Employment Counsellor, Every Bite Matters

360°kids has been a leader in the delivery of innovative support services for over 30 years as we work to improve the lives of homeless and at-risk youth and families in York Region. We are a vitally important community agency serving all of York Region. At 360°kids, we provide a unique continuum of care approach with a range of programs and services that are essential to the health and well-being of youth and that are proven strategies for helping to keep youth off the streets by providing safe housing options.

**LOCATION**: Travel throughout York Region

**REPORTS TO**: Team Lead, Every Bite Matters

Every Bite Matters is a youth focused training and social inclusion employment program that addresses the many needs within the community; it is a food industry job training program, providing unemployed and out of school youth the skills and opportunities to successfully enter this sector of the working world. Also, Every Bite Matters will address the social isolation that many in the elderly population are facing, providing opportunities for youth and the elderly to connect over a nutritious meal. Every Bite Matters will educate both populations on healthy eating, nutrition and Canada’s Food Guide.

**Responsibilities**:

- Marketing, outreach, and promotion of program to community youth serving agencies, employers and community at large
- Develop and facilitate appropriate program materials for at-risk youth including hard and soft skills for employment as well as life skills to maintain and sustain employment.
- Act as a positive role model, mentor and support for youth as they learn new skills in through development and co
- facilitation of pre-employment workshops and job coaching throughout work placement.
- Assist youth in accessing various community programs/supports as appropriate based on needs and barriers.
- Work alongside program staff to ensure job placement opportunities reflect youth needs, abilities, employment goals, and overall suitability.
- Conduct program intakes, determine eligibility and makes recommendations based on youth needs.
- Assess the employment needs and barriers of youth enrolled in the program and assist and provide support in the development of youth action plans based on Case Management needs; co-ordinate youth action plan activities, monitor progress, and keep client case notes.
- Relationship building and assessment of youth to ensure successful job matching.
- Prepare placement contracts for youth and employers and ensure timely collection of paystubs for employer incentive reimbursement.
- Monitoring job placements, liaise with employers, youth, and other team members regarding progress
- Act as a support to employers and handle any questions or concerns that arise.
- Represents the organization and program as required with various aspects of the community including agency partners, employers, donors, coworkers, volunteers, schools, clients, and family members.
- Complete all mandatory recording and reporting including daily documentation and statistical data collection.
- Participates in regular supervision meetings and performance appraisal meetings on a semiannual basis. Attends training workshops and relevant conferences that pertain to the role.
- Deliver programming/services in accordance with 360°kids’ Strategic Plan and funding expectations.
- Ensure key relationships with community partners and others having impact on the program are sustained.
- Work with 360˚staff to ensure program(s) success while positively contributing to organizational needs.
- Other duties as required.

Working Conditions
- Transport of clients as the need arises, maintain adequate liability coverage ($2,000,000) at all times on personal vehicle.
- Contact with at risk and homeless youth, which may include working under unpredictable circumstances and with potentially challenging clients.
- Contact with seniors in the community, which may include working under unpredictable circumstances and with potentially challenging clients.
- Work in 360°kids location at Home Base, Richmond Hill Community Hub and Newmarket Employment Hub as well as a variety of public locations in the York Region Community.

Physical Requirements

Standing, sitting at regular intervals. Incumbent is able to shift position at regular intervals. Occasional lifting of objects up to 20 lbs.

Direct Reports

N/A

**QUALIFICATIONS OR SKILLS REQUIRED**:

- Post-secondary education in mental health/social services field of study (e.g. Child and Youth Work, Addictions and Mental Health, Social Worker, Social Service Worker, Psychology) or the equivalent combination of education and experience working with youth.
- Minimum of one year Employment Counselling and/or Program Facilitation experience.
- Experience working with vulnerable or street involved youth/youth with mental health/addictions barriers
- Counselling experience in terms of life skills and behaviour management
- Exceptional relationship building ski