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 ofIndividual Placement and Support (IPS), Foundry Works & Education Programwill provide adaptable, wraparound services to help at-risk youth develop workskills, become competitively employed and realize their education goals.Services are based on the premise that competitive work is a core component ofpersonal recovery and meaningful employment can increase youth’s quality oflife and contribute to improved mental health outcomes. The Foundry Works & Education Program EmploymentSpecialist will join a team of professionals, providing coordinated care toyoung people between the ages of 12-24 in the Central Okanagan.

WHO IS AN EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST?

TheEmployment 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 maintaincompetitive employment or educational training that is meaningful to them. TheEmployment Specialist will foster relationships with employers, educationalinstitutions, and community partners to create inclusive opportunities for workand education.

WHAT DOES AN EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST DO?

- 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 andeducation 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 theiremployment or educational progress
- Utilizing the Individual Placement andSupport (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 andfacilitate unpaid placements and job trials as appropriate
- Network with employersin the Central Okanagan to provide information on the program and explore theirindividual needs as a potential placement source
- Network and informeducational institutions about the program, including schools, colleges, tradeschools and universities
- Engage in jobdevelopment within the community, including negotiating job trials andsubsidies with employers and Employment Services agencies
- Coordinate servicesand facilitate referrals to identified community resources
- Develop and implementaccommodation plans tailored to client needs




- Participate incommunity outreach activities to build cooperative partnerships withemployers and educational institutions
- Provide educationregarding psychological health and safety in the workplace to employers andcommunity partners
- Facilitate groups onemployment related information and skills for participants in the program
- Performs other related duties asassigned

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

- Degree in Social Services, HumanResources, Employment Counselling, or a related field required
- Criminal Record Checkclearance in the Vulnerable Sector
- Valid Class 5 BCdriver’s license
- Reliable vehicle andthe ability to travel within the community to meet clientsand employers on a frequent basis
- Minimum 3 years’relevant experience, preferably in employment rehabilitationwithin mental health contexts
- Formal training in Labour MarketInformation, Job Development, or Employment Counselling considered an asset
- Certificates in FirstAid, CPR and Naloxone considered an asset
- Proficient in verbal and writtencommunication
- Strong advocacy, communication, andinterpersonal skills for collaboration with clients, employers, and communitypartners
- Strong relationship-building skills toengage clients, employers, and community partners
- Ability to provide empathetic supportwhile advocating for clients' needs
- Ability to maintainconsistent professional boundaries
- Proficient inMicrosoft Outlook, Word and Excel
- Familiarity with labor market trendsand employment resources
- Knowledge of psychosocialrehabilitation principles
- Experience using the IndividualPlacement and Support (IPS) model
- Strong attention t

📌 Employment Specialist (Kelowna)
🏢 Canadian Mental Health Association
📍 Kelowna