Employment Specialist

About this position

Position Type: Full time 6-month contract (very strong possibility of extension)

Experience: 3+ years

Number of Positions: 1

Reporting to: Manager, Employment and Training Services

Location: Toronto

Position Description: The Employment Specialist is responsible for assessing client employment needs and developing service plans accordingly.  The successful candidate will also work to secure employment opportunities/ placements for clients in jobs that meet their career objectives.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to)

Client Needs Assessment, Job Search Support and Retention

• Assesses job seekers, determines specific individual needs, identifies job goals, develops action plans, and supports job seekers in overcoming identified barriers to employment
• Case manages, coaches, and motivates participants during their job search
• Supports job retention by monitoring client progress during employment and through 12 months post closure
• Demonstrates a good understanding of the positions that participants are applying for and clarifies questions participants may have
• Plans and participates in community events concerning employment, education, and career development
• Provides orientation to workplace, life skills coaching and support for disclosure of a disability
• Conducts workshops periodically to instruct participants on effective job search strategies

Job Matching and Placement

• Places job seekers into full-time employment through advertised and non-advertised job leads
• Negotiates and administers placement agreements and employer incentives (wage subsidy, on-the-job training) and monitors training plan ensuring expectations of placement are met
• Ensures quality of placements by appropriately matching candidates’ skills with the job requirements
• Conducts required employer site visits, ensuring workplace health and safety policies are in place
• Supports employer and placed job seeker with any arising retention issues
• Provides employer with suitable candidates for the role, works with employer to carve out roles from existing job descriptions based on needs and skills requirements of job seeker and employer
• Makes resources available in print and/or online form on topics such as workplace health & safety and Employment Standards Act.

Program Marketing and Outreach  

• Plans, executes, and continuously monitors an effective outreach plan targeting appropriate clientele
• Assists in implementing effective program marketing strategies in the community
• Recruits clients and ensures that the required number of people access services
• Maintains organized documentation (including a database) of contacted community organizations
• Participates in community events, job fairs and related activities to inform job seekers of The Career Foundation and to recruit them for the program
• Facilitates client referrals by building relationships with community partners and organizations in the area, such as libraries, community centers and Toronto Community Housing.

Workforce Development, Employer Outreach & Relationship Building

• Develops relationships with employers in a variety of industries
• Assists employers to identify their workforce development needs and conducts site visits to ensure that employers can provide suitable and safe workplace environments
• Assists employers to recruit employees/skilled labour by facilitating employment-related events, preparing job postings on employers’ behalf, assisting with outreach to attract suitable candidates, and posts positions on internal and other approved job boards

Other Duties as Required

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends occasionally as needed
• Participates in fundraising activities on behalf of The Career Foundation
• Other duties as required

Qualifications/ Skills Required

• University Degree or diploma is required
• Preference given to CCDP
• Experience in job development, employment assessment and case management considered a strong asset
• Proven track record in a results-driven environment, solid experience in meeting or exceeding targets
• Must have very strong English written communication skills and the ability to develop job search and business-related documents without grammatical and spelling errors
• Strong organizational and time management skills, able to take initiative, manage change/transition and multi-task
• Knowledge of the current labour market trends, the impact of COVID-19 on the labour market, job search techniques and employment research methods
• Strong internal and external customer service focus with a positive attitude
• Experience with youth, women's services, internationally educated professionals, newcomers, ESL job seekers, disability issues is an asset
• Bilingual (English/French) is a very strong asset
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues by maintaining a solution-focused environment
• Equipped to work remotely with adequate internet capabilities and ability to work from various Career Foundation sites, as needed
• Knowledge on online communication platforms, techniques, and tools (Zoom, MS Teams and SharePoint) with an aptitude and willingness to learn and work with new technologies
• Valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is an asset
• Flexible team player – willingness to take initiative to lend assistance where needed to ensure that the team is successful in meeting project goals

How to Apply: Please visit our website at https://careerfoundation.com/join-our-team and select the position you’d like to apply for from our list of vacancies. You can complete the application form directly through our website. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. No phone calls please. Thank you for your interest in The Career Foundation.