Youth Counsellor - Jobs in Oshawa, ON

Job Description

The John Howard Society of Durham Region has an exciting opportunity for you. If you have a passion to support people with resources who require assistance with skills training and employment, an appreciation for the not-for-profit sector and would like to work for the John Howard Society of Durham Region, we encourage you to apply.YOUTH COUNSELLOR for Skills Training for Employment and Post-Secondary Pathways (STEP)Division: Employment and Training ServicesWork Status: Full-TimeLocation: Durham Region (all offices as required)About the Role:The Skills Training for Employment and Post-Secondary Pathways (STEP) program is a project funded through the Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS). This initiative is the Government of Canada’s commitment to help youth overcome barriers to employment, develop a broad range of skills and knowledge to participate in the current and future labour market and to promote education and skills training as being foundational to labour market participation. These barriers include but are not limited to challenges faced by youth involved in the criminal justice system, youth with disabilities, recent immigrant youth, Indigenous youth, and youth who are involuntarily not in employment, education, or training.Working in the STEP program, the Youth Counsellor will work with youth who face complex barriers to employment. The goal is to achieve long-term employment, meaningful careers, further educational or vocational opportunities and success in their future working lives. Working within a team, the Youth Counsellor will case manage and deliver effective and quality Employment Skills Training and Quality Employment Opportunities to participating youth. This includes assessment and intake, service plan development and planning, advocacy for and linking and coordinating all wraparound supports, monitoring, and follow-up activities.You’ll be working on things like:Service User Support

• Determine youth eligibility and suitability for program, along with their general employment and service needs
• Conduct participant intake and assessment to gather background information, clarify career and employment goals, identify factors that affect the individual’s ability to succeed in program, and determine individual’s interpersonal skills and motivation
• Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse racial, ethnic, disabled, sexual orientation, and cultural populations of youth
• Use Cognitive Skills counselling or other counselling models to evaluate job readiness, negotiate readiness for change and develop a suitable action plan (where required)
• Development of action plan that includes an individual’s activities, services, and supports based on their employment and employability needs and career goals
• Provide case management and general support
• Mentoring activities that support the development of interpersonal and relationship-building skills, “soft” skill that are the foundation of workplace interactions
• With the team, deliver and evaluate relevant and current workshops or activities that support life stability, fundamental job readiness skills, career development/exploration, personal management (life) skills, job attainment skills, employment-related skills, and job maintenance and career advancement skills
• Work with the team to develop and support Quality Employment Opportunities for participating youth
• Support vulnerable youth through the process of post-secondary application
• Implement job coaching and job retention strategies

Case Management/Documentation

• Maintain up-to-date case notes, progress reports and client files with clear rationale for methods and intervention used, and statistical documentation in accordance with the program requirements
• Monitor and maintain financial tracking where required
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting software applications.
• Achieves all services outcomes and targets as developed by the funder and agency
• Meets all required deadlines.
• Maintain monthly performance related statistical reports
• Liaises with other Employment and Training staff to ensure coordination of services and utilization of available resources.

Community, Administration & Other

• Provide education and work transition support to bridge transition from the program to employment or further education
• Make follow-up contact to program participants after completion of program, at appropriate intervals
• Contributes to the program strategy by evaluating client and program performance: participate in developing and implementing program improvements
• Maintains up-to-date case notes, progress reports and client files with clear rationale for methods and intervention used, and statistical documentation in accordance with the program requirements.
• Must meet Documentation Quality Standards and provide accurate and timely data entry and filing procedures to the database.
• Partner with community organizations and in-house JHS programs that service youth with complex employment barriers, such as Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, schools, Childrens Aid Society, the courts, Durham Regional Police Service, probation etc. for the purposes of referral and recruitment.
• With the team, establish relationships with employers or sector associations in Durham Region to determine job opportunities and advocate for participant job placement.
• Make referrals to community agencies as deemed appropriate
• Representing the agency in the community when required.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with other community services agencies and employers
• Attend workshops, meetings and seminars as requested

If you have the following…we want to hear from you!

• Must possess post-secondary education in a related field.
• Willing to remain current in the field of career counselling and training services, employing new practices and tools as appropriate
• Facilitation/Instruction, Employment, and general counselling experience.
• Extensive knowledge of pre-employment support methods, retraining opportunities and labour market information and resources.
• Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse racial, ethnic, disabled, sexual orientation, and cultural populations of individuals by treating individuals with respect and considers the impact of their actions.
• Must have high proficiency working within all Microsoft office applications.
• Experienced in using Zoom to host/co-host meetings, including using polls, breakout rooms, annotation mode, etc.
• Strong knowledge of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Hootsuite and Wordpress
• Strong self-management skills to achieve project goals within short timelines
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to take initiative and work as part of a team
• Able to work in an environment that requires the ability to collect and gather statistical information, meet deadlines and targets.
• Hold valid Class G drivers license or can navigate to any JHS office as well as meet with employers across the Region of Durham
• Work effectively and collaboratively with all JHS in-house services and programs to ensure coordination between programs and utilization of available resource
• Candidate should have a solid knowledge of community services in the Durham Region to be able to refer and link individuals to these services as required.
• Achieve all services outcomes and goals as developed by the agency
• Ensure that all services are provided within the standards of service maintained by JHS and consistent with the agency’s philosophical beliefs.

Status: Full TimeDuration: ContinuousHours: 35 per week, Monday to FridayLocation: Durham RegionReports to: Coordinator of STEP ProgramTravel: Yes, as required (mileage reimbursement)Salary: $22.00 to $22.44 per hourBenefits: Yes (Extended Health, Life, LTD, Dental, RRSP, Critical Illness)Union: YesStart Date: As Soon As PossiblePOSTED: November 9, 2022CLOSES: November 20, 2022The ideal candidate will be able to be contribute their education and anti-oppressive practices while working with SERVICE USERS who face issues related to:

• Trauma
• Racism
• Cultural or Religious Prejudices
• Gender Expression and Identity (LGBTQ+)
• Disparities and issues faced by the Black, Indigenous and people of colour communities
• Immigration, newcomers
• Substance use
• Family relationships
• Physical disability
• Education and learning challenges
• Life-skills
• Systems experiences (i.e. Child Welfare, Criminal Justice)

Working Conditions

• May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc
• Must be able to work an in-office rotation and remotely if required
• Must be able to work in all JHS Durham Locations
• Physical activity includes sitting, walking, and standing
• May require lifting to 35lbs
• COVID-19 protocols and policies are in place, PPE is provided
• Must be willing to undergo a Police Vulnerable Sector Check
• JHS Durham is currently certified with C.U.P.E and is in collective bargaining

COVID 19 Vaccination Policy: The John Howard Society of Durham Region believes that immunization against COVID-19 is an individual and societal responsibility and that we must do everything possible to protect our clients, families, employees, students, volunteers, and contractors against the spread of COVID-19. About UsThe John Howard Society of Durham Region (JHSD): We are a non-profit, social service agency dedicated to serving all individuals, families, youth and adults in programs in areas such as Community Justice, Employment and Training and Housing/ Residential Services.We thank you for your interest in obtaining employment with the John Howard Society of Durham Region. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and providing equal employment opportunity for all applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. John Howard Society of Durham is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.Recognizing the intrinsic worth and dignity of every human being, the John Howard Society is committed to uphold the principles set out in the Human Rights Code of Ontario and the Canadian Human Rights Act. This commitment is expressed in the following undertaking:(1) The Society shall provide services within its mandate to every individual without discrimination, regardless of race, ethnicity, citizenship, national ancestry, colour, creed, language, religion, marital status, family status, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, abilities, economic status, political affiliation or criminal record.(2) The Society shall maintain such personnel policies and practices as are consistent with the tenets of the Human Rights Codes of Ontario, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).(3) The Society, through its employees, shall deal with representatives of the community in a responsive manner, with courtesy, respect, and without prejudice and discrimination.Quick Apply

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