Employment Pathway Coordinator

Position Type: Full time (37.5 hours/week), (Contract – 6 Months)
Compensation: $29,250 / Annual
Location: Unit 1B, 700 Industrial Avenue, Ottawa, ON
Reports to: Snr. Program Manager, Furniture Bank
Application Deadline: May 20th, 2026

About Matthew House Ottawa

Since 2010, Matthew House Ottawa has housed hundreds of refugee claimants and provided quality furniture to more than 20,000 people through our furniture bank program. We have done this with a large, dedicated team of volunteers and employees, with a lot of passion and commitment.

Position Summary

The Employment Pathway Coordinator is responsible for the implementation and delivery of the Furniture Bank Integrated Skills & Employment Pathway, a Community Economic Development (CED)-funded initiative. This role supports individuals facing barriers to employment including newcomers, refugees, and low-income residents by providing structured access to skills training, hands-on work experience, and employment opportunities.

In addition to project-specific coordination, this role serves as a lead for volunteer outreach and engagement within the Furniture Bank. By cultivating a robust network of community partners and engaged volunteers, the coordinator ensures a supportive social enterprise environment that facilitates participant success and program sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Program Implementation & Coordination

  • Lead the execution of the 6-month employment pathway program in alignment with grant objectives and timelines

  • Coordinate participant intake, onboarding, and orientation (target: up to 20 participants)

  • Develop individualized employment and training plans for participants

  • Monitor program delivery to ensure milestones and outcomes are achieved

Volunteer Engagement & Team Coordination

  • Lead the recruitment, orientation, and training of Furniture Bank volunteers, ensuring a steady pipeline of support for the social enterprise.

  • Coordinate volunteer schedules and task assignments across warehouse, workshop, and client service functions.

  • Integrate volunteers into the employment pathway as technical mentors or peer supporters for program participants.

  • Implement volunteer recognition and retention strategies to maintain a highly engaged team.

Community Outreach & Engagement

  • Build and maintain relationships with local community agencies, non-profits, and settlement services to promote the employment pathway and Furniture Bank services.

  • Represent Matthew House Ottawa (MHO) at community events and networking sessions to increase program visibility.

  • Coordinate outreach activities designed to attract both project participants and potential employer partners.

  • Collaborate with the internal team to develop communications materials highlighting program impact and volunteer opportunities.

Participant Support & Employer Engagement

  • Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and employment readiness support.

  • Deliver job readiness training including resume development and interview skills.

  • Build relationships with local employers in trades and logistics to identify job placement opportunities.

  • Support participants through the job search and conduct follow-ups to support long-term job retention.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

  • Track program metrics including participation, completion, and employment outcomes (target: 85% employment rate)

  • Contribute to grant reporting requirements, including data collection and outcome evaluation

  • Provide regular updates to leadership on program progress

Qualifications & Skills

  • Post-secondary education in Social Services, Employment Services, HR, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

  • 2–4 years of experience in employment programs, workforce development, or case management

  • Experience working with newcomers, refugees, or individuals facing barriers to employment

  • Strong understanding of job development and employer engagement

  • Excellent interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills

  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage a time-limited project

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data tracking systems

Assets

  • Experience in a social enterprise or non-profit environment

  • Knowledge of Ottawa’s labour market, particularly trades and logistics sectors

  • Multilingual skills

Working Conditions

  • Combination of office and warehouse environment

  • Active, hands-on role involving program delivery on-site

  • Occasional evening or weekend work may be required

Expected Outcomes (Project-Based)

  • Recruit and support up to 20 participants

  • Deliver integrated training and work experience placements

  • Achieve strong employment outcomes (target: 85% of participants employed)

  • Establish employer partnerships to support ongoing workforce pathways

End of Contract Deliverables

  • Complete participant tracking and outcome reporting

  • Submit final program evaluation and grant report

  • Document employer partnerships and pathway sustainability recommendations

To apply

If you are interested in this role, please send us your resume and cover letter to:HR@matthewhouseottawa.orgIf you need any accommodations, please let us know at the outset of the process.

Please note, we will review applications on an ongoing basis and the job posting will be removed once candidate has been identified.  We are only able to consider candidates who currently have the right to work in Canada.

*This program is funded by the City of Ottawa