Vocational Counsellor-adult Employment Services

**Closing Date**: Until filled

**Start Date**: As soon as possible

**Job Summary**:
Supports adults with developmental disabilities in areas related to obtaining and retaining employment and meeting related employment and skill goals. Assesses clients’ interest, skills, abilities, and work experience. Finds and negotiates employment placements. Supports a caseload of 12-15 job seekers in various phases of service (Discovery, Job Preparation and Development, Job Maintenance).

**Wage/Salary**: $27.54 hourly, plus 4.2% in lieu of statutory holidays as per collective agreement

**Hours of Work**:$27.54 hourly, plus 4.2% in lieu of statutory holidays as per collective agreement

**Location**:Community based, throughout CRD

**Hours of Work**: 24.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday between hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Completes intake assessments (Discovery) by acquiring historical and current information regarding person being served. This process may include interviews with person served, parents/caregivers, professionals and employers.
- Creates/follows an Employment Plan based on evaluating individual strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences of the person served. Identifies barriers to employment, goals for support, and strategies for goal attainment.
- Ensures that persons served and/or their parents(s)/caregivers(s), Community Living British Columbia, and other community professionals as applicable, actively participate in developing an Individual Service Plan (ISP)
- Contacts potential employers and finds employment opportunities that match the interests, skills, and abilities of the clients (Job Development)
- Provides clients with information on opportunities that are compatible with their interests, skills, and abilities.
- Monitors, reviews, and evaluates progress made by the person served and modifies programming as required.
- Acts as an advocate for the individual including attending meetings with the person served.
- Identifies and makes referrals to community resources to support the individual’s broader community inclusion needs.
- Recognizes, assesses, and develops strategies to manage potential and emerging crisis situations.
- Liaises with other agencies, professionals, government officials, and the community as necessary.
- Maintains complete, legible, and organized electronic and paper documentation on the activities of the person served, progress made on goals established in the ISP, and all other documentation required by the program.
- Meets timelines for the submission of all documentation according to program and CARF Accreditation Standards.
- Maintains best practice standards as identified by Thrive Social Services Society Policy and Procedure’ Manual and ‘Health and Safety’ Handbook.
- Works with team members and Program Manager to address global needs of the program and the persons served.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor - this may include supporting clients to participate in community inclusion activities or supporting clients to increase independence.

**Education, Training, Skills, and Experience**:

- An undergraduate degree in a human services field or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least two years direct program delivery experience in the Community Living sector; or at least one-year direct service delivery experience in supported employment.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of Supported and Customized employment models of service.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of community supports and services available to individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices related to Community Living Services.
- Knowledge of the mandate of Community Living British Columbia is required.
- Current certification in Occupational First Aid Level 1 (OFA).
- Good written and verbal reporting skills.
- Proficient interpersonal communication skills including active listening, two-way communication, and the acceptance and delivery of feedback.

**Additional Information**:
Direct delivery of program activities may require a moderate level of physical fitness to carry out the duties of this position (walking, standing, bending and lifting). A valid Class 5 driver’s license and use of a vehicle in good working order with business insurance, and able to transport clients, are required to carry out the duties of the position.

**How to Apply**:
**Job Type**: Part-time

Pay: $27.54 per hour

Expected hours: 24.5 per week

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Disability insurance
- On-site parking
- Vision care

Flexible language requirement:

- French not required

Work Location: In person