Employment Specialist

Canadian Mental Health Association, York; Aurora; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking an Employment Specialist to support clients with mental illness in achieving their employment goals. This contract position requires collaboration with care teams and varies from office to community work. Ideal candidates possess a relevant degree and experience in social services, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to empowerment principles.

Benefits

HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan)

Robust Performance and Career Development program

Qualifications

• University Degree or College Diploma in the social service sector (preferred).
• Experience working with adults with mental illness.
• Valid Canadian driver’s license and insurance required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct employment assessments of clients' strengths and needs.
• Provide individual and group support to achieve client employment goals.
• Develop partnerships with employers for vocational opportunities.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Conflict Resolution

Education

University Degree or College Diploma in Social Services

Post-secondary education in Social Services/Mental Health sector

Job description

We are a team committed to our vision of mental health support for all. We offer an inclusive, innovative and high-performance work culture that helps us deliver transformational impact.The organization cares about the growth, safety and well-beingof employees and offers:

• HOOPP(Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan)
• Robust Performance and Career Development program

We are looking for Employment Specialists to join our team!

1 Contract, 35 hours per week ending March 31, 2026.

Location:The Employment Specialist will be working primarily in our Aurora Office (15150 Yonge Street, Aurora, ON L4G 1M2) & out within the community and will be required to travel within York Region & South Simcoe.

Salary: $52,015-55,723 per annum, *Candidate experience will be considered when determining the starting salary. This salary represents the first 3 steps in a 7-step salary band.

Job Profile:

The purpose of the Employment Support program is to support people with mental illness to meet their employment goals, which may include paid employment, volunteering, or education. Team members use bio-psychosocial, recovery, and empowerment approaches, including natural support wherever possible to enable clients to meet their goals.

The Employment Specialist works collaboratively with the client and their care team to assess, plan, develop, coordinate, and provide support. The care team may include employees of CMHA York Region, other community mental health agencies, natural supports, and other health and social service providers. The Employment Specialist is responsible for conducting employment assessments to determine the client’s strengths, needs, and interests in a range of education and work-related areas, providing individual and group support to facilitate the achievement of client goals, and developing partnerships with employers for vocational opportunities.

The Employment Specialist adheres to all organizational policies and procedures, relevant provincial laws, the regulatory requirements of her/his profession, and Empowerment/Recovery principles. This necessarily involves the demonstration of above-average interpersonal skills, problem-solving, anti-racist and anti-oppression practice, confidence in decision-making, relationship building, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation in their work with clients, co-workers, supervisors, and members of the broader community.

Qualifications:

• University Degree or College Diploma in the social service sector
• Post-secondary education in Social Services/Mental Health sector, and/or Career Development
  Registered Vocational Professional is preferred.
• Diploma or Degree plus experience in a community-based organization working with adults with mental illness in the community.
• Experience working with employers, transitional employment services, and employment readiness.
• Experience working in an adult mental health setting related to employment rehabilitation.
• Familiarity with legislation related to employment, i.e., Employment Standards, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Human Rights Code, WSIB.
• Familiarity with Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works employment supports.
• Familiarity with the Ontario Mental Health Act and mental health reform principles, the Substitute Decisions Act, and the Health Care Consent Act and PHIPA requirements.
• Ability to apply Recovery principles and empowerment-oriented philosophies and practices in work with clients.
• Functions in accordance with relevant Codes of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
• Flexible schedule, including some evening and weekend and on-call rotation.
• Must possess a valid Canadian driver’s license and have a minimum $1,000,000.00 (1 million) third-party liability insurance and proof of insurance coverage of personal vehicle and ability to transport clients.
• A satisfactory and current Vulnerable Sector Screening.
• A second language reflecting the local community is preferred.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to the job. This information is not constructed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in the job.

This position reports to Manager, People & Teams, in the Employment Program.

Working Conditions: Office work, community settings, meetings in clients’ home and travel with clients. Periodic / scheduled evening to accommodate client's needs.

Disclaimer: In keeping with mental health reform, best practices, funding and direction this position may later require knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions not noted here.

To request this posting in an alternate format or to request accommodation in the application process, email [e-mail]

Application Procedure: If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit https://cmha-yr.on.ca/careers/ and search for Employment Specialist Job Posting, Click on the “Apply Now” button and proceed to upload your cover letter and resume.

Complete the application form and submit the following:

• Cover letter with 300 words or less and tell us why you would want this role and why you should be considered for the position (PDF or Word)
• Resume (PDF or Word) (applications without resumes will not be considered)

CMHA-YRSS is dedicated to promoting employment equity and dismantling obstacles to employment for marginalized communities. CMHA-YRSS supports the journey to mental wellness, and we welcome applicants with lived experience of mental illness. In acknowledgment of the systemic underrepresentation faced by Black, Indigenous, racialized peoples, and those living with disabilities, this opportunity has been developed based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We therefore extend invitations for applications from the following groups:

• Racialized Persons
• Persons living with Disabilities

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.