Apatisiwin Employment Counsellor

POSITION TITLE: Apatisiwin Employment Counsellor

OJECTIVES:To undertake the development of the UNFC Employment Program initiative in the Friendship Centre community and provide support to clients who are seeking employment and training services. Be fully aware of related employment policies, programs, and procedures and understand the nature and criteria of program interventions delivered through the Urban Indigenous (off reserve) component. Supporting Youth & Adults.  

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY: To implement trauma-informed and strengths-based cultural approaches to address community-based mental health and wellbeing concerns.

QUALIFICATIONS
-Relevant post-secondary education in the field of Social Services, Career and Employment Coach or Employment & Training Certification.
-1-2 years’ experience in Social Services, employment and training initiatives.
–Must be proficient with Finance Management/Excel Spread sheets and balancing program budgets
-Knowledge and experience in Indigenous community development.
-Accepting, supportive and sensitive to the Anishinaabe culture and practices; smudging, ceremony, drumming, etc.
-Knowledge in theory, principles and practices of career transition, counselling, career development and resume/cover letter writing.
-Experience in group facilitation and interview skills.
-Familiarity with available community resources in the service delivery area.
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
-Superior computer skills (Word/Excel).
-Experience in report writing.
-Knowledge and experience working with Indigenous culture and language an asset.
-Ability to work independently.
-Superior ability to multi-task and work within deadlines under minimum supervision.
-Excellent time management, planning and teamwork skills.
-Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Support and prepare Indigenous & non-indigenous people in attaining their education, employment, and training goals through funded and non-funded program interventions. Develop or further enhance contacts within the community that will support the UNFC Employment program, partnerships and clients.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Provision of Client Services

1.  Potential clients are evaluated or assessed using a client career needs assessment, interview, or other tool; some clients will require only minimum levels of services through a “non-funded” Intervention.
2. Assess client employability, to identify strengths as well as central barriers to job-readiness.
3. Assist with information pertaining to school requirements, bursaries, scholarships, internships, summer experience programs and information relating to specific training requirements for other programs.
4. Through Intake, Employment Counselling and Action Plan development, the Employment Counsellor may determine a “funded” Intervention eligibility and feasibility for the client.
5. All clients who receive interventions, funded or non-funded are assigned a Unique Client ID in the Integrated Database. Follow-up, monitoring and reporting of outcomes are required for all clients.
6. Complete an EI Verification prior to assigning a Client Fund Type.
7. Be aware of other community resources that are available to assist clients in realizing their employment goals; this relates to non-duplicating services already available within the community.
8. Market clients to employers when appropriate for some interventions.
9. Other duties as required.
10.  

Monitoring and follow up with Clients

1. Monitor, report back, and follow up on all client Interventions as detailed in the Program Description.
2. Maintain an up-to-date record of attendance for clients while on an intervention and administer any payment deductions based on absences.
3. Conduct client and employer follow-ups to ensure that interventions are complete or still in progress.

Reporting

1. Comply with all reporting requirements as per Service Canada’s reporting guidelines.
2. Correspondence and activities involving the client must be recorded in the case notes section of the client file and input into the IDB.
3. Provide quarterly financial, statistical, narrative and client information reports to OFIFC.

Contracting and Financial Records Keeping

1. Employment Counsellor’s lead responsibility is creating, maintaining, protecting, and closing all contracts. Contract management may be done in collaboration with the Finance Department, a manager or Executive Director. 
2. Specific activities related to Contract and Financial records keeping include: 
   1. Collect Social Insurance Number and Universal Consent Forms for all clients
   1. Ensure all sections of intake and contracts are completed and signed in full before the intervention begins
   1. Ensure client files are maintained and protected as required by the terms and conditions set out.
3. Reconciling program funding/expenditures monthly, quarterly & annually with Finance Department.

Partnership Activities/Relationship Building

1. Actively seek out partnerships to leverage resources, support program activities and improve clients’ outcomes in achieving employment goals.
2. Promote the Employment program and partnerships in the local community.
3. Network and partner with other Friendship Centres/Delivery Sites, Indigenous organizations, employers, employment agencies, etc., related to employment and training matters.
4. Increase community awareness of the Employment Program by developing and designing program promotion material.
5.  

Workshops & Presentations

1. Develop and maintain a workshop/presentation calendar.
2. Coordinate and facilitate workshops/presentations on employment related topics, in collaboration with other UNFC programs or independently.
3. Promote workshops/presentations to increase participation.
4. Plan and coordinate logistics for workshops (venue, meals, accommodations, etc.).
5. Coordinate and prepare materials for workshops/presentations.
6. Evaluate workshops and presentations to support future planning.
7.  

Administrative Duties

1. Exercise confidentiality of participant information as per Privacy Act.
2. Maintain participant files in a locked filing cabinet.
3. Increase community awareness of the Employment program by developing and designing program promotional material.
4. Develop and maintain employer and participant contact lists.
5. Participate in Employment training sessions.
6. Understand terms and conditions of the Employment program.
7. Be familiar with all Employment Program forms.
8. Be familiar with all Employment Program policies and procedures.
9. Performs other related duties as assigned.

As an Indigenous employer, the United Native Friendship Centre encourages Indigenous applicants. We offer a generous benefits package and pension for all full time employees along with many other advantages.

If you have questions regarding the above postings, please contact our Human Resource Manager, Karen Chowhan or our Executive Director, Sheila McMahon at 274-8541 or email humanresources@unfc.org and executivedirector@unfc.org

To submit your resume, please send your cover letter, resume and three work-related references to:
Personnel Selection Committee
United Native Friendship Centre
P.O. Box 752, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3N1 or drop off at 427 Mowat Avenue, Fort Fr