Description:
The Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS)’s Foreign Credential
Recognition Loans Project ( FCR) has been specifically designed to address particular barriers to
employment faced by skilled newcomer professionals, by offering career and financial counselling and
support services to achieve the following objectives;
- contribute to developing fair, transparent, consistent, and timely foreign credential assessment
and recognition capacity;
- develop and strengthen Canada’s foreign credential assessment and recognition capacity; and
- contribute to improving Labour market integration outcomes of internationally trained
individuals in targeted occupations and sectors.
The Career and Financial Counselor is responsible for both assisting the clients with career planning and
credentialing process, and working closely with clients to determine eligibility and need for financial
assistance, process loan applications, and monitor and follow up with clients.
The Career and Financial Counselor is also responsible for conducting individual career counseling
services to ensure client employment readiness and providing job development services to ensure client
work placements. The Career and Financial Counselor ensures FCR clients become more independent
through achieving and maintaining work in the designated professional sectors.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- communicates with the Program Coordinator to update on project progress and evaluates
results, records activities, and submits reports to the Program Coordinator/Manager;
- provides ongoing support for current and prospective clients;
- meets with clients to obtain information and identify their financial goals in applying for FCR
loans;
- part of the overall PICS WorkBC team and will provide support and services to all WorkBC
Centres throughout Metro Vancouver;
- conducts financial needs assessments with clients and other assessments as required;
- analyzes client's financial status, character, credit, qualifications, and labour market trends to
determine eligibility and feasibility of granting loans;
- processes loan applications and makes a recommendation to Vancity Credit Union;
- develops, reviews, revises and updates action plans according to client needs;
- monitors client payments and performs regular follow-ups with clients to monitor their progress
and provide further assistance as required;
- prepares reports and data collection;
- identifies and builds connections with employers and immigrant service providers to introduce
FCR Loan Project;
- liaising with our partners in this project;
- initiates and maintains ongoing contacts with businesses, industry representatives and
immigrant service organizations;
- collects labour market information for clients regarding job openings, entry and skills
requirements, and other occupational information;
- develops job leads and market clients to potential employers;
- creates connections and networking opportunities; locates work placement openings for clients
based on their skills and abilities; and
- works with clients to improve job performance and gain necessary job skills.
Job Skills and Abilities:
- strong knowledge of local labour market information and methods to maintain a current
understanding of local influences and regional trends;
- strong analytical skills coupled with a high degree of accuracy;
- possesses established connections within the community and with employers;
- excellent verbal and written communications skills;
- strong ability to work with minimal supervision;
- excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients and the
public including potential employers and other service providers;
- competent to accomplish tasks with deadlines & handle stress and pressure;
- willing to take initiative, action & results-oriented, flexible and dedicated to quality work; and
- proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite and Social Media - Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn,
WhatsApp, website etc.
Qualifications/Experience Requirement:
- bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and/or an equivalent combination of experience and
education may be considered;
- minimum 1 year of experience in case management or equivalent;
- minimum 1 year of experience in employment services;
- minimum 1 year of experience in conducting a financial needs assessment;
- experience working with skilled newcomer professionals is an asset; and
- certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) designation a definite asset
Additional Information
- valid driver’s license and access to suitable vehicle is an asset; and
- clean Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector) is required.