Job Description

Wage:

$55,000-60,000

Location:

Kelowna area, with some travel to neighbouring Okanagan Communities

Hours:

F/T, 37.5 hrs/week (Mon-Fri)

Available:

As early as July 16, 2025

Employment Type:

Term Contract until March 31, 2027


The Canucks Autism Network is looking for an

Inclusive Employment Specialist

to help create meaningful job opportunities for Autistic individuals and people with intellectual disabilities in the Kelowna area.


About Canucks Autism Network


Canucks Autism Network (CAN) is a charitable organization dedicated to providing programs for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, while promoting acceptance and inclusion through community engagement and training initiatives across BC. Our vision is for every individual on the autism spectrum to be understood, accepted, and supported in all community spaces.


Canucks Autism Network is a provincial delivery partner of Ready Willing and Able (RWA).

About Ready, Willing and Able

Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) is a national initiative led by Inclusion Canada and the Autism Alliance of Canada. Funded by the Government of Canada, RWA helps inclusive hiring by:

Supporting employers to inclusively hire people with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum Connecting businesses with candidates supported by employment service agencies in their communities Promoting inclusive employment across Canada

About the Opportunity


The Inclusive Employment Specialist reports to the Director of Employment Programs and Services. The Inclusive Employment Specialist is responsible for local delivery of the RWA initiative in their community by:


The role is key to RWA's goal of creating meaningful job opportunities in the competitive labour market for people with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum. While the Inclusive Employment Specialist's main focus is in Kelowna and the surrounding Okanagan regions, they may also work with businesses and agencies in other parts of the province or territory - especially when working with national employers.

Increasing employer capacity and demand to hire people on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability Connecting employers with agencies that support job seekers on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability Building strong partnerships with businesses and industry sector groups Working closely with community-based employment agencies, as well as local disability organizations

Key Functions

Conduct business outreach & engagement across various sectors and industries to promote the value of inclusive hiring. Engage employers to diversify their hiring practices and expand recruitment and hiring of people on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability. Link hiring demand to qualified talent pool & build community capacity to support job seekers and employees on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability. Develop partnerships with community employment agencies and developmental service organizations to identify job seekers to fill open roles. Identify partnership opportunities with community organizations that help with long-term strategies like employer confidence, career planning, peer networks, entrepreneurship, and inclusive post-secondary education. Develop and deliver presentations and information tools for business groups to promote the value of inclusive hiring. Collect and document stories of successful hires. Ensure adequate and ongoing information dissemination, development of tools and resources, and development and delivery of public awareness efforts. Participate in national RWA communication and marketing campaign activities, including use of social media, LinkedIn, etc. Attend monthly national RWA team conference calls. Liaise and maintain working relationship with RWA national team and provincial partners. Meet all reporting and documentation requirements of the national RWA program, including but not limited to completion of quarterly reporting and maintenance of client management data base. Other duties as required and/or assigned.

Requirements

Education & Experience

Education in related field such as human resources, marketing, disability studies, social services or 2 years of combined experience and knowledge in working with people with disabilities Experience supporting individuals on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability is an asset Obtain a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Commitment to full inclusion for people on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability, including the right to employment and economic participation in the community. Demonstrates understanding of the employment barriers that people on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability face in accessing the labour market Strong knowledge of the local labour market issues and trends. Experience in sales or marketing is an asset Excellent presentation, facilitation, and public speaking skills. Strong time management and organization skills. Proficient with using Microsoft Office, including Teams Experience using client management tracking tools is an asset Must be able to travel throughout Kelowna and surrounding Okanagan communities Occasional evening and weekend work required Ability to maintain confidential information * Valid BC Driver's license and access to a vehicle preferred