Job Description

Position Title:

Career Counsellor

Reports To:

Team Lead, Come to Work

I. Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

The Career Counsellor is responsible for evaluating Talent Pool members' education, work history, and career goals, conducting skill assessments, and providing one-on-one coaching to foster development.


The incumbent delivers tools and resources to align participants' skills with career opportunities and supports career transitions, including job retention, internal mobility, and mid-career changes. The Career Counsellor is also responsible for facilitating referrals for additional services, providing labor market insights, and equipping participants with strategies for career advancement and community engagement.

II. Essential Functions

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The position entails, but is not limited to the following general responsibilities:

Evaluate Talent Pool members' education, work history, and career goals to determine their eligibility and fit for Career Quest programming. Conduct assessments of soft and hard skills, identifying strengths and areas for growth, and offer one-to-one coaching to facilitate skill development as necessary. Deliver tools, resources, and information to help participants align their skills with career opportunities. Address career transitions, such as job retention, internal mobility, job dissatisfaction, or mid-career changes due to sight loss. Assess needs for additional services, financial aid, or training and facilitate referrals as appropriate. Provide labor market information, including job openings, industry trends, and skill requirements. Equip participants with strategies for career advancement, confidence building, and community engagement. Promote CNIB's programs and services, ensuring Talent Pool members access opportunities to grow their independence and networks. Build relationships with businesses, industry organizations, and community groups to enhance career planning resources. Represent CNIB at external events, serving as a local ambassador and advocate for sight loss awareness and accessibility. Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, leveraging data to enhance outcomes. Align local initiatives with national and provincial service standards. Handle administrative tasks, including service tracking, benchmarking, and reporting. Act as a liaison with national and regional teams, program participants, and external community partners to achieve program objectives. Collaborate closely with the Team Lead, Come to Work, and the regional and national Come to Work teams. Effectively resolve routine and complex problems using diplomacy, analysis, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Address and resolve program participant and volunteer concerns promptly. Operates independently within the framework of national and regional program guidelines and standards for daily activities. Consults regularly with the Team Lead, Come to Work, for issues requiring escalation. Leads in career counseling and development by educating, advocating, and promoting awareness of sight loss and inclusive practices. Enhances team collaboration by sharing expertise, resources, and best practices.

III. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of delivering clear messages to individuals or large, dispersed audiences. Proven ability to build, develop, and maintain positive relationships with service users and partner organizations. Experience and knowledge of working with individuals with sight loss and/or other disabilities. Understanding of accessibility and societal barriers affecting employment for the sight loss community is an asset. Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook. Familiarity with Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom is an asset. Demonstrated time management, planning, coordination, and organizational skills; proactive in managing multiple projects simultaneously. Strong commitment to and understanding of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Professional, results-driven, strategic, and adaptable approach. Excellent analytical skills with the ability to define and solve problems effectively. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Experience and Education

A University degree in Psychology or relevant field. Minimum 2 years of work experience in a social service, non-profit or other relevant sector. Certified Career Development Practitioner an asset. Personal or professional experience relating to blindness is considered an asset. Personal or professional experience using sight loss related assistive technology is considered an asset

Work Environment

Willingness to work flexible hours. Willingness to work in-person at the office and from home. Willingness to engage in moderate travel and work from different locations.

CNIB is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process