The Career Advisor role works directly with clients in one-on-one and group-based environments, providing guidance and skills-building support in person and virtually. The role also connects with employers and organizations across industries to engage them in the program as mentors, guest speakers, and connection-building with program clients and identify job opportunities for clients as required.   

What you’ll be doing: 

In this role you will be working with newcomers and refugees who identify as gender diverse and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ to explore ways to help increase employment outcomes for members of this community by: 

• Operating through a trauma-informed and strengths-based practice, meeting gender diverse and 2SLGBQIA+ newcomers and refugees where they are at; recognizing and understanding the impact that trauma has on an individual; identifying needs, barriers, and strengths; building capacity and self-advocacy skills for program participants 

• Connecting gender diverse and 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomer and refugee clients with inclusive employers and businesses, employment programming, WorkBC Employment Services, hiring fairs, employment-related events, and community resources   

• Providing employment coaching to program clients via 1:1 appointments, as well as group sessions and workshops. 

• Collaborating with the program team to understand the needs of employers and to develop strategies that address their gender diverse and 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomer and refugee recruitment challenges. 

• Building and maintaining relationships with employers to understand their recruitment and retention needs and provide support in developing strategies that promote diversity and inclusion. 

• Organizing events and other networking activities to bring together employers, guest speakers, and gender diverse and 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomer and refugee job seekers, and to promote the benefits of hiring from this community. 

• Facilitating Believe program Information Sessions at WorkBC Employment Service Centres and other community programs throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley to market the program and recruit clients. 

• Collaborating with internal YWCA departments (Marketing, Fund Development, and Employment) and program partners to coordinate initiatives for program promotion and outreach.  

• Acting as a champion of the program, promoting employment for gender diverse and 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers and refugees throughout the community  

• Conducting and documenting assessments of client needs and developing Individualized Action Plans to support clients in setting and meeting their goals   

• Maintaining up-to-date and accurate client files and case notes, as well as maintaining a rapport with clients pre/post program to ensure candidates receive wrap-around, ongoing support.  

• Monitoring project outcomes and trends; creating monthly reporting on metrics; conducting participant follow-up and surveys    

• Conducting research and build knowledge on best practices in employer engagement and diversity and inclusion in the workplace and share this information with employers. 

• Tracking and reporting on the progress of employer engagement activities and develop strategies to continuously improve the effectiveness of these activities. 

• Maintaining a database of employer contacts, including information on their recruitment and retention needs and their past engagement with the organization. 

• Strategizing with leadership to continually improve processes and increase program successful outcome statistics  

• Adhering to onsite Health and Safety Procedures   

• Other duties as required  

What you’ll need: 

• Lived or living experience as member of, or demonstrated understanding of working with, the program’s population of gender diverse/2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers and refugees  

• Experience in cross-cultural communication and service methods appropriate to clients with low literacy and low English skills; additional language an asset  

• Cultural sensitivity, with knowledge of working with people of diverse backgrounds and awareness of specific ethnocultural minority communities and resources available for clients   

• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills  

• Strong knowledge of employment programs and services, online delivery and adult learning methodologies, and local labour market conditions   

• Knowledge of issues and barriers that gender diverse/2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers and refugees can face and the ability to provide solutions to meet these barriers   

• Highly effective relationship builder with a track record of establishing strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders   

• Excellent computer skills (all Microsoft Applications), video conferencing and office equipment    

• Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel throughout Metro-Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, the ability to work in person during office hours at the YWCA program location; willingness to work at and commute to other YWCA locations in Metro Vancouver on occasions  

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, and work remotely if required   

• Related post-secondary degree or diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience in Social Services, Psychology, Humanities, or Counselling or equivalent knowledge, skills and life experience   

• Two years of experience providing assessment, employment counselling, facilitation, job development and providing referral services to newcomers 

• CCDP Certification is considered an asset   

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion  

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

• Pay Rate: $30.55 per hour  

• 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.