Employment Specialist

Job Title: Employment Specialist

Company: John Howard Society of Victoria

Location: In Person, Victoria, BC

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Work hours: 40 hour per week, Mon - Fri, 8 am to 4:30 pm

Salary: $32.45 - $34.42 per hour

Benefits: Employee Engagement Activities, Organization Events, Dental care, Disability insurance, Employee assistance program, Extended health care, Life insurance, Paid time off, RRSP match

Who We Are:

John Howard Society of Victoria is a fast paced growing, dynamic and innovative social service organization that strives to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Our goal is to help individuals achieve greater independence by providing support with housing, life-skills, education, employment, and community-based services.

At John Howard Society of Victoria we come from various backgrounds and share a common goal of wanting to make things better in our community, for our community. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that adapts to your needs.

Our Vision, Mission, Goals, and Values:

Our Vision: A safe, healthy, and inclusive community for all

Our Mission: We contribute to a safer, stronger and more sustainable communities by supporting people to achieve greater independence

Our Goals:

Service Excellence: Improve the quality of life of the people we service through more relevant, accessible and sustainable services.

Organizational Sustainability: Realize a resilient operational and governance model that supports JHSV to consistently serve the end-to-end client journey.

Capacity: Increase our capacity to work effectively and efficiently as a team.

Our Values:

Our Service Commitments (How we provide services to clients) – Dignity, Advocacy, Empowerment

Team Values (How we work together) – Collaboration, Accountability, Resiliency

What We Offer:

Competitive Benefits: Enjoy paid vacation, sick and personal time, health and dental plans, long-term disability, critical illness and RRSP

Supportive Environment: Our Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities are designed to help you succeed both personally and professionally. We invest in our employees' growth through training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.

Engaging Culture: Be part of a friendly team that values your input! With numerous employee engagements, you can make your voice heard and contribute to meaningful change for our clients and our community.

Employee Engagement: We often organize team and social gatherings to strengthen relationships and foster camaraderie to create a supportive network among colleagues.

Impactful Work: Employees at JHS Victoria are driven by a shared mission to make a positive difference in the community. Engaging in meaningful work enhances job satisfaction and connects team members to a greater purpose.

About the Program:

Employment program supports persons with self-identified disabilities who are experiencing barriers to employment. The objective of the program is to prepare participants to acquire new skills and enhance existing skills, so they find long term success in finding and keeping good jobs and contributing to healthy, inclusive society. Participants receive the skills and support to help in preparing for, finding, and keep good jobs or becoming self-employed, or advancing in their careers, or taking on new or greater responsibilities.

Position Summary:

The Position reports to Manager, Employment Programs

We are seeking a dedicated Employment Specialist to join our team. This role involves recruiting clients, assessing their skills, and providing comprehensive support throughout the job search process, including career coaching and workshop facilitation. The ideal candidate will collaborate with community partners to secure job placements and manage client records. Strong communication and relationship-building skills, along with experience working with vulnerable populations, are essential for promoting successful employment transitions and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards. This is an in-person role with no opportunity to work-from home.

What You'll Be Doing:

Program Coordination and Reporting (40%)

Maintain client files and records according to accreditation standards for funding compliance.

Prepare reports and compile program statistics while tracking and forecasting financial obligations.

Attend program planning and review meetings, liaising with external stakeholders for networking and advocacy.

Collaborate with the employment team to develop strategies that enhance program outcomes and maintain effective databases for tracking metrics.

Complete corrective action plans to ensure desired outcomes are met.

Participate in meetings and workshops aimed at program performance and continuous improvement.

Collect and analyze data related to program outcomes, including demographics, employment rates, and retention statistics.

Adhere to policies and procedures, assist with quality assurance, and perform other duties as assigned by the Manager.

Client Recruitment and Assessment (30%)

Recruit clients by liaising with community services, agencies, and training institutions to enhance referrals.

Interview clients, prepare case histories, and assess eligibility for services in collaboration with community providers (e.g., Work BC).

Conduct assessments to identify clients' skills, interests, employment history, career goals, and settlement needs.

Facilitate individual employment counseling sessions to gather information, identify challenges, and support problem-solving.

Employment Support (30%)

Prepare clients for job searches, selection, and hiring processes, offering assistance with career development, job readiness, and interview skills.

Plan, develop, and facilitate employment workshops.

Create marketing materials, including brochures and public service announcements.

Maintain a network of contacts with external service providers and manage inventories of community resources.

Collaborate with employers and community partners to facilitate job placements and accompany participants to interviews for support.

Conduct regular follow-ups with clients to ensure job retention and address any emerging challenges.

Engage with community organizations and employers to promote successful employment transitions.

Perform other duties and projects as required and not limited to the responsibilities as mentioned.

*The assigned percentage of job responsibilities may vary based on organizational and operational priorities.

What We’re Looking For:

Qualifications:

Diploma in Human Services or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum of 2 years of experience in career development, human resources, or recruitment, or an equivalent combination of education and training.

Background in working with vulnerable populations, particularly those with mental health issues, addictions, or developmental disabilities.

Proficient in verbal and written English at a professional level, with excellent communication and interpersonal ability.

High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, SharePoint).

Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.

Criminal Record Check.

Emergency First Aid certification is an asset.

Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information effectively and possess strong integrity.

Skills and Competencies:

Proven ability to build relationships at all levels, including presenting information to multicultural groups and providing one-on-one career coaching.

Ability to assist service users in matters related to workplace safety or employment standards violations, collaborating with service providers like the Employment Standards Branch and WorkSafe BC, is an asset.

Strong ability to analyze information and data to develop strategic plans that drive outcomes.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within teams, including inter-departmental and community service providers.

Intermediate to advanced proficiency in MS Office, internet, and email applications. Experience using social media for client recruitment and communication is preferred.

Experience in construction, horticulture, or hospitality industry is an asset.

Highly motivated, action-oriented, and driven.

Strong analytical skills are essential.

Knowledge:

Understanding the needs and issues faced by job seekers in Canada.

Familiarity with relevant community resources, programs, and services.

Awareness of Canadian employment legislation and policies (e.g., Employment Standards Act, WorkSafe BC).

Familiarity with the Canadian post-secondary education system and existing employment services.

Knowledge of adult learning models, the career decision-making process, and assessment of pre-employment barriers.

Who You Are:

Empathic: Ability to understand and relate to the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

Strong Communicator: Proficient in verbal and written communication, facilitating workshops, and presenting to diverse groups.

Relationship-Builder: Proven ability to establish and maintain connections with clients, employers, and community partners.

Integral: Commitment to managing confidential information with a high level of trustworthiness.

Self-Motivated: Highly motivated and action-oriented, demonstrating a proactive approach to client support and program improvement.

Analytical Thinker: Strong analytical skills for data interpretation and strategic planning.

Collaborator: Ability to work effectively within teams and with various stakeholders to achieve common goals.

Adaptable: Flexible in responding to the changing needs of clients and the organization.

Culturally Competent: Awareness and sensitivity to multicultural issues and diverse backgrounds.

Resilient: Capability to handle challenges and setbacks while maintaining a positive attitude

Creating Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Communities at JHS Victoria:

At John Howard Society of Victoria, we proudly embrace the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and we’re excited to invite applicants from all backgrounds to join our team! We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and we are committed to providing the support needed to ensure equal opportunities for success throughout the hiring process. John Howard Society of Victoria will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email hr@jhsvic.ca if you have a need for any accommodation. We’re here to help!

Ready to Make a Positive Impact?

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in people’s lives and meet the qualifications for this role, we’d love to hear from you!

Please submit your application using the link - Employment Specialist at John Howard Society of Victoria. Submission deadline is August 07, 2025 and we’ll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. So don’t wait—apply today and take the next step in your journey with us!