Bluesky    #3 - 187 Bagshaw Street, Parksville, BC V9P 0J3      Tel. 250.248.3205   Fax. 250.248.4154

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Employer of the month

Employer of the Month – January 2026

 

Tell us about your business/organization and what makes you stand out as an employer?

SOS is an award-winning, charitable organization that has been meeting the needs and improving the lives of residents in the Parksville Qualicum Beach region since 1968. We value each member of our team and what they bring to our organization. Our staff are passionate about their work and together we strive to maintain a positive, supportive, and respectful work environment.

How many employees do you have?
65

What do you look for in a new employee?
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who want to make a positive impact in our community. If you are ambitious, value professional growth and work well in a team environment, we’d love to meet you!

What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization?

Show us your excitement and passion for working with an award-winning, non-profit organization that meets community needs and enhances lives in District 69.

Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so, for what types of positions?
Yes, there is currently an exciting new opportunity in our Resource Development team administering grant acquisitions, donations, events, and stakeholder relationships. Also, keep an eye out for opportunities in our Thrift Shop for shipper/receivers and merchandisers, and roles in administration and our community services programs.

What is the best way for someone to apply if they are interested in working for your business?
Visit our website for job listings and instructions on how to apply at:  www.sosd69.com/careers 

EMPLOYER OF THE MONTH – DECEMBER 2025


Tell us about your business/organization and what makes you stand out as an employer?

Our tagline is “support shelter safety” and these three words encapsulate the core of our work. We provide shelter and psychosocial support to Nanaimo and Oceanside residents who need it. We run crisis stabilization and assisted living programs along with supportive recovery and outreach services. In addition, our clients have access to our pre-employment and life skills programs. Island Crisis Care Society offers wages on par with or higher than most organizations in our sector, and much of our workforce enjoys the benefits of membership in the BC General Employees’ Union. But where we really shine is our culture. Long term employees report that the clients they work with and the meaningful aspect of the work is what keeps them engaged and satisfied year after year. While the flavour of our culture differs somewhat from program to program, overall it shares a distinctive bottom line. While fiscal responsibility is important, we also measure our success by how well we contribute to making the world a better place. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that every employee joins our team because of the opportunity the job provides in this regard. Our employees feel like they are making a significant and meaningful contribution to improving the lives of neighbours and community members. They feel that way, because they really are making that difference. At the management level, there is a conscious focus on supporting our front line staff to face the challenges of the job with resiliency and strength. We emphasize empathy and compassion, alongside healthy boundaries and self-care. There is a genuine desire from the Board of Directors to our frontline staff to model therapeutic relationships and integrity. We are always working to secure the resources, partnerships, and expertise necessary to achieve our vision.

How many employees do you currently have?

165

What do you look for in a new employee?

Our biggest category of employees is Support Workers. In Support Workers we look for relevant education that provides the skills and strategies for managing the difficult behaviour that some of our client’s express. We look for a natural temperament marked by empathy and resiliency. We look for integrity, ethical principles, and maturity. We hire from different ages, recognizing that each stage of life has a valuable perspective. We look for “people skills,” a healthy understanding of boundaries, and intelligence. Our most successful employees are ones who have some familiarity with people in crisis, or who have lived experience with mental health and recovery. We look for people who understand trauma and the way that early adverse childhood experiences shape perspectives and behaviour.

What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization?

Understand the job and what training and resources you need to be successful. In general this involves an understanding of yourself, your triggers, and the things that motivate and discourage you. Are you a good listener? Do you like holding space for people, being present? Are you good at offering empathy? Those qualities are essential to support work. As are healthy boundaries. If you are interested in one of the other jobs in our society, are you willing to work with the limitations of a non-profit environment? Along with our enviable work culture, goes the challenges of working with tight budgets. If a position you are applying for says it includes night shifts, spend some time considering if that is something you can really do for an extended period. If you don’t have experience doing front line work, and think you would like it, consider volunteering. We are developing a volunteer training program that offers some opportunities to work alongside front line staff.

Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so, for what types of positions?

We are currently hiring for Casual Support Workers which is anticipated to be a need over the next 6 months.

What is the best way for someone to apply if they are interested in working for your organization?

Please visit our website and click the “Join Us” tab www.Islandcrisiscaresociety.ca

EMPLOYER OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER 2025

Tell us about your business/organization and what makes you stand out as an employer?

The Career Centre is an initiative of the Central Vancouver Island Job Opportunities Building Society (CVIJOBS), a non-profit organization supporting job seekers in District 69 since 1976. The organization’s core values include teamwork, professionalism, continuous learning and staff engagement. Our team demonstrates these values every day, and we are proud to contribute to the communities we serve.

How many employees do you have?

We have an amazing team made up of 16 (full and part time) employees.

What do you look for in a new employee?

An individual who is positive, motivated and passionate about supporting job seekers in reaching their employment goals. We look for someone who is able to work independently, yet be part of a team and have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Strong computer skills are required for all positions. We value candidates with experience and education in areas related to human services and for some positions, career counselling and administration.

Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so for what types of positions?

Yes! We are currently seeking the right individual for a key role in our organization – a Manager of Marketing & Operations to join our Team.

What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization?

Do your research – check out our website, perhaps pop into the Career Centre Resource Room and become familiar with our work culture and the services we provide. Mid summer we moved into a brand new beautiful, fully accessible location, so this is a great opportunity to pop in and see where you could potentially work!

To support employment equity and diversity in the workplace, we welcome applications from all groups. This includes women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (2SLGBTQA+), and others who may contribute to diversity in our workplace.

What is the best way for someone to apply if interested in working for your organization?

Please apply as indicated on the job posting listed on our website.

Come work for us in a warm, friendly, fully accessible and collaborative working environment with competitive remuneration and benefits. Help us create positive experiences encouraging clients and colleagues to learn, grow and succeed!

EMPLOYER OF THE MONTH – SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2025

Tell us about your business/organization and what makes you stand out as an employer?

The Gardens at Qualicum Beach is a vibrant senior living community offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Long-Term Care. We are proud to be part of the Qualicum Beach community and to provide exceptional care and services to our residents. What makes us stand out as an employer is our strong team culture, supportive leadership, and commitment to creating a safe, positive, and fun workplace. Many of our staff have built long-term careers here, and we are passionate about helping our employees grow professionally while making a difference every day in the lives of seniors.


How many employees do you have?

We currently have over 150 employees across all departments.


What do you look for in a new employee?

We look for people who are compassionate, reliable, and committed to excellence in their work. A positive attitude, good teamwork skills, and a willingness to learn are just as important as technical qualifications. Our ideal team members genuinely care about our residents and bring warmth and respect to every interaction.


What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization?

Bring your passion for helping others and your desire to grow. We value individuals who take initiative, contribute to a positive team environment, and are open to learning new skills. Be ready to work hard, have fun, and build meaningful connections with both residents and colleagues.


Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so, for what types of positions?

Yes. We regularly hire for both direct care and hospitality positions. Direct care roles include Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Care Aides (RCAs). In hospitality, we look for Cooks, Cook’s Assistants, Servers, Dietary Aides, Housekeeping, and Recreation staff.


What is the best way for someone to apply if they are interested in working for your organization?

The best way to apply is by emailing a cover letter and resume to the General Manager, Sandy Davey, at thegardensgm@tcgcare.com. Applicants can also drop off their resume in person at The Gardens at Qualicum Beach, 650 Berwick Road North, Qualicum Beach.  Applications may also be sent online through Indeed.

Career Centre

#3 - 187 Bagshaw Street
Parksville, BC V9P 0J3
Tel. 250.248.3205
Fax. 250.248.4154

Hours
Mon-Tues 8:30am-4:30pm
Wed 8:30am-6:00pm
Thurs-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

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#3 - 187 Bagshaw Street
Parksville, BC V9P 0J3
Tel. 250.248.3205
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm; Wed: 8:3am-6:00pm

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