Career Advisor [Full Time, Term Contract]

Job Title: Career Advisor [Full Time, Term Contract]

Program: Career Paths

Position Class: Scale 2-3

Reports to: Employment Team Lead

Hours: 37.5 hrs / week, Monday-Friday (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)

Type: Term Contract, Full Time, ending March 31, 2027

Wage Rate: $28.50-$29.75/hr, fully funded benefits after 3-month probation

About CVIMS:

Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (CVIMS) is a non-profit settlement organization located in Nanaimo, B.C., Canada. Established in 1979, CVIMS provides support to newcomers and refugees. Services include settlement, employment, family, language and community programs. We are client-driven and committed to being accessible and responsive to, as well as reflective of, our diverse community.

Job Summary:

As a Career Advisor, you will provide ongoing support and coaching to newcomers while they seek to continue their careers they had prior to arrival in Canada.  Reporting to the Employment Team Lead, the Career Advisor develops realistic and tailored action plans to accomplish employment readiness, licensing, certification, and/or skills upgrading for job search success. You will monitor client progress and maintain accurate case notes on each client, ensuring action plans are completed, and program targets and client outcomes are achieved. This role will ensure that accessible, specialized employment services exist in the Central and North Vancouver Island region. Working with each client, the Career Advisor will also work in community, assisting in client recruitment, program marketing, and liaising with employers and community partners to create employment opportunities for clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct eligibility and needs assessments with clients to determine employment history, education background and career goals and ascertain their interests, skills, and job readiness.
• Provide flexible client-centered and inclusive employment counselling for newcomers, utilizing a combination of in person appointments, online meetings, or phone and email communication.
• Supports clients to develop realistic return-to-work action plans tailored to their needs, ensuring that action plans are achievable and relevant.
• Provide advice and coaching on effective job search strategies; assist clients to develop targeted resumes and cover letters, ensuring that they align with Canadian labour market standards.
• Conduct regular and thorough client follow up; monitor and review the progress of client’s action plans and adjust as needed to ensure continuous improvement.
• Inform clients of relevant educational, training and credential evaluation opportunities, ensuring that they are aware of the steps to pursue licensure or certification where necessary.
• Conduct research into occupational and educational information to assist clients with career and labour market research; provides up-to-date labour market information.
• Assist clients to identify appropriate job leads, and together with the team, promote qualified candidates to appropriate employers.
• Develop and facilitate various employment workshops addressing the needs of clients, focusing on practical skills for career development.
• Organize language assessments for potential clients in various communities in the Central and North Island region and ensure that assessment results are accurately documented and used to support client goals.
• Maintain program financial records and ensure eligibility criteria are met. Track receipts, proof of payments and submit documentation to team lead and finance department. Process payments and reimbursements for clients and stakeholders.
• Liaise with community service providers in Parksville, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, Port Hardy, Port Alberni, and Ladysmith.
• Participates in all client recruitment and screening and program marketing activities. Provides program information to training service providers and referring agencies as requested.
• Advocate on behalf of the clients and communicate with regulatory bodies, training institutions, and employers.
• Maintain current knowledge of services available in the service area to support clients to allow for appropriate referrals.
• Ensure all data is documented accurately in client and ministry databases; maintain complete and confidential client records; both print and electronic.
• Monitors statistics to ensure targets and successful outcomes are being achieved.
• Ensures that clients receive quality service and access to appropriate resources.
• Identifies partnership opportunities and works cooperatively with stakeholders to ensure sustained successful services.
• Attends job fairs and events in the community to promote related activities and exchange information with other community services providers, stakeholders. Promotes CVIMS programs/services to client communities and service providers.
• Supports the preparation of monthly, quarterly and yearly reports. Submits to the Employment Team Lead and ensures that all evaluations and reports are completed as required.
• Ensure strict adherence to confidentiality, code of ethics and all other professional codes of conduct
• Work collaboratively as part of the CVIMS team to ensure agency and client success
• Follow CVIMS protocols for reporting and communication
• Attend and actively participate in all staff meetings and group trainings
• And such further duties and responsibilities as may be communicated by CVIMS from time to time

Required Education, Certifications, and Experience:

• CCDP- National Certified Career Development Practitioner designation required. Applicants who are working towards the certification will be considered.
• Minimum 1 year experience working as an employment counsellor or in career development.
• Demonstrated strengths in the areas of data and document management, strong organizational skills.
• Superior inter-personal and communication skills. Excellent spoken and written English required.
• Cultural competency training with the capacity to work with diverse and marginalized populations
• Ability to work independently and as part of team
• Class 5 driver’s license and own transportation required
• Vulnerable sector criminal record check on file with CVIMS required
• Training or demonstrated proficiency using client databases, Microsoft Office 365, Zoom, Teams, and other digital tools
• First Aid Level 1 certification required

Preferred Skills, Abilities, and Assets:

• Relevant post-secondary education in career development, counselling, social work or related field.
• Additional qualifications and / or training in trauma-informed practice are considered an asset.
• GBA+ certification is valued.
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including historically marginalized groups.
• Fluency in a second language would be an asset.
• Priority will be given to applicants who are eligible to work in Canada for minimum 1 year.
• Superior inter-personal and communication skills. Excellent spoken and written English required.
• Accountable individual who adheres to agency policies and procedures.
• Attitudes and values in keeping with the CVIMS vision and goals.

Additional Information:

• Travel with the North Island Region will be required. Occasional travel to locations in other parts of British Columbia and/or Canada for purposes like professional development, networking, program delivery or conferences may also be required
• Some work outside of regular office hours, including evenings and weekends, will be required. Flex time schedules will be made to accommodate non-regular work hours. All overtime must be approved in advance
• Fully funded health/dental benefits and group RRSP available after 3-month probation
• This is a full-time 37.5 hrs / week, term contract position ending March 31, 2027, with the possibility of extension based on funding and organizational needs.