Employment Counsellor

VPI INC.•Oshawa, ON

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

VPI is a Service Provider for Employment Ontario, funded by the Ontario Government to support jobseekers and employers. With over 30 years of experience, VPI operates in Mississauga and has 17 branches across Southern Ontario. Our organizational values are Ethics, Passion, Innovation, and Courage, driving our commitment to making a positive and sustainable impact. We embrace inclusivity and diversity, ensuring accessible employment practices and a supportive work environment where team members can be their authentic selves. This position is a backfill for an existing vacancy. We are seeking individuals with the passion and drive to make a positive and sustainable impact, providing exceptional client experiences. Our goal is to create an environment where clients feel safe, heard, supported, and see progression through skill development and life stabilization, leading to sustainable employment and career development.

Requirements

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
Active Listening Skills
Rapport Building
Time Management/Multi-tasking skills
Organizational Skills
Information gathering skills
Comfortable with technology, ever-improving processes, and efficiencies
Possess integrity and a strong work ethic
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Attention to detail
Self-confidence/Resilience
Judgement/Decision making
Ability to build lasting professional relationships with employers and job seekers
Self-motivated
Strong interpersonal skills
Customer Service
Initiative
Communication
Outgoing and enjoy getting to know other businesses and how their needs and our services can align that bring mutual value
Comfortable with managing targets

Responsibilities

Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of VPI's services, Employment Ontario program eligibility, and how to support job seekers' individual needs.
Achieve individual and team performance goals by effectively prioritizing tasks and managing time, even in high-pressure environments.
Build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders to generate and manage client referrals.
Conduct comprehensive client assessments to evaluate employment-related strengths, needs, abilities, skills, and other key factors.
Collaborate with clients to develop personalized Employment Action Plans aimed at achieving long-term job stability.
Provide ongoing, face-to-face and virtual pre-employment support, including career counseling, job search training, skill-building, work preparation, and related services as outlined in the Employment Action Plan.
Facilitate 1:1 interview preparation and mock interview sessions with clients, tailoring each session to individual needs/barriers and the job opportunity.
Provide 1:1 support to clients to assist with job matching and advocating for the client to secure an interview/employment.
Facilitate engaging and informative 3-day workshop series on Resume and Cover Letter, Job Search Strategies, Interview Preparation, and Career Development, providing ongoing support for clients closest to the labor market to transition into the 12-month retention program.
Guide clients in accessing community resources to enhance job readiness, facilitating and monitoring referrals as required.
Identify and arrange necessary accommodation and resources to help clients sustain employment.
Provide services in a professional, welcoming, and safe manner, ensuring confidentiality and respect for client privacy.
Stay informed about current labor market trends and emerging opportunities in local and regional industries.
Assess and determine Job Seeker Financial Supports to facilitate skills development initiatives for clients (e.g., assessments, transportation, attire, grooming, work equipment, supplies).
Keep current with prevailing labor market conditions and new developments within local and regional labor markets.
Collaborate with clients to develop a career development support plan supporting career retention and career progression.
Monitor and support clients during job trials and placements through ongoing engagement and support.
Work with the Supervisor to monitor and achieve individual targets, including allocation and expenditure of Jobseeker Financial Supports, job matches, successful transition of job starts to Post-Employment, and client satisfaction.
Continuously engage and support clients with skills development and employment preparation activities, documenting progress in their action plan with up-to-date plan items and real-time case notes.
Complete administrative functions, including scheduling appointments and completing proof of employment documentation.
Administer placement agreements for employer incentives and maintain files to ensure compliance.
Perform additional duties as required to support the role's objectives.