Vocational Counsellor for Adults with Developmental Disabilities 

Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date: May 31, 2023

Start Date: July 14, 2023

Wage/Salary: $23.10/hour, as per Collective Agreement (plus benefits following probation)

Location: Community-based, throughout CRD and 4 Thrive work sites

Hours of Work: Flexibly scheduled hours between Monday and Friday, typically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; periodically including some weekend hours, early morning or evening shifts for community-based job coaching to meet needs of program.

Job Summary

Supports and provides skill development to clients in areas related to obtaining and retaining employment. Develops partnerships with community employers, including creating jobs. The caseload is of twelve to fifteen job seekers in various phases of service (Discovery, Job Development, Job Maintenance).

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Completes intake assessments (Discovery) by acquiring historical and current information regarding the person being served. This process may include interviews with the person served, parents/caregivers, professionals, and others.
• Creates an Employment Plan based on evaluating individual strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences of the person served. Identifies barriers to employment, goals for support, and strategies for goal attainment.
• Ensures that persons served and/or their parent(s)/caregiver(s), CLBC, and other community professionals, as applicable, actively participate in developing an Individual Service Plan (ISP).
• Locates employers in the local business community and finds employment opportunities that match the interests, skills, and abilities of the clients (Job Development).
• Contacts potential employers to promote the program and develop relationships, obtain job leads, and encourage employers to participate in placements.
• Provides clients with information on employment opportunities that are compatible with their interests, skills, and abilities, by analyzing potential jobs and identifying specific tasks to match jobs to clients.
• Provides support and skill development in areas related to obtaining employment such as job search strategies, job application/negotiation, résumé writing, and interview skills.
• Monitors, reviews, and evaluates progress made by the person served and modifies programming as required.
• Acts as an advocate for the individual.
• Identifies community resources that will support the needs of the participant.
• Recognizes, assesses, and develops strategies to manage potential and emerging crises.
• Liaises with other agencies, professionals, government officials, and the community as necessary.
• Works with team members and Program Manager to address global needs of the program and the persons served.
• Maintains complete, legible, and organized documentation on the activities of the person served, progress made on goals established in the ISP, and all other documentation required by the program.
• Meets timelines for the submission of all documentation established under program and Accreditation Standards.
• Maintains best practice standards, as identified by the Thrive Social Services Policy, Procedure manual, Health & Safety handbook.
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor
• All job duties follow strict guidelines regarding COVID-19. The health and safety of employees and clients are of the utmost importance to Thrive.

Education, Training and Experience:

• A diploma or degree in a human services field and/or an equivalent combination of education and training is required.
• At least one year of experience in the community services field, with preferred experience in supported employment
• Current certification in Emergency Level C First Aid.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of Supported and Customized employment models of service
• Demonstrated working knowledge of community supports and services available to individuals with barriers to employment.
• Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices related to Community Living Services.
• Experience in sales, networking; developing new contacts, and/or community partnerships is preferred.
• Good written and verbal reporting skills.

Additional Information:

• Full participation in this program may include a moderate-to-high level of physical fitness, as program activities may involve standing, walking, bending, lifting, etc.
• A valid Class 5 driver’s license is required.
• Use of a vehicle with business insurance is required.
• Emergency or OFA Level 1 First Aid with CPR-C
• Police Criminal Record check completed within the last 6 months

How to Apply:

Ensure your cover letter and résumé are included in your application.

Send your cover letter and résumé to: Jenny Forth, Employment Services Program Manager,

1095 McKenzie Avenue, 4th floor, Victoria, BC, V8P 2L5