Vacancy Posting – Competition #2023-01-26-IES-CP

Reposted: January 26, 2023

Closing date: Ongoing posting until the position is filled

Position: Immigrant Employment Specialist (Career Paths)

Hours of work: 35 hours per week (full-time)

Start date: As soon as possible

Work location: 102-808 Douglas Street, Victoria

Reports to: Employment Services Manager

Rate of Pay: $23.98 per hour (benefits after successful completion of probation period)

The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) helps immigrants and refugees meet their social, cultural, and economic goals. Comprised of dedicated staff and volunteers, ICA provides language instruction, support finding housing and employment and a range of other services. In addition, ICA is actively engaged in the community to strengthen connections between immigrants and those born in Canada. Through our work, we are building a strong, diverse, and vibrant community. ICA is a welcoming, passionate, and energetic organization that has been having a positive impact in the Greater Victoria region for more than 50 years.

Job description: Under the guidelines of multiple programs through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC); and other funding agencies, this position supports and refers clients to appropriate programming and resources. Provides all aspects of career counselling, mentoring, facilitation, case management (action planning, assessments, job search work experience services, skills enhancement services, self-employment services, wage subsidy services, job sustainment services and outreach), working with clients facing multiple barriers to employment, including youth unemployment. Provides information and expertise to newcomers (with international professional experience) in regulated and non-regulated occupations and coaches them on the process of entering their field in Canada through ICA’s Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants Program. Develop and facilitate group workshops on employment related themes. This is a multifaceted position and requires an individual that is able to balance superior client service with other responsibilities and multiple contract requirements. Serves all individuals, including BIPOC, LGBTQ2+ and Indigenous, and those with diverse abilities. Reports to the Employment Services Manager.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree and professional courses on employment-related themes or combination of education, training, and experience (business administration, career development, intercultural studies).
• Keen understanding of diversity issues to work with persons from diverse backgrounds on employment-related issues, and experience working in multicultural settings.
• Solid knowledge of the Canadian local labour market, workplace practices, job search strategies and techniques, and ethical practices in employment counselling and career development.
• Ability to achieve results with individuals with specialized needs and multi-barriers to employment.
• Three years’ experience facilitating employment-related programs, recruiting mentors, and arranging mentorship matches employment case management, conducting career and vocational assessments, conducting outreach within social services, not-for-profit and/or multicultural organization.
• Established relationships with local employers and the community.
• Strong administrative skills, including writing case notes and data management. Experience with client management systems would be an asset.
• Experience working with immigrants and refugees and/or understanding immigration issues.
• Proficiency in a settlement and/or resettlement language preferred.
• Indigenous cultural competencies and/or lived experience with Indigenous communities welcomed.
• Employment requires proof of full vaccination status (minimum of 2 doses)

Key duties/responsibilities

• Provides information and expertise to clients specific to internationally trained professionals in regulated and non-regulated occupations and coaches them on the process of entering their field in Canada.
• Develops a return-to-work plan and determines on-the-job supports needed for employment placements.
• Conducts in-depth personal one-to-one, career, and vocational assessments; Develops timely, realistic, and effective action plans; Maintains client engagement to achieve outcomes; Builds community awareness and recruit new clients.
• Designs, coordinates, and facilitates programs to address the diverse labour market needs of immigrant and refugee newcomers to Canada.
• Determines client needs and gaps in services, and designs programs to fill those gaps.
• Promotes programs to existing and potential new clients.
• Research and recruits guest speakers, ensuring content is sensitive to language and cultural barriers.
• Keeps accurate records using ICA’s client management databases.
• Networks and builds strong professional relationships with local employers and stakeholders to increase employment opportunities for clients.
• Recruits mentors and arranges mentorship matches between clients and community professionals (if needed).
• Helps organize employer forums and information sessions when necessary.
• Consults with Immigrant Employment Specialists from all employment programs to fully support clients.
• Helps organize employer forums and information sessions when necessary.
• Maintains progress reports in client management systems.
• Creates awareness of anti-oppressive/social justice issues.
• Participates in employment-related training opportunities to stay current on issues impacting ICA’s clients.
• Participates in regular team and organization-wide staff meetings.
• Follows all ICA policies and administrative procedures.

Submit a cover letter and current resume (in pdf. format), noting relevant qualifications, experience, language proficiency, and vaccination status to the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Attention: Manager of People and Culture, via email to . This is an ongoing posting until the position is filled. Please quote Competition #2023-01-26-IES-CP in the subject line.

Please note: This is a unionized position subject to the terms and conditions of our Collective Agreement and of our funding agreements with various funders.  As per the Collective Agreement, internal applicants will be given consideration with respect to filling the position prior to external candidates being hired.  This position is open to applicants of all genders.  This position requires union membership.  Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.