Placement Specialist (Mostly Remote - Focused on Women’s Employment in Tech Sales)

About this position

About The Career Foundation: The Career Foundation is a dynamic non-profit organization that offers a wide range of employment, training, and HR services to job seekers and employers. Since its inception in 1988, The Career Foundation has steadily expanded its services. Operating out of seven locations, we now help thousands of people each year successfully accomplish their employment goals. Our team of dedicated professionals have described The Career Foundation as caring, compassionate, innovative, and team oriented. For more information about us and our services, please visit our website at CareerFoundation.com.

Some of the benefits and features available to our employees include: 

• Competitive compensation
• A comprehensive Health Benefits plan that includes massage therapy, naturopath services, travel coverage, and much more
• A comprehensive Dental Insurance plan 
• An Employee & Family Assistance program
• An RRSP Matching plan
• A Wellness program

Program and Role description: The Career Foundation’s WorkFairly program provides eligible participants with a pre-employment and skills development training model that integrates technology, sales and high-performance workplace skills to prepare women for future-oriented careers across Ontario and British Columbia.  Participants consist of women, including those who are immigrants, women with disabilities, self-identifying LGBTQ2 individuals, and those who have experienced prolonged unemployment.  The program team also works closely with employers to conduct Gender Based Analysis (GBA+) workplace and policy assessments and to deliver Gender Equity and Inclusion training.

The Placement Specialists are important members of the team, responsible for placing participants into employment opportunities by connecting them directly with employers that have suitable job vacancies to fill.  The Placement Specialists also perform other essential job functions, including planning and delivering workshops, coaching and supporting program participants at all stages in the program, and developing relationships with employers, as well as other important responsibilities.    

Position Type: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Please note: This opportunity will begin as a one-year employment contract with strong possibility to lead to permanent employment with The Career Foundation

Reporting to: Program Coordinator

Location(s): This is a mostly remote position comprised of work-from-home functions as well as local travel when needed to offices of The Career Foundation and employer sites. A base office is also available in Toronto at Lawrence Avenue West and Allen Road. Hybrid-remote schedule is contingent on the incumbent possessing appropriate work-from-home space with high-speed internet. Company laptop and other equipment provided. Must have valid G driver’s license and access to reliable vehicle for work-related travel.

Number of positions: 2

Experience: 2 + years

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: The Career Foundation is committed to the health and safety of its workforce. As of December 16, 2021, successful candidates for our internal employment opportunities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit proof of same prior to receiving an official employment offer. Accommodations will be made where possible for qualifying medical or religious exemptions.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited, to the following

Job Development and Job Coaching

• Works with project participants after the completion of their technical training to place them into entry-level Tech Sales careers.
• Works with employers to help them recognize the business case for engaging and advancing women into the Tech sector.
• Helps employers identify barriers within their operations and/or HR practices that can be improved to increase access for women into Tech and that will contribute to long-term systemic change.
• Works with employers to develop full-time remote/hybrid employment opportunities for project participants, ensuring that they meet their career goals and the employment targets of the intervention.
• Develops 2-3 new employer contacts each week and 8-12 new employer contacts each month.
• Ensures that the program’s employer database offers a range of diverse employment opportunities for program participants.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and interprets workplace assessment collected information to assist participants with targeting the most suitable employment opportunities, based on experience, education, and existing labour market factors.
• Plans, conducts, and delivers workshops to participants on cold calling and other job-search related topics.
• Collects and processes claims and opens and closes employer files in a timely manner.
• Provides coaching to participants, including on-the-job support, monitors placements and enters case notes in internal and funder-mandated systems.
• Supports and motivates participants during their job search and while in job placements to ensure that job retention goals are met.
• Prepares participants for position-specific interviews and conducts mock interviews as needed.
• Reviews participants’ self-marketing materials prior to sending to employers.
• Accurately reports on participant case load and established action plans during daily morning meetings and weekly case conferences to ensure the success of participants.
• Case-manages and maintains documentation of allocated participant files, records of service, and participant progress reports in internal and funder-mandated systems.
• Regularly monitors personal performance against program targets to ensure the achievement of expected results for the project.
• Communicates with the Program Coordinator regarding participant performance in relation to contract requirements and the needs of the program.
• Prepares and submits weekly job development and job coaching activity report to the Program Coordinator.
• Other duties as assigned.

Participant Recruitment/Outreach and Workshop Facilitation

• Delivers online pre-employment and life skills workshops to participants that are focused on job search and employment maintenance skills.
• Participates in community events, job fairs, and other activities to recruit new, potential participants into the program.
• Presents the program to community partners and potential participants, ensuring that they understand the program objectives and time requirements.
• Conducts accurate assessments of participants based on program eligibility requirements and ensures that all mandatory forms are completed.
• Promotes and maintains a climate of inclusion, equity, and diversity within and between participant and employer relationships.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/ Skills Required

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in human services, business, marketing, tech, or related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Knowledge, experience, or interest in equity, diversity and inclusion is required.
• Knowledge or experience in Tech industries and existing relationships with employers in Tech sales considered strong assets.
• A minimum of 2 years of transferrable experience in recruitment, job development, and/or job coaching is required, with a proven track record of meeting and exceeding targets. Candidates who possess the above qualifications and placement experience/vocational counselling will be prioritized.
• Understanding of and ability to effectively apply the principles of the sales process to generate job leads and secure positions for project participants.
• Previous experience maintaining a case load of clients and working with government-funded programs considered an asset.
• Strong connections and familiarity with community partners and local employers considered an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills and ability to clearly communicate information verbally and in writing, with the confidence to engage employers, community partners and program participants remotely and in-person.
• A professional and courteous approach to client service with a high level of respect for the diversity of the people served, including participants who face barriers to employment.
• Knowledge of current labour market trends, the impact of COVID-19 on the labour market, job search techniques, and employment research methods.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), as well as Zoom, and Outlook 365 applications, including Teams and SharePoint. Must also possess aptitude and willingness to learn and work with new online systems and technologies.
• Exceptional customer service skills and ability to uphold the organization’s service standards, policies, and core values.
• Outstanding organizational skills, time management, and ability to multi-task in order to meet deadlines and achieve program targets and objectives.
• Punctual, self-motivated and self-directed.
• Willingness to step-in to assist team members as needed to help ensure program goals are met.
• Ability to maintain sensitive information, exhibit tact, diplomacy and good judgment, with high standards of professionalism, ethics and confidentiality.
• Ability to build strong working team relationships.
• Must be equipped to perform some job functions remotely from home with appropriate work-from-home space and high-speed internet connection.
• Willingness and flexibility to occasionally work outside of normal business hours during peak periods, when required.
• Must be fully vaccinated (two doses) against COVID-19. The successful candidate will be required to submit official documentation to confirm vaccination status prior to job offer.

How to Apply

Please visit the ‘Join Our Team’ page on our website at https://careerfoundation.com/join-our-team and select the position for which you would like to submit your application. You may 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.

The Career Foundation’s Commitment

The Career Foundation is committed to diversity and inclusion and aims to create a healthy and rewarding environment for all. We welcome applications from qualified individuals who represent the diversity of the people we proudly serve, including, but not limited to, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and individuals of all genders and sexual orientation. The Career Foundation, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), is also committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with candidates requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.