Employment Counsellor

 Who We Are

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton's original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women's and girl's voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

 YWork
for us?

At YWCA Hamilton, we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well-being through our values of Intersectional Feminism, People Centered, Belonging, Responsibility, and Partnerships. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

• On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
• Childcare discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package

If you're passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team

 Position Description

Job Code: 3-EST-2025 

Department: Employment Services

Reports to: Manager Employment Services

Location: Hamilton, ON

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours / week

Contract Start Date: TBD

Contract End Date: March 31st, 2026

Posting Date: October 24th, 2025

Supports job seekers by providing employment support and job training to individuals with self- identified barriers including but not limited to physical and mental disabilities, new immigrant and lack of job market experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Supports job seekers through resume building, interview preparation, training, and coaching, to develop the job seekers/clients' skill set and knowledge;

· Provides solutions-based 1-1 counselling in the areas of job search, job placement, career decision making, job maintenance, or other identified employment needs;

· Conducts intakes, including needs and risk assessments and creates employment action plans;

· Contracts, implements and follows-up as it pertains to employment/vocational goals and other client needs as prescribed by program guidelines;

· Develops action plan collaboratively with clients and support implementation;

· Determines financial need and arranges program financial supports as required;

· Negotiates and develops intervention agreements (training, self-employment, wage subsidies) as required;

· Refers client to external agencies as needed and tracks connections and results;

· Works collaboratively with the employer and community in the specialized, individualized planning to identify, secure and maintain employment;

· Negotiates and develops subsidized work placements;

· Assists employers with workplace accommodations including site visit, employer site reviews, and on-site job coaching;

· Assists employers and clients with job maintenance and retention;

· Research, and plans for targeted, individualized job placements that meet the needs of everyone;

· Identifies and assesses client's need for job coaching; assists clients in the development of appropriate work habits and attitudes for the workplace;

· Conducts marketing, intake and outreach activities, via community outreach to job seekers and employers, organizations and social networks to promote the program and recruit job seekers/clients and employers;

· Actively recruits employers and seeks out job placement opportunities, including identifying and contacting new prospective employers in industries/labor market that members have identified as area of interest;

· Persuades and influences employers to hire job seekers with barriers into the workforce, citing the importance of a diverse workforce and job development; assists with connections between service providers and employers for placement and training funding;

· Develops and monitors training plan and agreements with client and employer; acts as a liaison between client and employer and assists with interpersonal conflicts between the employer and client;

· Conducts on-going research of and outreach to employers, community resources and programs;

· Facilitates, develops and evaluates group/individual training with regards to pre-employment and job maintenance issues;

· Nurtures and maintains relationships with partners, employers and volunteers;

· Tracks job seeker/clients' progress and outcomes and documents all activities and provides accurate and timely reports to Manager;

· Reviews and evaluates results and recommendations from job seekers/clients and employers; shares program outcomes with Manager and stakeholders;

· Maintains accurate records/statistics and evaluation information related to the activities undertaken/outcomes achieved;

· Develops and implements appropriate program guidelines and procedures/templates for program to ensure consistency and excellence;

· Provides program reports to Manager as required;

· Attends industry related networking events and representing the YWCA on community committees;

· Understands and incorporates emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;

· Works safely, reports all workplace hazards and follows all YWCA Hamilton Health and Safety policies and procedures;

· Nurtures and forms meaningful internal and external working relationships and partnerships;

· Works extensive pieces of client's confidential data, ensuring confidentiality per privacy policies and YWCA Hamilton policies and procedures;

· Supports YWCA Hamilton mission, vision and values;

· Perform other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· Works 37.50 hours work week on site, including evenings and weekends as and when required.

 Qualifications

· Completion of 2 years' college in career development, human resources, social services or business, or equivalent;

· Minimum 2 years' experience in counselling, job coaching or human resources;

· Career Development Practitioner (CDP) is an asset;

· Must have experience working with Employment Ontario (EO) Services;

· Must have a current Mental Health First Aid and ASIST certifications or willingness to obtain at own cost;

· Must have current Emergency First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;

· Ability to work on-site with availability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required;

· Must provide a current Criminal Record Judicial Matters Police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;

· Demonstrate ability to learn and adapt to new online systems and emerging technologies;

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

· Must be able to lead and work from a feminist, anti-racist / anti-oppressive perspective for operations and strategic planning;

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

· Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and also work effectively in a team;

· Bilingual English/French or other languages an asset.

As part of YWCA Hamilton's commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Métis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. Please inform us of any accommodation requests.

Please Note: Personal information collected during the recruitment process will only be used for employment opportunities only in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Only applications from individuals eligible to work in Canada will be considered.

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Hamilton. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities