Career Counsellor/Job Developer - Lighthouse Project (Contract until March 31, 2027)

YES believes that employment is empowerment and the cornerstone of safe and healthy communities. YES leads the Canadian youth sector with innovative programs that empower disadvantaged and vulnerable youth to become self-sufficient contributing members of society.

The Position: Career Counsellor/Job Developer – Contract (until March 31, 2027)

Location: 555 Richmond Street West

Kindly note that we are temporarily operating via a hybrid model of in-office and remote work

Summary – The Position

Reporting to the Manager, the Career Counsellor/ Job Developer position provides employment planning, preparation and job development services for youth and adults who are experiencing mental health issues. The client demographic is typically “at-risk” from vulnerable or priority neighbourhoods. This position is responsible for building partnerships with employers in the GTA to create placement opportunities to facilitate work experience, and full-time employment opportunities at the conclusion of the program for youth. The most important component of the position is the ability to find high-quality placements for clients in positions related to their experience and ensure clients maintain their placements.

The Candidate

Your energy and enthusiasm are boundless and you enjoy and thrive in a fast-paced environment. You are detail oriented, creative and an excellent communicator. You want to work with employers and youth to create employment and apprenticeship opportunities. You are driven and welcome the opportunity to aspire to measurable targets. You thrive in a professional environment and possess post secondary education/degree and relevant work experience.

Qualifications

• University degree and three years’ experience in job development and/or sales/marketing and recruitment
• Ability to work in a performance-based system with a proven track record of meeting targets and deadlines
• Ability to work in a team and to establish rapport with employers, clients and co-workers
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment
• Knowledge of the Toronto labour market, industry trends and apprenticeships
• Knowledge and understanding of general YES services and the target group served
• Comfortable working with at-risk youth and persons of diverse backgrounds
• Multicultural sensitivity and the ability to work in a multicultural / multiracial organization
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, Internet, email, and database management

Specific Duties

Job Development:

• Outreach to multiple employers through research, cold calling and email to secure high-quality placements and hit the targets for placement on a weekly and monthly basis
• Maintain a diverse job bank, keeping all information current and well organized
• Develop training plans in conjunction with employers for the duration of all training placements
• Negotiate training contracts and stipends, ensuring all forms are signed prior to placement start dates
• Market YES services to employers and create job trials, job shadowing, mentorship and job placement/opportunities by: mail-outs, cold calls, telephone solicitation and any other method deemed appropriate.
• Monitor and maintain regular contact with employers to encourage successful participant job retention
• Conduct regular evaluations with all YES clients and employers to ensure excellent customer service

Career Counselling:

• Assess the client’s skills and abilities, employment interest and barriers to successful employment to determine employment needs and develop a plan of action identifying level of support.
• Clarify employment, training or career goals by exploring local labour market, education and training opportunities/resources, including apprenticeship opportunities.
• Provide orientation to YES services and programs and make referrals to other community services as required.
• Develop employment opportunities and make direct placements with employers.
• Assist clients to find employment on their own.
• Determine need, suitability and readiness for subsidized on-the-job training.
• Follow up with clients, referring agencies and employers.
• Conduct presentations to agencies and the community at large on behalf of YES.
• Facilitate regular group workshops in all areas of job search including, but not limited to resumes, cover letters, job search strategies and interview techniques.
• Adhere to and maintain outcomes target as set by YES and ensure high quality customer service.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Adheres to all YES policies and procedures and ensures confidentially is maintained on client, personnel, financial and agency matters;
• Represents YES at all times in a professional manner;
• Participates in regular supervision meetings;
• Attends all staff meetings;
• Works cooperatively with other team members;
• Carries out any other duties, as required.

Starting Salary: $65,161.20 to start, increase after 6 months to $65,865.02 (4-Month Probation)

Position: OPSEU Bargaining Unit Position; full-time contract until March 31, 2027

Hours of Work: Monday to Thursday: 9 – 5. Friday: 9-4.00

If interested, please send cover letter and resume to gengel@yes.on.ca indicating the position title in the subject line of your email.

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under the YES Accessibility policy. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

We thank all applicants; however only those selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone or other inquiries please.

YES is an equal opportunity employer.