Newcomer Employment Counsellor

YWCA Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA Hamilton seeks a Job Coach to support job seekers through skill-building, assessments, and employment plans. The ideal candidate will have experience in counseling and a strong understanding of settlement services. They will provide individualized support and facilitate workshops, making a meaningful impact in the community.

Benefits

On-the-job training and professional development opportunities

Staff fitness, childcare and recreation discounts

Opportunities to get involved in our community

A competitive total rewards package

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience in counseling or job coaching.
• Familiarity with settlement services for newcomers is essential.
• Bilingual English/French or knowledge of other languages is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Supports job seekers with resume building and interview preparation.
• Conducts assessments and develops employment action plans.
• Facilitates workshops on employability skills.

Skills

Communication

Counseling

Job Coaching

Cultural Competence

Education

2 years college in career development, human resources, or social services

Job description

Who We Are

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton’s original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women’s and girl’s voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

Position Description

Posting Code: 4-MSI-2025

Department: Employment and Training Services

Reports to: Manager, Immigrant & Settlement Services

Location: Hamilton, ON

Hours of Work: 30 hours per week

Contract Start Date: TBD

Contract End Date: August 1, 2025

Posting Date: June 11, 2025

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Carry an active caseload of 25 program participants
• Supports job seekers through resume building, interview preparation, training, and coaching, to develop the job seekers/clients’ skill set and knowledge;
• Provides solutions-based 1-1 counselling in the areas of job search, job placement, career decision making, job maintenance, or other identified employment needs;
• Conducts intakes, including needs and risk assessments and creates employment action plans;
• Contracts, implements and follows-up as it pertains to employment/vocational goals and other client needs as prescribed by program guidelines;
• Develops action plan collaboratively with clients and support implementation;
• Creates and facilitates monthly workshops on a variety of job seeking and employability skills topics;
• Refers client to external agencies as needed and tracks connections and results;
• Assists employers and clients with job maintenance and retention;
• Researches, and plans for targeted, individualized job placements that meet the needs of each individual;
• Identifies and assesses client’s need for job coaching; assists clients in the development of appropriate work habits and attitudes for the workplace;
• Educates employers to hire job seekers with barriers into the workforce, citing the importance of a diverse workforce and job development; assists with connections between service providers and employers for placement and training funding; Nurtures and maintains relationships with community partners;
• Tracks job seeker/clients’ progress and outcomes and documents all activities and provides accurate and timely reports to Manager;
• Reviews and evaluates results and recommendations from job seekers/clients; shares program outcomes with Manager and stakeholders;
• Maintains accurate records/statistics and evaluation information related to the activities undertaken/outcomes achieved;
• Implements appropriate program guidelines and procedures/templates for program to ensure consistency and excellence;
• Provides program reports to Manager as required;
• Attends industry related networking events and representing the YWCA on community committees;
• Understands and incorporates emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;
• Maintains client’s confidential data, ensuring confidentiality per privacy policies and YWCA Hamilton policies and procedures;
• Supports YWCA Hamilton mission, vision and values;
• Perform other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasional evening and weekend work is required

Qualifications

• Completion of 2 years’ college in career development, human resources, social services or business, or equivalent;
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in counselling, job coaching or human resources;
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with immigrants, experience working with youth an asset;
• Knowledge of settlement services and issues for newcomers and experience working with immigrants;
• Career Development Practitioner (CDP) is an asset;
• Must have a current certificate in Cashier/Customer Service, Safe Food Handling, Smart Serve or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Must have current Emergency First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Must be able to work from a feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive perspective;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Must provide a current Criminal Record Judicial Matters Police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Experience working with Career Cruising, Strong Interest Inventory, BESI and Sustainable Livelihoods Model an asset;
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekends;
• Bilingual English/French or other languages an asset.

YWork for us?

At YWCA Hamilton , we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well-being through our values of Inclusivity, Equity, Community, Self-determination, and Accountability. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

• On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
• Staff fitness, childcare and recreation discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team!

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Hamilton.

As part of YWCA Hamilton’s commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Métis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. Please inform us of any accommodation requests.

Please Note : All applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Personal information collected during the recruitment process will only be used for employment opportunities only in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Only applications from individuals eligible to work in Canada will be considered.