Employment & Life Skills Coach – Employment & Skills Development team
About the role
*Spanish language fluency is preferred due to high service demand in this language*
Bridges Niagara is searching for a passionate professional with experience providing front-line support to individuals. Reporting to the Manager of Employment & Skills Development programs, the Employment & Life Skills Coach is skilled in empowering others to successfully reach and sustain their employment and training goals, while ensuring client’s needs, assets and barriers are identified and addressed. This role conducts a thorough pre-employment assessment and develops the Employment Action Plan with the client, while operating within a case coordinated/ managed environment. Additionally, the Employment & Life Skills Coach facilitates a variety of pre-employment sessions and/or workshops and provides support to all employment & skills development activities.
The Employment & Life Skills Coach is part of a team of dedicated professionals who provide
client-centred service in ways that are aligned with the organization’s core values. By joining our dynamic team, your work will be meaningful and will have an impact locally and beyond.
Position Summary
● Under the direction of the Manager of Employment & Skills Development programs, the
Employment & Life Skills Coach receives requests for service and/or information, in-person, by phone and by email regarding employment and training services.
● Listens attentively to service/information requests and determines the best course for the provision of individualized service and/or information.
● Verifies eligibility and determines suitability for service/programming; evaluates individual’s needs and priorities; follows established procedures, specifically: case management procedures, documentation and confidentiality.
● Supports clients in a positive and informed manner, while providing sound guidance built on labour market realities and factual research/information.
● Conducts employment assessments and one-on-one sessions; creates and delivers group sessions to meet the needs of clients.
● Assists clients to establish a clearly defined and effective course of action and guides clients in the
development of a career plan. Monitors, motivates and supports clients through to successful
completion of the career plan.
● Provides internal and external referrals to other programs/services as appropriate.
● Quality assurance – prioritizes accuracy and thoroughness in the capturing, organizing, maintaining
and reporting of all client data, forms, statistics and databases.
● Manages caseload statistics and produces reports on a regular basis.
● Keeps apprised of new developments (local/regional) regarding labour market, community resources, training programs, updates to professional licensing procedures and more.
● Takes initiative to work with their team to identify and close service gaps.
Qualifications / Competencies
● Post-secondary education completion, with a minimum of a two-year program, with a focus in Human Services: Social Work/Services, Career Practitioner, Social Justice and Equity, Psychology, Sociology, or another program deemed suitable by the organization.
● Please list in your resume the training (or comparable) you have completed from this list:
Career Counselling, Conflict Resolution, Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behaviour, Mental
Health First Aid, Suicide Intervention, Motivational Counselling, Crisis Counselling, Non-Violent Crisis
Intervention, AntiRacism and Anti-Oppression Capacity Building, Building Inclusive Communities,
LGBTQ2S+ Cultural Competency, Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health, Crisis Prevention and Verbal
De-escalation, Trauma Informed Care Practice, and Emergency First Aid & CPR.
● Minimum of two years’ experience in a front-line, client-centered, case-managed role, with at least one year of experience leading groups preferred.
● Demonstrated understanding of cultural responsiveness, anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices,
empowerment-oriented approaches, client-centered service delivery, and trauma- and violence-informed care.
● Proven ability to develop and sustain community relationships and strategic partnerships.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience participating in and leading meetings and case conferences.
● Strong interpersonal, time management, problem-solving, and motivational counseling skills, supported by a positive and solutions-focused attitude.
● Proficiency in collecting, managing, and reporting data accurately and consistently.
● A collaborative team player who can also work independently, applying creativity and forward-thinking approaches to service delivery.
● Demonstrated technical proficiency in using online platforms for client appointments and group sessions (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), shared workspaces, Google Workspace applications, Microsoft Office and database programs.
At Bridges Niagara Immigrant and Refugee Services, we are committed to fostering a culture that values Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation, as well as Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, as integral approaches that shape all that we do in our organization. We oppose prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination, and aim to ensure that people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences feel a sense of belonging and can contribute to our organization’s dedication to fostering equitable, respectful, and welcoming communities for immigrants and newcomers in Niagara.
We are actively seeking to improve our ability to reach all candidates with our job postings. Applicants
belonging to racialized groups, who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, and/or who have a disability, are therefore welcome to mention this in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.
Application deadline: Wednesday July 16th, 2025, by 4:00 p.m. Apply by email to:
recruitment@bridgesniagara.ca
Please mention the job title in the subject line of your email. Highlight your resume-building expertise, while describing how your experience, education, professional development and career goals align with this position. Interviews will be held in July; candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No inquiries, please.
About Bridges Niagara
Bridges Niagara (previously the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre) is a charitable not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1970, having the mandate to support and assist the ethnocultural and newcomer community in Niagara through a broad range of programs and services.
Our Mission: We celebrate and promote cultural, social and economic inclusion and well-being of all immigrants and newcomers.
Our Vision: We are a gateway to equitable, respectful and welcoming communities for immigrants and newcomers in Niagara.
Employment & Life Skills Coach – Employment & Skills Development team
About the role
*Spanish language fluency is preferred due to high service demand in this language*
Bridges Niagara is searching for a passionate professional with experience providing front-line support to individuals. Reporting to the Manager of Employment & Skills Development programs, the Employment & Life Skills Coach is skilled in empowering others to successfully reach and sustain their employment and training goals, while ensuring client’s needs, assets and barriers are identified and addressed. This role conducts a thorough pre-employment assessment and develops the Employment Action Plan with the client, while operating within a case coordinated/ managed environment. Additionally, the Employment & Life Skills Coach facilitates a variety of pre-employment sessions and/or workshops and provides support to all employment & skills development activities.
The Employment & Life Skills Coach is part of a team of dedicated professionals who provide
client-centred service in ways that are aligned with the organization’s core values. By joining our dynamic team, your work will be meaningful and will have an impact locally and beyond.
Position Summary
● Under the direction of the Manager of Employment & Skills Development programs, the
Employment & Life Skills Coach receives requests for service and/or information, in-person, by phone and by email regarding employment and training services.
● Listens attentively to service/information requests and determines the best course for the provision of individualized service and/or information.
● Verifies eligibility and determines suitability for service/programming; evaluates individual’s needs and priorities; follows established procedures, specifically: case management procedures, documentation and confidentiality.
● Supports clients in a positive and informed manner, while providing sound guidance built on labour market realities and factual research/information.
● Conducts employment assessments and one-on-one sessions; creates and delivers group sessions to meet the needs of clients.
● Assists clients to establish a clearly defined and effective course of action and guides clients in the
development of a career plan. Monitors, motivates and supports clients through to successful
completion of the career plan.
● Provides internal and external referrals to other programs/services as appropriate.
● Quality assurance – prioritizes accuracy and thoroughness in the capturing, organizing, maintaining
and reporting of all client data, forms, statistics and databases.
● Manages caseload statistics and produces reports on a regular basis.
● Keeps apprised of new developments (local/regional) regarding labour market, community resources, training programs, updates to professional licensing procedures and more.
● Takes initiative to work with their team to identify and close service gaps.
Qualifications / Competencies
● Post-secondary education completion, with a minimum of a two-year program, with a focus in Human Services: Social Work/Services, Career Practitioner, Social Justice and Equity, Psychology, Sociology, or another program deemed suitable by the organization.
● Please list in your resume the training (or comparable) you have completed from this list:
Career Counselling, Conflict Resolution, Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behaviour, Mental
Health First Aid, Suicide Intervention, Motivational Counselling, Crisis Counselling, Non-Violent Crisis
Intervention, AntiRacism and Anti-Oppression Capacity Building, Building Inclusive Communities,
LGBTQ2S+ Cultural Competency, Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health, Crisis Prevention and Verbal
De-escalation, Trauma Informed Care Practice, and Emergency First Aid & CPR.
● Minimum of two years’ experience in a front-line, client-centered, case-managed role, with at least one year of experience leading groups preferred.
● Demonstrated understanding of cultural responsiveness, anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices,
empowerment-oriented approaches, client-centered service delivery, and trauma- and violence-informed care.
● Proven ability to develop and sustain community relationships and strategic partnerships.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience participating in and leading meetings and case conferences.
● Strong interpersonal, time management, problem-solving, and motivational counseling skills, supported by a positive and solutions-focused attitude.
● Proficiency in collecting, managing, and reporting data accurately and consistently.
● A collaborative team player who can also work independently, applying creativity and forward-thinking approaches to service delivery.
● Demonstrated technical proficiency in using online platforms for client appointments and group sessions (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), shared workspaces, Google Workspace applications, Microsoft Office and database programs.
At Bridges Niagara Immigrant and Refugee Services, we are committed to fostering a culture that values Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation, as well as Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, as integral approaches that shape all that we do in our organization. We oppose prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination, and aim to ensure that people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences feel a sense of belonging and can contribute to our organization’s dedication to fostering equitable, respectful, and welcoming communities for immigrants and newcomers in Niagara.
We are actively seeking to improve our ability to reach all candidates with our job postings. Applicants
belonging to racialized groups, who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, and/or who have a disability, are therefore welcome to mention this in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.
Application deadline: Wednesday July 16th, 2025, by 4:00 p.m. Apply by email to:
recruitment@bridgesniagara.ca
Please mention the job title in the subject line of your email. Highlight your resume-building expertise, while describing how your experience, education, professional development and career goals align with this position. Interviews will be held in July; candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No inquiries, please.
About Bridges Niagara
Bridges Niagara (previously the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre) is a charitable not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1970, having the mandate to support and assist the ethnocultural and newcomer community in Niagara through a broad range of programs and services.
Our Mission: We celebrate and promote cultural, social and economic inclusion and well-being of all immigrants and newcomers.
Our Vision: We are a gateway to equitable, respectful and welcoming communities for immigrants and newcomers in Niagara.