Lead Career Advisor, Youth Program

Details

Status

Regular Full-time – 35 hours a week (5 days a week)

Location

Kelowna, BC

Posting Period

January 13, 2026 - February 10, 2026

In support of British Columbia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s (SDPR) mandate to address intergenerational poverty, the Next Step program aims to empower youth aged 16 to 30 who are either BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) clients or are from families with a dependency on BCEA to break the cycle of poverty by providing a holistic approach that includes skills training, pre-employment support and comprehensive wraparound services.

Next Step will engage youth experiencing poverty through a community-centered approach, working closely with local service providers and poverty serving agencies who support families and youth on BCEA.

YWCA Next Step is delivered in a hybrid program model with both in-person and virtual delivery for youth, 16-30 years of age, facing multiple barriers to obtaining employment and/or further education. The 12-week program offers life skills, employability skills, peer support, community connections, financial assistance, and wrap-around services in a safe environment to provide youth the structure needed to set and move forward towards their goals.

In collaboration with a Research Consultant, Next Step will identify best practices through comprehensive research and evaluation, assessing the effectiveness of various approaches and pinpointing key factors that drive successful employment and educational outcomes for youth.

Provide leadership, guidance and enhanced support to the Kelowna team to ensure the program is delivered effectively and meets its objectives working with the Next Step Manager located in Metro Vancouver.

Build and nurture relationships with youth aged 16-30, creating a supportive and inclusive environment

Conduct intakes and assessments to determine eligibility, as well as assess risk and protective factors

Assist participants in developing actionable plans that identify short- and long-term goals and address barriers to engagement, using a strength-based approach

Offer referrals to participants for resources such as employment, housing, mental health, substance use, education, finances, food, and other areas of need

Address and provide appropriate support for potential behavioral, mental health, emotional, or substance use situations

Ensure accurate client records are maintained, while upholding client confidentiality at all times

Assist youth in accessing external community supports and accompany them if needed to ensure successful engagement

Support youth in building resumes, crafting cover letters, preparing for interviews, and developing effective job search strategies

Attend scheduled meetings with program staff to discuss program updates, share feedback, and address participant needs

Foster collaboration with the community and YWCA for referrals and client recruitment, ensuring the program remains impactful

Provide support to the research consultant by coordinating access to relevant program data, demographic information, and other required resources, ensuring they have the tools needed for successful analysis and reporting

Develop and facilitate workshops on employability and job search topics, utilizing hybrid technology for both in-person and virtual delivery

Stay informed on labor market trends, job postings, employment issues, community resources, education planning, volunteer opportunities, and other relevant employment-related supports

Perform additional administrative and program-related tasks a required

Passion for working with youth who face barriers to employment

Relevant post-secondary education and/or combination of relevant education and work experience

Proven experience working with youth and/or families living in poverty and dependent on BCEA

Comprehensive knowledge of social determinants of health and trauma informed practices

Strong leadership qualities with the ability to provide guidance and mentoring to team members when needed

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated group…