Employment Counsellor

KCDS is seeking applicants to fill the role of full-time Employment Counsellor at our Nelson WorkBC Centre.

WHO WE ARE

Voted one of the Best Places to Work in Canada for companies with employees for 5 years in a row, KCDS provides employment and career development services in Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Slocan, Salmo, and Kaslo.

Our team is committed to making a positive difference in our communities by delivering a full range services through programming and workshops to empower individuals, employers and communities economically and socially.

If this sounds like your jam, come join our Employment Counsellor team who plays a critical role in assisting clients in the WorkBC Centre. This position is an in-person role based out of our Nelson WorkBC Centre with potential for some hybrid work.

POSITION SUMMARY

Our Employment Counsellors work with a diverse range of clients, including specialized populations to understand their employment needs and support them towards achieving their training and employment goals. We use a wide range of practical and supportive tools provided by the WorkBC program, plus our own KCDS expertise.

Providing a true 'Gold Standard' of client service is our highest priority; we take great care in assessing individual needs, identifying appropriate opportunities and resources, monitoring progress, carefully documenting client files, and doing our upmost to help our clients find and maintain sustainable employment in a changing economy.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills: ability to develop and maintain a respectful, collaborative, and productive relationship with clients including making conscious use of sensitive and respectful language
• Ability to discuss and explore client personality characteristics, learning styles, employment needs and career development needs and implement appropriate interviewing techniques to best assist a client towards their employment goals
• Highly proficient with computers, equipment and technology used to support clients in their job search; MS Office programs, other word processing applications, online applications, web-based assessment tools, social media platforms, web-based research tools, and web-based learning platforms
• Ability to provide service in a variety of formats, in person, online, over the phone
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Proficiency supporting clients from specialized/vulnerable populations
• Ability to work well independently and in a team environment
• Strong time management, ability to prioritize work tasks and organizational skills
• Ability to accurately and objectively document client information, enter data and track statistics

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in relevant field or equivalent combination of education and transferrable experience
• 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• • Working one on one to support clients
• Coaching and mentoring clients
• Working with individuals with complex barriers and broad range of cultural backgrounds
• Building partnerships with employers, community agencies and other stakeholders
• Prior employment counselling experience an asset

Additional requirements:

• Must be eligible to work in Canada
• Must consent to a Criminal Record Check as required
• May be required to work some evenings and weekends

Starting wage is $26.25 / hour with regular milestone increases plus group benefits after 90 days of employment

Position Type: Full-time 35 hours/week

Job Posting Expiry Date: open until filled

We recommend to our clients that they include a cover letter as part of a job application to let employers better understand their transferable skills and strengths; in particular if they do not have any work experience or education that applies directly to the position they are applying for. Because we are an organization that provides employment services and helps others with their job search skills, your job application gives us our first glimpse into your skills when applying for jobs. We would appreciate it if you would include a cover letter in your application.

Please note that although we appreciate the time and interest of all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

KCDS is committed to diversity, inclusion and respect in the workplace and welcomes applicants from all groups who may contribute to the diversity of KCDS. For more information, please visit

We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting amazing candidates like you, so please don't hesitate to apply love to hear from you. We also know it's rare for someone to meet 100% of the qualifications. Please apply anyway

We especially encourage applicants of different backgrounds, cultures, genders, experiences, abilities and perspectives to apply. We're actively working to increase the diversity of experience and perspectives on our team and are looking for someone who can help continue to lead that process.