Employment Counsellor

Starting Salary: $57,775 to $58,933. Commensurate with experience
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Toronto Centre
Employment Type: Full-time – one- year contract (with possibility of full-time regular employment)  
Start Date: As soon as possible
Vacancy Type: Existing position

About JVS Toronto
At JVS Toronto, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful career. Since 1947, we’ve empowered thousands of individuals each year through employment, career development, and assessment services across Toronto and York Region. We also partner with businesses to help them find the talent they need to succeed.

As a registered charity, we’re proud to offer many of our services at no cost, thanks to generous funding. Learn more about our impact: www.jvstoronto.org.

Why Join Us?

• Generous Time Off – Start with three weeks of paid vacation, plus paid sick time, personal wellness days, and family-related leave, to support a healthy work–life balance.
• Benefits & Pension Plan – Access a health and dental benefits plan, an Employee Assistance Program, and a defined benefit pension plan with employer contributions. 
• Inclusive & Supportive Culture – Join a collaborative and inclusive organization committed to diversity, equity and belonging.
• Additional Perks – Access corporate discounts and other programs that support your overall well-being.

Eligibility for benefits, pension and time-off programs varies by employment status.

About the Program
The JVS Integrated Employment Services (IES), funded by MLITSD and managed by WCG, provides employment services to unemployed individuals of all ages, financial backgrounds and skills to help them gain and retain employment within their field or a related field. To achieve its goal, the program provides a range of services including one-on-one employment counselling, employment workshops, job development/placement services and job retention supports. In addition, IES collaborates with other programs to ensure efficient and smooth operations through streamlining client referrals to appropriate services.

As an Employment Counsellor you will: 
•    Provide individual employment counselling and program referrals, including the ability to complete common assessments 
•    Assess client needs and develop service plans that demonstrate the coordination of appropriate interventions that support employment goals 
•    Interview and assess clients for the appropriateness for the JVS Toronto programs including Employment Service
•    Demonstrate outcome-focused case management ability; applying knowledge of current local labour market trends, and community services and resources
•    Maintain complete client case files in compliance with the IES model requirements; monitor clients’ progress with ongoing follow-up 
•    Interview and assess clients for a variety of employment backgrounds, including ensuring clients have an appropriate resume, interview readiness, job search skills, etc. 
•    Assist clients in securing and maintaining employment, including advocating for client’s successful placement and job retention
•    Coordinate provision of services with the Job Development team, including advocating for client’s successful placement and job retention
•    Provide clients with information and referral services both internally and externally, and assign financial employment supports
•    Assess, discuss and administer Better Jobs Ontario applications involving a review of eligibility, financial feasibly, etc. 
•    Promote IES, including identifying and supporting opportunities for itinerant services with community partnerships 
•    Inform participants regarding the Internet, social media and other tools for further career training and job search success

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:  
•    Bachelor’s degree or Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling or Social Services with placement experience, or a related degree with 3-5 years of counselling experience. International degrees must be evaluated for Canadian equivalency.
•    1-2 years of recent counselling experience in an Employment Ontario or Integrated Employment Services (IES) environment
•    Demonstrated problem-solving skills
•    Strong verbal and written communication skills
•    Sensitivity to diversity; strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively deal with many personality types
•    Experience using CAMS, Salesforce, CaseFLO/ FFAI
•    Knowledge of the local community
•    Experience providing services to people with disabilities and/or mental illness 
•    Computer literate; the ability to learn systems used by the agency or funder.   
•    A clear Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check is required for this position

Nice to Have:
•    Employment Ontario knowledge and exposure
•    Familiarity with common assessment 
•    Certification from a Career and Work Counsellor program
•    Certification from VRA Canada or ICCI


Ready to Make an Impact?
Apply now with your resume and cover letter!

JVS Toronto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources.

As part of our recruitment process, we may use AI-enabled tools to support resume screening and candidate matching. However, applications are reviewed by a member of our hiring team.

We embrace diversity and encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.