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.
