YWCA BC’s Tech Connect is a program that provides employment services to Racialized Newcomer Women seeking work in the information technology (IT) sector, emphasizing increased racial equity and social inclusion of newcomers in the local labour market. The program provides participants with the following components: outreach information and orientation; networking events with alums, tech industry employers, and guest speakers; employment coaching; workshops and mentorship opportunities; and Indigenous newcomer connections.
Participants will receive access to childcare, transportation support, and digital support.
Reporting to the Manager of Tech Connect, the Career Advisor works directly with racialized newcomer women to support their career development by expanding their professional networks and leveraging knowledge of newcomer experiences in the labour market. The role involves delivering one-on-one and group-based skills-building.

What you’ll be doing:   

• Actively participate in recruitment, the participant intake process, needs assessments, eligibility screening, registration, and referrals to community services.
• Build employer relations to support job placements for the program participants
• Implement mentor recruitment, reaching out to tech industry professionals and onboarding new mentors and guest speakers
• Stay informed about hiring trends and initiatives to support newcomer job seekers.
• Conduct career assessments and planning for racialized newcomer women seeking IT sector opportunities.
• Engage with local community members, employers, tech sector contributors, and program partners to enhance the program's visibility and impact.
• Engage with internal programs and external settlement services to provide integrated support for participants.
• Accurate record keeping and reporting on iCare templates
• Capture and maintain accurate, timely participant records while upholding strict confidentiality.
• Collaborate with initiatives such as YWCA's Engage Mentorship Program, Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants, WorkBC, and other services for newcomers, refugees, and immigrants.
• Represent the program at events and actively engage with tech employers to foster partnerships and create placement opportunities for participants.
• Assist in curriculum development and workshop design, seeking regular feedback through participant surveys to improve services.
• Facilitate employability and job search workshops, and other participant activities in person and virtually, using hybrid technology, including various online tools, e.g. Learning Management Systems (LMSs), ERS, etc.
• Apply a participant-centred approach with an intersectional trauma-informed GBA+ lens to all participant interactions and activities.
• Encourage participant engagement in tech industry events, hiring fairs and job postings.
• Engage with the program's alumnae community through email, phone, Zoom meetings, and LinkedIn; connect participants with alumnae, professional groups and tech sector employers for informational interviews, industry insights, learning opportunities and job leads.
• Able to handle a large caseload of clients with multiple barriers.
• Facilitate mentor-mentee matches, from introductions to follow-up, including informational interviews.
• Participate in weekly case conferences to discuss participant and employer matters, such as participants' evolving job search needs and supporting their pursuit of sustainable careers that align with their tech skills and experience.
• Regular reporting on participant progress to the Program Manager, including employment status, connections, mentorship matches and job shadowing opportunities.
• Contribute to project outcomes and improvement through participant surveys and success stories; assisting the Program Manager with narrative reporting as needed.
• Support in researching and securing tech placements for participants and maintaining employer relationships.
• Collaborate with staff, leaders, and colleagues to advance the YWCA's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager and YWCA's marketing team to ensure the program's social media presence accurately reflects its vibrancy, while remaining current for marketing, outreach, and engagement purposes.
• Maintain accurate mentorship records, including outreach and matching activities.
• Contribute to special projects and other duties as assigned.
 

What you’ll need: 

A post-secondary certificate, degree, or diploma in a relevant field (e.g., career or employment development, vocational rehabilitation, social work, psychology, sociology, human services, counselling, education, or human resources management).
• Strong employer and community connections
• 1-2 years of demonstrated work experience delivering facilitation, career coaching, career advising, and/or placement services
• Strong understanding of the unique challenges faced by racialized newcomer women in the labour market, particularly in the tech sector, with an ability to apply an intersectional trauma-informed GBA+ lens in all participant interactions
• Proven ability to engage and build long-term relationships with employers, identifying job opportunities and placements, and fostering industry partnerships.
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative, prioritize, plan, and manage tasks to deliver timely, effective results.
• Strong professional communication and research skills with keen attention to detail.
• Effective relationship builder with a proven track record in establishing connections and networking.
• Skilled facilitator experienced in engaging newcomer self-identifying women in virtual and in-person small to medium groups.
• Proven experience in delivering employment programs for racialized newcomer women, including mentorship, employment recruiting, and career coaching.
• Strong computer skills, including SharePoint, MS Teams, Zoom, LMS, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Forms, Eventbrite, and online platforms.
• Advanced social media skills for participants' job search (e.g., LinkedIn).
• A second language will be considered an asset.
• Proficiency in hybrid learning models and learning management systems (LMS), with a strong ability to use digital platforms for both in-person and virtual program delivery
• Willingness to travel within Metro Vancouver for employer outreach and meetings.
• Must be able to work at the physical office location during office hours to deliver in-person participant services.
• Commitment to YWCA BC’s mission and values, including supporting racialized newcomer women and promoting equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility
• A valid, clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.
  
What we offer:  

We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total rewards package:  

•    Extended medical and dental benefits    
•    A defined benefit pension plan (MPP)  
•    Pregnancy, parental and adoption leave top up 
•    22 vacation days and 3 personal days, in addition to paid sick leave.
•    Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions   
•    Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members   
•    A workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety and well-being, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our employee mentorship program and three equity committees that help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.  
•    Free staff membership to our Health + Fitness Centre  
•    Discounts at our YWCA Hotel   
•    Priority in YWCA Child Care centres   

Pay Rate: $31.16