Location

Tri-cities, with travel across Metro Vancouver

Posting Period

March 26, 2026 - April 6, 2026

###Job Description

TheAxis Program, a YWCA BC program funded by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, provides up to 12 weeks of one-to-one, trauma-informed, first-language employment support. YWCA BC has received funding for the ‘AXIS Community and Mentorship Initiative’, a 2-year research project to develop and evaluate a new mentorship model. This model is designed to support participants who may experience fear of reprisal, stigma, or safety concerns which are barriers that often limit their confidence in seeking employment support. By testing this innovative approach, the project will explore how longer-term, trust-based networks can foster sustained progress toward employment and offer a potentially cost-effective model for supporting this population.

Reporting to the Senior Operations Manager (SOM) for the Survivors of Violence (SOV) Hub,the Career Advisorwill work as part of a team providing participants with a safe space to learn and understand the impact of violence and abuse on employability. TheCareer Advisorwill assist participants in overcoming the impacts of trauma and move from surviving to thriving.

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide specialized employment services following an individual service-based model to support participants who identify as visible minority women Survivors of Violence and/or Abuse and Trauma Survivors.

• Ensure safety plans and basic needs are in place, and work with participants to refer to counselling, community resources and other referrals as appropriate.

• Through a trauma-informed practice, support participants with different needs, backgrounds, learning styles and employment goals.

• Develop Individualized Client Action Plans and provide key resources to support client goals.

• Facilitate soft skills training, employment readiness, essential skills (e.g., developing skills in building healthy boundaries, time management, confidence, resilience and coping).

• Provide job search coaching; assist participants in identifying and overcoming employment barriers, setting realistic career goals, and creating and following action plans.

• Assist participants with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and labour market information and trend research.

• Work collaboratively within the community and YWCA BC to create resource partnerships addressing issues related to violence, abuse, trauma.

• Conduct specialized outreach in the community to recruit participants to engage in services.

• Work collaboratively within the wider YWCA ecosystem to ensure optimization of cross referrals.

• Assist participants to access the Single Parents Employment Initiative and wider WorkBC services where eligible.

• Participate in weekly case conferencing with program staff to discuss participant and employer issues, and placement opportunities.

• Maintain accurate participant records and confidentiality, as per YWCA and CARF International standards

• Provide outcome reporting for the service stream(s), according to the schedule set by the Hub SOM; provide supplemental information to stakeholders and others (e.g., program researchers, YWCA leadership) as requested.

• Liaise with other community and external stakeholders to promote and engage issues specific to immigrant women who are survivors of violence.

• Recruit employers for work experience engagement and activities, job openings through internal resources, cold calls and emails; screen potential employee referrals for employers.

• Other duties as required.

What you’ll need:

• Relevant post-secondary education and/or a combination of relevant education and work experience; and 1-2 years combined experience in Career Advising/Employment Counselling.

• Proficiency in English, Mandarin and Cantonese Languages

• Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable populations and delivering a trauma-informed approach

• Comprehensive understanding of issues and barriers faced by survivors of violence, including immigrant and refugee women.

• Strong understanding of, and commitment to continuously developing, community resources and wraparound supports available to program participants.

• Certification or training such as ‘Bridges to Safety’ or other relevant training for trauma informed practices.

• Proficiency in Zoom and Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Word, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

• Must be able to work in person during office hours at the YWCA program location.

• A valid Criminal Record Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) is required.

Assets (nice-to-have):

• Experience working in a hub-based, multi-site, or multi-stream operational structure.
• Lived experience relevant to the communities served is considered an asset.
• CCDP or other relevant certification.

What we offer:

We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of theirtotal 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

• Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members

• Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions

• 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 Hotel Willo

• Priority in YWCA Child Care centres

Pay rate as of April 1, 2026: $31.94 per hour

##How to Apply

If you're seeking a workplace where your values align with your work, and where every voice drives meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your**resume and cover letter****noting the name of the position applied to,**by April 6th, 2026, by 5pm, to:

Melanie Mageau, Associate Director, Employment and Community Programs

**Email:**employment@ywcabc.org

No phone calls please

We’re committed to increasing representation and equity across our organization. We strongly encourage applications from women, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities and others from marginalized communities. We’re also focused on creating leadership opportunities for Indigenous, Black, and gender-diverse individuals. If you'd like to learn more about our inclusive culture before applying, feel free to contact our Equity and Engagement Manager at people@ywcabc.org

Accessibility is a priority for us. If you need any accommodations to apply or have questions about the process, please reach out to the hiring manager listed. We make hiring decisions based on qualifications, transferable skills, lived experience and organizational needs. Thank you to everyone who applies — only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Want to learn more about working at the YWCA? Explore ourcareers page.

We respectfully acknowledge that our main office and many of our programs are located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and that our work across British Columbia spans the territories of more than 200 First Nations. We also acknowledge the First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples who live in our communities.

YWCA BC is committed to truth and reconciliation. This includes understanding the truth and impact of our shared colonial history, making positive changes within our organization and taking actions that advance safety, justice and equity for Indigenous peoples.