EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT FACILITATOR, PHOENIX YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

FULL-TIME, TERM

TERM DATES: Immediate - July 31st, 2027

Since 1987, Phoenix has been dedicated to supporting youth and contributing to a vibrant community. Phoenix’s twelve locations in Halifax, N.S. provide a continuum of care for youth aged 11-24 and their families. Our team of caring professionals recognizes that each person who comes to us has individual needs as well as strengths. People are the leaders in their own lives; Phoenix is a leader in supporting them.

A staff group that represents the diversity of the people and communities we serve is of the utmost importance. Phoenix is committed to reducing barriers to employment and career growth that have traditionally impacted members from the following groups, African Nova Scotians, Indigenous People, and Other Racially Visible Persons, Members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community, and Persons with Disabilities. If you are a member of one of these equity-seeking groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your cover letter or your resume. We would also appreciate if you would share your pronouns in your cover letter or your resume.

The Phoenix Learning and Employment Centre (PLEC) offers employment services customized to meet the needs of unemployed and underemployed youth ages 16-24 experiencing barriers to employment opportunities, career development and labour market integration. PLEC also provides opportunities for life skills and educational development, pre-employment support, employment readiness training.

Job Summary: The Employment Placement Facilitator will be responsible for providing case management to youth seeking support with employment focused goals. Case management support will include increasing youths’ awareness and knowledge of the labour market and job search processes, career exploration, preparing applications and development employment related skills. A significant responsibility of the Employment Placement Facilitator includes supporting a cohort of youth through a pre-employment wage subsidy placement program focused on employment readiness skill building as well as completing an eight-to-twelve-week paid experience placement. This program includes small group and one-on-one youth support, placement networking and matching with the youths’ interests, and evaluations throughout a youths’ placement.

Program Overview: The Phoenix Youth and Community Centre works collaboratively with the community of Mulgrave Park to develop relevant and meaningful programs for youth and residents who face systemic and contextual challenges within Mulgrave Park and the surrounding area. Here, youth can engage in recreation, art, team building, communication, resource navigation, life skills development, and community-based education and employment support. Through programming, youth are encouraged and supported to think big and achieve their goals.

Nestled in the heart of Mulgrave Park in Halifax’s lively North End, Phoenix’s Youth and Community Centre is more than just a space—it’s a hub of connection, creativity, and community spirit. The Community Outreach Worker will find themselves in a cozy, shared office space within two townhouse-style flats seamlessly joined together. PYCC can be accessed via stairs at street level, or by fully accessible ramp.

Step inside PYCC, and you’ll be greeted by an inviting space that radiates inclusivity and warmth. The Centre has two gender-neutral washrooms, two shared kitchen areas perfect for impromptu conversations over coffee and cooking, and multiple common areas open to youth, staff, and community residents alike. Everywhere you look, the walls tell stories—vivid artwork, thoughtful decor, and programming that reflects the rich diversity of the community. It’s a place where everyone feels seen, heard and at home.

Compensation: $47,000.00 - $49,000.00 annual salary, comprehensive group medical insurance plan, Employee and Family Assistance Program, RRSP contribution, three weeks annually of vacation, (pro-rated for the term), generous sick leave, a generous paid holiday schedule, in-house trainings, and professional development opportunities.

Hours of Work: 40-hour work weeks, scheduled for 8-hour shifts, Monday–Friday, with flexibility between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., including coverage for evening programs as required (evening programming runs Tuesdays 5-7pm, Wednesdays 6-8pm and Thursdays 5-7pm). Occasional weekend as required.

Location: 123/133 Jarvis Lane, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Reports to: Manager, Phoenix Youth and Community Centre

Screening Requirements: Due to the sensitive nature of our work with youth, this position is subject to a satisfactory criminal record check including a vulnerable sector search, a child abuse register check and proof of education.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

•       Ensure the program delivery is congruent with Phoenix’s mission, vision, and values.

•       Work in accordance with Phoenix’s policies, procedures, and philosophy of practice.

•       Support the day-to-day operations and programming of PYCC, including contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment.  Regularly engaging in case conferencing with other PYCC team members

•       Over the course of the contract, support 24 participants, in the Employment Connections Program (ECP). This support includes providing individualized case management to participants, community outreach, placement sourcing and job coaching activities.

o   Recruit youth to the program, support them through a job search process and provide pre-employability readiness training either individually or in small groups.

o   Monitor participant placement progress via regular check-ins with youth and placement supervisors.

•       Provide individualized case management support to clients accessing PYCC as they work towards employment goals.

o   Assess youth readiness and for positive engagement with their employment.

o   Create individualized support plans with youth that work towards identified goals in a collaborative manner.

o   Work in conjunction with other Phoenix team members to provide wrap around support for youth and coordinate placement strategies.

•       Work collaboratively with other Phoenix programs to offer effective youth-centered life skill and employability programming including outreach and developing/facilitating workshops.

•       Identify and recruit experience placements with the goal of matching youth with placements for short-term paid experience placements, (in tandem with other PYCC staff).

•       Inform placements about the benefits of Phoenix Youth Programs through various communication methods developed in conjunction with the PYCC’s Community Outreach Workers.

• Actively engage and participate in internal Phoenix committees, projects, and activities and required.
• Support the onboarding and training of new staff and volunteers.

•       Complete and maintain records, assessments, daily statistics, and files using the Phoenix database, ensuring youth confidentiality is protected. Write progress reports as required.

•       Assist with facility maintenance, health and safety needs to ensure a therapeutic milieu.

•       Conduct public education presentations about PYCC programs as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and maintain positive working relationships with youth.
• High level of understanding of youth development issues, particularly housing and mental health, as they relate to the labor market engagement.

•       Ability to engage and work effectively with youth to deliver workshops that address life & employability skills.

•       Knowledge of employment & labour market needs, and trends is an asset.

• Demonstrated ability to guide youth through a process of career exploration, and employment goal setting.
• Experience supporting young people to make positive career decisions and to transition into the workforce/labor market.

•       Knowledge of community resources, training opportunities and employment programs are required.

•       Ability to foster and steward positive relationships internally and with community partners including potential employers.

•       Proven expertise in community engagement, with a strong ability to foster positive and respectful relationships with youth, parents, and community members.

•       Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.

•       Ability to work in a team environment effectively.

• Demonstrated understanding and skill applying a social justice lens, using a youth centered approach and trauma-informed practice.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and personal reflection towards an anti-oppressive approach to practice.

•       Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, using the Internet and social media applications to connect with youth.

•        Extensive knowledge of Mulgrave Park and North End Halifax community resources and the social service delivery system is an asset.

•       Strong curriculum development and facilitation experience is an asset.

•       Must possess a valid driver’s license and or qualify for use of the Phoenix vehicle; use of a reliable personal vehicle would be considered an asset.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Social Work or Career Development/Employment Services or any other relevant human services or social science diploma or degree (e.g. Child and Youth studies, Social Services, Psychology etc.)
• A minimum of two (2) years direct service delivery experience focused on employment related support preferred.

•       Experience engaging and working with youth to deliver programming that addresses life and employability skills.

•       Experience developing and facilitating pre-employment readiness training.

•       Registration or candidacy for registration, certification, or membership of a related professional body (if applicable).

•       Experience working for a non-profit organization is an asset.

•       Standard First Aid, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), suicide intervention (ASIST), and naloxone training or a commitment to secure these certifications within six months of hire. These training courses are also offered within Phoenix for free.