Open Door Group (ODG), a mission-driven non-profit organization serving communities across Canada, is looking for an Employment Specialist to join our team!
Wage: $32.04 to $33.83 per hour, Grid 31 Health Sciences Association Community Bargaining Agreement
Status: Permanent
Schedule: This position will have flex-time scheduling. This means that the staff will work 72 hours over a two week period. Employees are expected to provide availability to work evenings or weekends as needed to best meet the needs of their clients.
Location: A combination of Community Outreach in the Lower Mainland area and working out of our Thrive location at 300-1338 West Broadway. A valid BC Driver's License and access to a reliable vehicle is required.
Internal Posting closing date: July 14, 2026
Your Role:
As an Employment Specialist, you will support participants in pursuing meaningful employment, volunteer, training, and career development opportunities as part of their individual recovery journey, helping to build confidence, independence, social inclusion, and community connection.
This unique IPS-informed role combines employment services and leisure, wellness, and employment programming to support individuals living with mental health and substance use challenges. Approximately 3 days per week will focus on individualized employment support, while 2 days will be dedicated to designing and facilitating engaging group programs, such as cooking, walking, wellness, life skills, and recreation and leisure-based workshops that build confidence, skills, community connection, and pathways to employment.
Day-to-day, you’ll support participants in identifying and pursuing employment, volunteer, education, and career goals through individualized employment planning, job search support, employer engagement, and job retention services. Working collaboratively with Recreation Therapists, you will also design and facilitate therapeutic recreation and life-skills programming that supports recovery, skill development, community connection, and employment readiness.
You will participate in integrated service planning and deliver services in community, workplace, educational, and group settings. With a smaller caseload of approximately 20 participants, this role allows for intensive individualized support, meaningful employer engagement, and the integration of IPS-informed employment services with therapeutic recreation programming.
Unlike traditional Employment Specialist roles, this position maintains a smaller active caseload, allowing for more intensive individualized support, community-based service delivery, program development and facilitation, integrated planning with interdisciplinary teams, and meaningful employer engagement. This unique role combines IPS-informed employment services with therapeutic recreation programming to support recovery, community inclusion, and sustainable employment outcomes.
Please see the full job description for a detailed description of the responsibilities included in this position. Full posting and job description are available here: Careers at Open Door Group
Why Open Door Group?
Champion of Great Workplaces: ODG proudly holds the title of one of Canada's Certified Great Places to Work, fostering a culture of compassion and authenticity. Join a team that values your unique contribution and believes in the boundless potential of every individual.
Competitive Compensation and Benefits: As a Certified Living Wage Employer, ODG is committed to offering more than just a job. Enjoy a comprehensive 100% employer-paid benefits package and enrollment in the Municipal Pension Plan. Your well-being matters, and we provide an Employee and Family Assistance program to support you.
Community Impact: Be part of an organization that goes beyond the conventional, providing tailored employment services to build strong workforce ecosystems and thriving communities. Your work will directly contribute to the social and economic well-being of the community.
What you bring to the position:
If you meet most of the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, we encourage you to apply. We recognize that there are many pathways to developing the skills and experience needed for success in this role. We value transferable skills, diverse backgrounds, and relevant lived experience, and will consider equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience.
Education & Experience:
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Diploma in Social Sciences or a relevant discipline, and
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Recent, related experience of three (3) years in a helping profession supporting individuals with disabilities and complex barriers, or
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An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Skills and Abilities
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Understanding of recovery-oriented and person-centred approaches when supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
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Ability to identify and build upon participant strengths, interests, skills, and aspirations to support individualized employment goals.
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Ability to develop and maintain employer relationships and identify employment opportunities aligned with participant interests and strengths.
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Knowledge of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) principles or experience working within IPS-informed employment models is considered an asset.
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Ability to develop and facilitate leisure, wellness, employment, and life-skills programs that support recovery and community engagement.
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Strong group facilitation skills, including the ability to foster participation and create inclusive, welcoming environments.
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Ability to foster positive relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, resolve conflicts diplomatically, and maintain composure under pressure.
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Knowledge of employment barriers, job search strategies, and career development theories and principles.
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Understanding of disability-related employment needs and accommodations.
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Knowledge of local labour market trends and in-demand occupations.
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Knowledge of community resources and wrap-around supports.
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Time management skills combined with the ability to prioritize, strong organizational skills.
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Attention to detail and accuracy in maintaining client records.
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Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Certifications:
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Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (can be acquired after hire)
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Mental Health First Aid Training (can be acquired after hire)
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Motivational Interviewing Training and Certification are considered an asset.
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Trauma-Informed Practice Training and Certification are considered an asset.
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CCDP Certification is considered an asset.
Additional Requirements
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Valid Driver's License and satisfactory driver’s abstract required
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Access to a reliable personal vehicle for regular community travel.
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Required to complete and maintain a satisfactory criminal record.
Open Door Group values diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive work environment. We are looking for qualified individuals who represent, at all job levels, the diversity of the people we serve and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, individuals of all genders and sexual orientation, origin and ethnic affiliations, disability, age, and religion
We strive to ensure an accessible experience for candidates. If you require an alternative method to submit your application, please contact us toll-free at 1 866 377 3670 and ask to speak with an HR representative, or you can email us at [email protected]
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Thank you for your interest in joining the Open Door Group team!
