Employment Services Vocational Counsellor

**Vocational Counsellor, Employment Services**

**Job Title: Vocational Counsellor**

**Job Summary**: Supports clients to find and maintain meaningful paid employment. Implements employment plans. Supports and instructs clients to meet employment goals.
- Assess the safety, emotional, social, environmental needs of the client. Recognize, assess and respond to potential and emerging needs for crisis intervention and stabilization in community-settings. As required facilitate the development of behaviour management skills and strategies.
- Engage in the Discovery process to assess client needs, interests and skills related to ongoing learning and meaningful involvement in the community. This process may include interviews with the client, family members, support professionals and others. Documents assessment/Discovery and updates as required.
- Develops plans with clients to enable him/her to meet his/her goals in the areas of learning, job readiness and job retention.
- Provide client with education/training/support leading to learning and/or employment. Identify individualized goals, provide training and support and evaluate client performance and progress.
- Ensure that client actively participates in the planning process of his/her individualized service.
- Locate employers that are an appropriate match to the client’s interests and abilities.
- Maintain complete and organized documentation on the activities of the person served, progress made on goals and all other documentation.
- Foster positive working relationships with all stakeholders. Maintain effective communication with stakeholders including caregivers, family members, GHS program staff, CLBC and applicable community-based resources.
- May act as an advocate for the individual including attending meetings with the person served.
- Ensure that health and safety standards are maintained.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

**Reports to**:Manager, Learning and Employment Services

**Hours of Work**:35 hours. Monday - Friday

Must be flexible to work occasional weekend or evening hours.

**Required Qualifications**: Education, Training and Experience
- A diploma in a related human/social service field or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- At least one year recent experience in employment services field with DD clients.

**Skills and Abilities**:

- Demonstrated working knowledge of/ or training in current trends and best practices related to community-based employment.
- Demonstrated ability to assess, teach vocational skills and effectively support job seekers.
- Demonstrated job development skills and ability to work effectively with employers.
- Competent in the use of Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Good time and general management skills.
- Demonstrated teamwork skills.
- Good written communication skills, especially with regard to reporting and corresponding with employers and community partners.
- Ability to adapt communication style to reflect the specific needs of clients, parents, community workers and employers.

**Additional Information**:
Willing to use personal vehicle daily for work purposes.

**Wage rate**:$23.10/hour Starting wage

**Location**:Based out of the Garth Homer Society 4464 Markham Street location.

**Perks**:
**Union position with BCGEU under Community Living Services Collective Agreement.

*Great staff benefits and pension plan after 455 hours.

*Unlimited access to building fitness facilities.

*Partially paid onsite parking.

**Applications should be submitted to**: Mikaela Masiuk, Manager, Learning and Employment Services

This position is open to all qualified applicants

This position requires Union membership.

This position is open to all qualified individuals regardless of their gender identity.

GHS is committed to inclusive hiring practices, providing equitable opportunities for minorities including: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and LGBTQIA2S+ applicants.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: $23.10 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Flexible Language Requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

- Please state your post-secondary credential, name of institution, and year of graduation. *If this question is left blank or incomplete, your resume will not be reviewed.

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

**Experience**:

- employment services with individuals with diverse abilities: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Valid driver's license and personal vehicle (required)