Location: YMCA Immigrant Services
Program: Employment and Education
Position Status: Full-Time, Contract until March 31, 2028
Compensation: $43,000 – $46,000
There is potential inside all of us – we all have it in
us to shine.
Every charity exists to help solve a problem – our charity
exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation,
mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is
spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most
urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible
childcare, supporting an increasing immigrant population, safe spaces for youth
to grow and lead, helping to navigate a precarious labour market, delivering
wellness programming for all, and creating community for isolated older adults.
We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to
discover their inner strength. When they know someone's in their corner, with
unconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thought
possible. It's your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite
their full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthy
communities.
With us at their side, they can Shine On.
As part of your total compensation:
- Receive
a complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
- Access
to Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your own
home
- Discounts
on YMCA childcare and camp programs
- 3
weeks' Vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
- Comprehensive
benefits package and pension
- Complimentary
wellbeing and counselling services
About the Role
Reporting to the Program Coordinator of Employment and
Education Program, the Employment Counsellor will assist internationally
trained newcomer professionals in working towards employment in the field of
Early Childhood Education.
In this position, the successful candidate will be
responsible for the recruitment and selection of participants, implementing and
facilitating pre-employment workshops and training related to the childcare
field, as well as establishing partnerships with local childcare providers to
secure paid work placements for the participants of the program. This role
requires a dynamic individual with experience working with diverse communities,
strong facilitation and recruitment skills, and a passion for working with and
empowering newcomers.
In this role, you will:
- Implement
and facilitate the Bridge to Work program, according to program guidelines
- Build
relationships with participants, employers and community agencies
- Outreach
and execute the recruitment of potential candidates for the program
- Assess
clients' employment and education needs through various assessment tools
to determine eligibility and acceptance into the program
- Develop,
facilitate, deliver and co-ordinate pre-employment training sessions
- Work
with childcare providers to secure paid work placements for participants
- Provide
ongoing support to participants, and childcare providers through regular
phone or electronic contact
- Conduct
site visits to monitor placements, job performance and client training
plan progress
- Provide
effective follow-up and support based on the clientele needs
- Maintain
accurate, up-to-date client files and documentation in client database
- Assists
with administrative support, as required
- Attend
workshops, training, conferences, and staff meetings, as required
- Make
client referrals to other community programs and services, as needed
- Take
Initiative, solve problems and work with limited supervision
Education and Skills Qualifications:
- Post
secondary degree or diploma in Employment Counseling, Early Childhood
Education, Social Services Work and/or possess equivalent education and
work experience
- Demonstrated
experience working with participants of various cultural and racial
backgrounds with positive outcomes
- Demonstrated
facilitation skills
- Strong
employer recruitment skills with well-developed networking abilities
- Experience
in conducting thorough intakes and assessments
- Self-motivated
and able to work well independently and in a team
- Experience
& knowledge of Employment Training programs and/or the apprenticeship
system
- Experience
in job development/marketing and employment counselling
- Advanced
skills utilizing all Microsoft Office Applications including Word,
Outlook, Power Point and Excel
- Excellent
English communication skills, written and verbal
- Knowledge
of childcare policies an asset
- Excellent
interpersonal and written communication skills
- Strong
organization and time-management skills
- This
position requires conducting site visits to monitor placements; therefore,
a reliable method of transportation on a regular basis is required.
To Apply
Please apply online at https://ymcahfx.ca/workwithus/ by
Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Please note that all successful candidates are required to
provide:
- Criminal
Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Registry Check
(less than 6 months old), if 18 years of age or older
- Attend
Child Safeguarding Training upon hire
Please note, background checks are reviewed on an individual
basis – offenses, if any, are based on role and Child Safeguarding
requirements, and may not eliminate candidates from employment at our YMCA.
At the YMCA, we are committed to fostering a diverse,
inclusive, and equitable workplace where every team member feels valued,
respected, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We
believe that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich our
organization, enabling us to better serve our community and achieve our
mission.
As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications
from individuals of all backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, People of
Colour, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, people
with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups,
foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
If you require accommodation during the hiring process,
please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate
accommodation.
