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

BladeRunners FREE training for Youth is back!

We're Hiring a a Job Developer/Facilitator. Learn more here!

Don't miss our Employer of the Month for December 2025!

Employer of the month

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.

EMPLOYER OF THE MONTH – AUGUST 2025

Tell us about your business/organization and what makes you stand out as an employer?
At Thrive Landscapes, we do more than just maintain outdoor spaces—we create places that people are proud to live in and around. Our crew takes real pride in the quality of their work, and that shows in the long-term relationships we’ve built with clients across the Oceanside area, including Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Qualicum and all spaces in between. We believe in strong communication, environmental responsibility, and a culture where everyone is supported to grow in their career. What sets us apart is our crew—we hire people who care, and we make sure they have the tools and structure to succeed.

How many employees do you have?
We’re a growing team of around 10, including office staff, landscape techs, and our leadership team.

What do you look for in a new employee?
We look for people who show up ready to learn, take pride in what they do, and care about being part of a team. Experience helps, but attitude and willingness to improve are even more important.

What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization?
Be reliable, ask questions, and take initiative. We appreciate team members who are curious, honest, and want to keep getting better. If you’ve got a good work ethic and a positive attitude, you’ll fit right in.

Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so, for what types of positions?
Yes, we’re always keeping an eye out for great people. Likely openings include landscape maintenance techs, landscape install crew, irrigation technicians and possibly an administrative support role.

What is the best way for someone to apply if they are interested in working for your organization?
Send your resume and a quick note telling us why you’d be a good fit to: admin@thrivelandscapes.ca  You can also check out our website or follow us on social media for updates on open positions.

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

Follow us

   

Inclusivity

Career Centre logo

#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

Bluesky