficient and smooth operations through streamlining client referrals to appropriate services.

We are looking for someone who will:

• Provide excellent customer service by helping vulnerable youth clarify needs and determine actions/solutions through assessment, case management, and counselling
• Collaborate with both YouthReach and IES teams to ensure smooth services to youth participants
• Conduct intakes and Common Assessments, administer program activities both in the office and offsite in the community
• Provide individual employment counselling and case management duties, including information and referral services, monitor client progress with ongoing follow‑up; produce statistical documentation
• Conduct extensive outreach to recruit eligible clients and ensure program targets are met
• Prepare and facilitate employability workshops on occasion; conduct program information sessions for community partners and prospective clients
• Attend external meetings and join community network groups; develop ongoing partnerships with youth‑serving organizations and establish consistent referral pathways
• Carry out job matching activities to connect youth with employment opportunities or education/training; liaise with Job Developers for employer insights and potential job placements
• Develop service plans that demonstrate the coordination of appropriate interventions to support employment goals; apply a variety of counselling techniques that encourages ongoing youth engagement
• Collaborate with other JVS programs and community services to enhance client employment pathways and service plans
• Maintain complete, updated client files, case notes, and documentation on a Salesforce database
• Have knowledge of current local labour market trends, community services, and resources across the City of Toronto

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling or Social Services with placement experience, or a related degree with 3‑5 years of counselling experience. International degrees must be evaluated for Canadian equivalency
• Strong knowledge and understanding of current legislation relevant to youth who are in conflict with the law and the Youth Criminal Justice System
• An understanding of barriers to employment success and knowledge of current local labor market trends, community services and resources
• Ability to take innovative and resourceful approaches to assist youth with achieving their employment goals
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs of vulnerable youth with an ability to develop and maintain relationships with young people
• Possess current working knowledge of employment‑related issues and learning approaches to support youth with developing job readiness skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate with a varied client population and effectively deal with a variety of professional and psychosocial challenges
• Sensitivity and tact to deal effectively with youth from different backgrounds and life circumstances and engage them in the employment counselling process
• Strong customer service skills and experience taking initiative; demonstrated problem‑solving and decision making skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; experience with writing reports to agency standards
• Computer literate, proficient in Microsoft Office; ability to learn systems used by the agency (e.g. Salesforce)
• A clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check is required for this position

Our ideal candidate will also have:

• Employment Ontario knowledge and exposure
• Certification from an organization such as VRA Canada or ICCI
• A valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a vehicle would be an asset, as local travel is required

Qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume & covering letter here. JVS Toronto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require accommodation in order to submit your application, please contact HR. JVS Toronto embraces diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest in our agency, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.