Employment Specialist

CMHA Kelowna & District is hiring a full-time Employment Specialist to jointhe Foundry Kelowna Team. This position offers 37.5 hours per week, with atypical work week of Monday – Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm with Thursday shifts of11am-7pm.

The aim of the Foundry Works & Education Program is to supportBC young people with their work and study goals. Guided by the evidence-based principles of Individual Placement and Support (IPS), Foundry Works & Education Program will provide flexible, wraparound services to help at-risk youth develop work skills, become competitively employed and realize their education goals.

Services are based on the premise that competitive work is a core component of personal recovery and meaningful employment can increase youth’s quality oflife and contribute to improved mental health outcomes. The Foundry Works & Education Program Employment Specialist will join a team of professionals, providing coordinated care toyoung people between the ages of 12-24 in the Central Okanagan.

The Employment Specialist within the Foundry Works Program provides individualized,intensive vocational and educational support services to youth clients facingmental health challenges. This position aims to help clients find and maintain competitive employment or educational training that is meaningful to them. The Employment Specialist will foster relationships with employers, educational institutions, and community partners to create inclusive opportunities for workand education.

• Assess clients'employment and education readiness and identify viable options
• Managing a caseload,assisting young people to overcome their barriers to finding meaningfulemployment or educational opportunities
• Provide job and education coaching to support clients in maintaining quality, accuracy, andwork/educational requirements
• Offer intensive jobretention support and advocate on behalf of youth clients when necessary
• Provide job and education crisissupport as needed, helping clients navigate challenges that may impact their employment or educational progress
• Utilizing the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model, develop and implementpersonalized employment and education plans based on assessments
• Plan courses of actionconsidering clients' physical tolerances and the impact of mental health onemployability/educational participation
• Recommend and facilitate unpaid placements and job trials as appropriate
• Network with employersin the Central Okanagan to provide information on the program and explore their individual needs as a potential placement source
• Network and informeducational institutions about the program, including schools, colleges, tradeschools and universities
• Engage in job development within the community, including negotiating job trials and subsidies with employers and Employment Services agencies
• Coordinate service sand facilitate referrals to identified community resources
• Develop and implementaccommodation plans tailored to client needs
• Participate in community outreach activities to build collaborative partnerships with employers and educational institutions
• Provide education regarding psychological health and safety in the workplace to employers and community partners
• Facilitate groups on employment related information and skills for participants in the program
• Performs other related duties as assigned

• Degree in Social Services, Human Resources, Employment Counselling, or a related field required
• Criminal Record Check clearance in the Vulnerable Sector
• Valid Class 5 BCdriver’s license
• Reliable vehicle andthe ability to travel within the community to meet clients and employers on a frequent basis
• Minimum 3 years’relevant experience, preferably in employment rehabilitationwithin mental health contexts
• Formal training in Labour Market Information, Job Development, or Employment Counselling considered an asset
• Certificates in First Aid, CPR and Naloxone considered an asset
• Proficient in verbal and written communication
• Strong advocacy, communication, and interpersonal skills for collaboration with clients, employers, and community partners
• Strong relationship-building skills toengage clients, employers, and community partners
• Ability to provide empathetic support while advocating for clients' needs
• Ability to maintain consistent professional boundaries
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Familiarity with labor market trendsand employment resources
• Knowledge of…