Employment Specialist

Position: Employment Specialist

Program: Kootenays WorkBC

Position Details: In-person position at 35 hours per week, starting as soon as possible until March 31, 2027

Location: Kootenays

Posting Date: November 4, 2025

Closing Date: November 18, 2025

Why choose us

Join ISSofBC, one of the largest and first newcomer and refugee agencies in Canada. As well as being a values-driven organization, we pride ourselves on diversity, inclusion, innovation, and transparency. You can make lifelong friends and connections when you join our family. What's more, we also have multiple locations and offer flexible working and shorter working weeks than most organizations.

Summary:

Reporting to the WorkBC Senior Manager and Regional Contract Manager – WorkBC Kootenays, assists eligible job seekers who are employed or underemployed, to achieve labour market attachment by performing such activities as assessing employment readiness and eligibility, supporting client(s) to identify realistic employment options and develop realistic action plans, become job ready, and successfully transition to sustainable employment.

The ISSofBC position will be working as part of a multi-agency team within the WorkBC Kootenays Catchment operated by Kootenay Career Development Society to connect job seekers with progressive employment, training opportunities, and holistic support.

About Kootenay WorkBC:

WorkBC Centres support employment services to all unemployed or precariously employed B.C. citizens legally eligible to work in B.C. WorkBC Centres offer employment services including job search resources, skills assessment, training, work experience placement and online services. Sustainable employment is the key goal of the program.

WorkBC Employment Services provide support not only for unemployed British Columbians but also for people who are underemployed or in a job where their hours are not stable, and for people whose work is not in line with their skills. Anyone in this situation will be able to connect with WorkBC to access services such as skills upgrading, self-employment, and work experience programs, as well as obtain assistance in finding a better job.

How You Will Make a Difference:

• Assist clients to become job ready by performing such activities as: arranging for further education or up-grading, researching funding sources or funding alternatives and preparing education funding applications for approval.
• Advise clients and employers of wage subsidy information and placement terms. Subsequently follows up with clients and employers to ensure education, work experience, and employment placements and agreements are established and maintained. Monitors the quality of client placements.
• Completes and maintains client related records, documentation, and reports.
• Evaluates individual's background, skills, and interest and matches potential job openings or training programs.
• Administer Client Needs Assessments using variety of assessments tools, as required to support a realistic action plan towards employment.
• Monitor, revise (if needed) and support Client with Return-to-Work Action Plans.
• Assist Clients to access interventions such as Short-Term Certificate Training, Essential Skills Training, Occupational Skills Training, Short Duration Training, Self-Employment Orientation, Self-Employment Short-Term Training, Wage Subsidies, Job Creation Programs, Job Search Supports, Job Supports and any other Applicable WorkBC funding clients may be eligible for.
• Connect clients with community resources, job placement agencies, and training programs.
• Support Clients in completing Skills Training packages to connect with education/training.
• Understand and follow all policy and procedures related to WorkBC Case Management and stay current with updates and changes in policy.
• Document Client progress and milestone through the Integrated Case Management (ICM) database. Maintain accurate and up-to-date case files, documenting client interactions, action plans and employment outcomes.
• Assist clients in overcoming personal and systemic barriers to employment, such as language proficiency or credential recognition.
• Ensure the consistency for government audits and work within government compliance regulations.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance team and the Manager to ensure accuracy in data entry service delivery.
• Provides career planning and job search assistance, including developing job search-related documents like resumes, cover letters, references, e-portfolios, and portfolios
• Facilitates, with the client, the development of a realistic action plan for employment readiness, cultural competency and/or skills upgrading identified to meet labour market needs for meaningful employment.
• Builds and maintains the client commitment to and engagement with the action plan
• Provides individual career coaching and counselling including referrals to needed community services. Remote service delivery (on-line) as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What You Bring:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in marketing, business administration, community social services supplemented by a minimum of three (3) years recent related experience OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience acceptable to the employer.
• Must pass a criminal record background check.
• A second language is an asset.

What Makes You a Change Maker:

• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral English at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively and courteously with clients, staff and the public who may come from differing cultural, linguistic and/or socio-economic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of career development and labour market needs and trends.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage a high-volume caseload.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and problem-solve.
• Proficiency in all aspects of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Possession of and the ability to maintain a clear provincial criminal recork check.
• Ability to carry out the duties of the position.

ISSofBC Value Proposition

• Expected Hiring Salary: $ per hour. Dependent on education, training, experience, and internal equity. Wage grids are reviewed annually. We are a proud and certified Living Wage BC Employer. Our current total compensation package continues to meet the requirements of living wages in BC to support our employees.
• 105 hours of vacation and 35 hours of personal leave.
• Extended health and dental benefits.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
• Employer RRSP contribution at 3% with no required employee contribution. Optional employee RRSP contribution at 1-5% with employer contribution up to 5%.
• Inclusive culture and supportive workplace with opportunity for innovation and development.
• Values-based organization with collaborative peers with a wide range of backgrounds and talents.

We acknowledge Indigenous Peoples on whose territories we are privileged to work, welcome and support newcomers, including immigrants, refugees and students. We honour the Nations who have always cared for these lands, waters, and air. In line with ISSofBC's commitment to equity, we promote inclusive employment opportunities for women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions (2SLGBTQI+), and racialized individuals. Guided by our values of Purpose, Improvement, Belonging, and being Genuine, we strive to create a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives and unique strengths are celebrated.

If You are Passionate about Making a Difference, Apply Now