YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Axis program provides employment services for immigrant or newcomer women who are survivors of violence, trauma or abuse. Axis offers participants with supportive, one-to-one pre-employment services in a first language to prepare them to enter into the labour market and build readiness to further employment or training services such as WorkBC. The staff team will be situated in regions across BC (e.g., Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Northern BC, Central Okanagan) and will deliver virtual services across the province and offer in-person services as appropriate. Under the general supervision of the Axis Program Manager, the Career Advisor will work in a virtual environment and in person when required, with a small team of six Career Advisors across BC.  

What you’ll be doing: 

• Career Advisors of the YWCA’s Axis program provide specialized employment services following an individual service-based model to support participants who identify as visible minority women Survivors of Violence and/or Abuse and Trauma survivors  

• Ensure safety plan and basic needs are in place and work with participants to refer to counselling, community resources and other referrals as appropriate 

• In a trauma-informed practice, support participants with different needs, backgrounds, learning styles and employment goals 

• Develop Individualized Client Training Plans and provide key resources to support client goals 

• Facilitate soft skills training, employment readiness, essential skills (e.g., developing skills in building healthy boundaries, time management, confidence, resilience and coping) 

• Provide job search coaching; assist participants in identifying and overcoming employment barriers, setting realistic career goals, and creating and following action plans 

• Assist participants with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and labour market information and trend research 

• Work collaboratively within the community and YWCA to create resource partnerships addressing issues related to violence, abuse, trauma 

• Conduct specialized outreach in the community to recruit participants to engage in services  

• Work collaboratively within the wider YWCA ecosystem to ensure optimization of cross referrals 

• Assist participants to participate in the Single Parents Employment Initiative and wider WorkBC services where eligible 

• Participate in weekly Case Conferencing with program staff to discuss participant and employer issues, and placement opportunities. 

• Maintain accurate participant records and confidentiality, as per CARF standards 

• Report program outcomes to Program Manager and stakeholders (e.g., program researchers, YWCA leadership) 

• Liaise with other community and external stakeholders to promote and engage issues specific to immigrant women who are survivors of violence. 

• Recruit employers for work experience engagement and activities, job openings through internal resources, cold calls & emails, and screen potential employee referrals for employers 

• Meet with employers to create training plans and complete paperwork 

• Participate in events / roundtables 

• Other duties as required  

What you’ll need: 

• English speaking and must have proficiency in one or a combination of these languages (Tagalog, Ukrainian, Farsi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish) 

• Experience in employment/career counselling, social work, job development and/or working with visible minority communities  

• Trauma informed training/experience working with vulnerable populations is an asset 

• Must have the ability to work in person as required 

• CCDP certification and career development experience/education is an asset 

• Either a bachelor's degree in a related field or a combination of education and experience 

• Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable populations and delivering a trauma-informed approach   

• Keen understanding of issues and barriers faced by immigrant women, and survivors of gender-based violence 

• Understanding of community resources and wraparound supports available to program participants 

• Proven experience to work independently and part of a team to deliver exemplary service 

• Excellent computer skills (all Microsoft Applications), SharePoint and OneDrive 

• Ability to coordinate and deliver meetings on Zoom video conferencing platform 

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal 

• Strong Admin skills, attention to detail, record keeping, analytics and reporting 

• A demonstrated positive attitude towards change, and the ability to collaborate and liaison with internal and external partners 

• A valid clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.  

• The YWCA Metro Vancouver’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination from COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the YWCA deem it necessary to reintroduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties. 

What we offer:  We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total compensation package: 

• Extended medical and dental benefits  

• A defined benefit pension plan 

• Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions 

• Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members 

• Free staff membership to our Health + Fitness Centre, discounts at our YWCA Hotel and priority in YWCA Child Care centres 

• Pay Rate: $30.55  

• A workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety and wellbeing, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our staff mentorship program and three equity committees who help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.