Employment Counsellor

Status: Casual

Job Summary
Under the direction of the Director of Employment Services, this position is responsible for, the training, supervision and co-ordination of designated work units within the Clubhouse vocational program and supporting Clubhouse members on their pre-vocational plan that included the Transitional Employment Program, in line with the mission, objectives and policies of Coast Foundation and the Employment Services Division.

Hours of Work:
Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:00 hrs
Wed 10:00 - 18:00 (rotating)

Typical Duties

1. Supporting the Clubhouse members in developing their participation and goal plans for volunteering as a club member.  
2. Maintain the day-to-day operation of the Clubhouse program under the direction of the program manager.
3. Ensures the implementation of the program including individual vocational action plans and goal setting.
4. Supports individualized work readiness skills development through club volunteering that lead to employment.
5. Consults with clients, therapeutic supports to identify the needs and goals of the individual and support while in the program.
6. Identifying employment barriers and facilitate the placement of clients in a TEP.
7. Provides support for Supported Employment placements and employer contact.
8. Leads client skill development through hands on learning for individuals transiting into a TEP placement.
9. Supervise and maintain safety of the clients on TEP worksite, following Coast safety policies.
10. Ensure program supplies and equipment are refreshed for clients to perform their TEP placement.
11. Used formal and informal assessment practises such as motivational interviewing through a PSR approach to develop individual plans and identifying the clients employment interests.
12. Provides the support and information necessary to help clients build the self – esteem, confidence and decision-making skills while attending an employment placement.
13. Assists clients to identify and gain access to community supports such as vocational, educational programs and employment opportunities.
14. Maintain accurate client records and compile statistical records to support program needs and inform ongoing program development and evaluation.
15. Performs administrative tasks as assigned.
16. Build and maintain relationships with various community networks including contractors, employers, and clients.
17.  Network and market the program through on going community contacts and mental health service
18. Positively address all concerns, incidents or crisis, which affect program mandate.
19. Complete monthly metrics reports along with basic administrative and record keeping duties such as petty cash, mileage, client records.     
20. Fulfills any other functions/duties, as required, to ensure the safe, healthy and production operation of the Clubhouse and the Employment Unit.
21. May be asked to direct students, peer clients and volunteers.

Required Qualifications

• Diploma in Community Social Service or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work
• Recent, related experience in employment/vocational counselling & mental health of two years.
• Class 5 driver's license and access to a vehicle. 
• Ability to provide/obtain the following upon hire
  • Certificates in First Aid + CPR, WHMIS and FoodSafe
  • Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Clearance

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Ability to work with people with a mental illness.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.   
• Good motivational skills.
• Understand the principles of psychiatric rehabilitation and employment counselling and the philosophy, functions, policies and goals of the Clubhouse program.

About Coast

Coast Mental Health (Coast) is one of the largest mental health non-profit societies in Canada and operates a large array of innovative housing and community-based rehabilitation services for people with a mental illness living in and around Vancouver. Coast operates in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia providing approximately 1000 people with supportive housing and 4000 clients living in the community with a wide variety of programs and services. 

Coast fosters a client-driven, recovery-oriented environment that promotes restoring health, personal growth and a return to society for individuals with a mental illness through advocacy and providing direct programs and services. Coast is deeply invested in cultural safety, reconciliation, and anti-racism. Our employees receive training on cultural humility, trauma-informed practice, and inclusive leadership. We strive to reflect the communities we serve and value lived experience alongside professional qualifications.

Why Coast

• We recognize safety as a top priority for the organization.
• We believe in our people and recognize hard work.
• We operate client-centered care under the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation.
• We offer a variety of work placement opportunities within the organization.
• We strive to be the best that we can be.
• We hold Exemplary Standingwith Accreditation Canada.
• We have been recognized with numerous awards for our innovative programming.
• We care about our employees, and believe in living our values and culture throughout the organization

Some of the Benefits we Offer

• 100% employer-paid benefits for employees and their families.
• Vision Care, Dental Care, Prescription Drugs, Naturopath, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Group Life, Massage therapy, Physiotherapy, and Unlimited Out-of-Province and Out-of-Country Emergencies.
• General sick-leave accruals.
• Long-term disability programs.  Short-term disability programs available to exempt positions only.
• 5 days of paid leave for Indigenous Employees for Ceremonial, Cultural, and Spiritual events per year.
• 8 weeks of paid leave for gender affirming care for medical procedures for transgender and gender diverse employees, cumulative total.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program, which includes personal counselling, Life Coaching, Financial Coaching, Legal Referral and Advisory Services, and Health Coaching. In addition, Coast provides a cognitive behavioural therapy program (CBT abilities program) and Headversity for managing a variety of life issues and includes self-paced therapeutic support.
• Municipal Pension Plan with guaranteed lifetime monthly pension when you retire. More information can be found at: 

***For any unionized positions, current/internal Coast employees must apply within seven (7) days of the posting date with their internal UKG account (using their Coast email address), in order to be considered as an internal applicant. Current/internal Coast employees who apply to a unionized position using an external account (or email), or after the seven (7) day deadline will be considered an external candidate. In this case, seniority will not be considered.***

Coast Mental Health is committed to creating a culture of diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.