Pre-employment Support Program

**Position Summary**

Under the direction of the employment services supervisor, the PESP Case Worker provides culturally informed, education options, information, and assistance to clients on all aspects of employment, education, training, and life career planning. Clients will range from 19-24 and 25-64 years of age. This role involves a hands-on approach to assisting their clients in exploring careers and finding employment, including building
relationships with potential employers. The PESP Case Worker will also engage in community relations activities to supporting clients and the community.

**This is a term contract position with an end date of March 31st, 2025.**

**Work that Matters**

Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island Band) is located 1 kilometer from Agassiz, BC on the beautiful Fraser River, 120 km east of Vancouver. We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant and resilient community. Our work spans a diverse range of services including housing, education, health, wellness, early childhood development, community infrastructure, and cultural vitalization. By joining our team, you will be part of an organization that values First Nations knowledge, promotes self-advocacy, and strives to create a holistic and culturally safe environment for all community members.

**Become a part of our team and help us continue making meaningful impacts every day.**

We’re hiring | Facebook | LinkedIn | For Our Culture

Benefits and perks
- Extended health and dental benefits.
- Accrued vacation and sick time.
- Pension plan with matching employer contributions.
- Access to internal training programs, professional development, and skill enhancement.
- Collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.
- Equitable hourly rates.
- Casual dress code.

**What you’ll do**
- Conduct one-on-one employment counselling and assisting the client to create their Mandatory Action Plan (MAP).
- Regularly update client profiles to track progress, adjustments to the Mandatory Action Plan (MAP), and any new barriers or milestones in their employment journey.
- Interview clients to obtain employment history, educational/training background, and career goals.
- Identify barriers to employment and assist clients with job readiness skills, job search strategies, formatting resumes and cover letters, skills development, preparing for job interviews and transition to work.
- Conduct appropriate referrals for clients to secure assistance in drug and alcohol issues, mental health, rehabilitation, financial aid or skills development training.
- Prepare and facilitate skills training workshops.
- Schedule service delivery to participating communities (may require overnight travel).
- Research and collect Labor market information for clients.
- Maintain a job bank of clients to refer to casual Labor positions within the communities.
- Liaise with local employers to assist with recruiting and maintaining aboriginal employment.
- Market employment and training programs and services and provide outreach assistance.
- Prepare reports for supervisor, manager, and funding agencies.
- Assist with typing forms, letters, data entry, faxing, photocopying, scheduling, and confirming appointments.

**Other Duties**
- Additional responsibilities as needed to support the community and uphold our shared values.
- Other duties or responsibilities as assigned by your Manager, Director, Chief Administrative Officer, or Chief & Council.

**What you bring**

**Qualifications**
- Post-secondary education in Career Development, life skills or a related field. Other forms of postsecondary education and training, including teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, will be considered.
- At least 2 years of relevant experience working within Indigenous communities, focusing on employment services.
- Experience working with Indigenous communities and understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contemporary issues.

**Cultural Competency**:

- Understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contemporary issues.
- Understanding of intergenerational trauma and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and communities

**Preferred**
- Lived experience as a member of a First Nations community.
- Knowledge and understanding of Seabird Island’s culture, traditions, teachings, community dynamics.
- Ability to respond quickly and professionally to community or colleague needs and inquiries.
- Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to format and facilitate employment, training, and education related workshop activities.
- Able to research and write funding proposals and pursue other funding opportunities from private and public sources.

**Working / Special Conditions**
- Initial and ongoing commitment to the values and guidelines of Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island Band), including our policies, procedures, standards of practice, and laws, is essential. This commitment supports our collective work, the community, and the responsibilities of this role.