Community & Industry Engagement Specialist

Nature and Scope

The Community & Industry Engagement Specialist will play a crucial role in promoting corporate citizenship by fostering relationships with local businesses and organizations to create employment opportunities and partnerships. This role will understand the culture of the industry or sector they specialize in and are able to help clients transition into a new working environment as well as help employers understand the specific needs of new workers. This position will positively promote and create an environment that demonstrates SIIT's vision, mission, and mandate.

General Accountability

The Community & Industry Engagement Specialist is responsible for working with clients to provide information and support in career planning, skills training, and employment or educational goals. The Specialist is required to follow-up with clients and employers, and to collaborate with other departments within the Institute to ensure client success. This position is the link between employers and workers and supports both employers and new workers to develop long-term careers. This role involves extensive travel to various communities, offering on-site services, workshops, and employer engagement activities.

The Community & Industry Engagement Specialist is required to take a lead role in career and skill assessment, career coaching and development, individualized career planning, and support to individuals to obtain and maintain employment. The incumbent will assist with developing or enhancing job skills, resume writing, and job searches in communities across the province. This position follows-up with existing SIIT clients, updating databases, generating reports and performs other administrative duties for the department. This position includes the following broad range of accountabilities:

Specific Accountabilities

Client Service

• Provide one-on-one career counseling, job search assistance, and employment readiness support to clients
• Assist clients in developing resumes, cover letters, and job application materials
• Conduct mock interviews and offer guidance on interview techniques and job search strategies
• Identify barriers to employment and work with clients to address and overcome them
• Provide confidential one on one coaching and personal consultation for clients by discussing their aspirations and assisting them in creating short and long term career, or training goals; as well, as a comprehensive plan to reach those goals, including the development of employability skills
• Monitor and evaluate progress of clients; assist SIIT clients as they transition into new work environments, as well as following up with clients to track successful placements
• Develop and deliver workshops on topics such as resume writing, interview skills, job search strategies, and career planning.
• Facilitate group sessions that promote peer support and networking among job seekers.
• Assist in the coordination and delivery of training and other programming as requested
• Take a lead role in participant assessment, evaluation and management including assessing individuals to determine skills, work experience, aptitude, job readiness, and other abilities
• Refer clients to potential employers and/or training opportunities
• Collect labor market information for clients regarding salaries, job openings, skill requirements and other vocational information
• Provide expertise and information to foster career development through additional and outside training and certification such as apprenticeships; Inform clients on the indenturing process and the hours necessary to be certified in their trade of choice
• Assist SIIT learners and graduates as they transition into new work environments, as well as follow up with graduates to track employment
• Collaborate with clients and employers to bridge employment barriers and support employers to retain new workers
• Work with employers to coordinate interviews, placements and on-site visits
• Provide follow-up support to employers, regular check-ins and provide the necessary support to the client to be successful

Community Engagement and Corporate Citizenship

• Travel to various communities to provide on-site services, including career counseling, workshops, and job fairs
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, employers, and educational institutions
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers in both private and public sectors and First Nations across the Province
• Collaborate with local agencies to ensure clients have access to a broad range of services and resources
• Promote Corporate Citizenship by building and maintaining relationships with local businesses and organizations
• Coordinate Corporate Citizenship initiatives that align with the organization's mission and community needs
• Work with employers to create job opportunities for clients and develop partnership programs.

Reporting , Compliance & Administration

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, including case notes, employment outcomes, and service delivery reports
• Track and report on program outcomes, including job placements, client progress, and partnership development
• Provide regular updates to supervisors and stakeholders on program successes and challenges
• Stay informed of current labor market trends, employment laws, and best practices in career counseling and employment services
• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Assist and support department requirements by preparing and submitting reports, and providing additional support as necessary
• Ensure strict confidentiality and privacy of information as it relates to clients, employers, the Institute, and other third parties
• Maintain and research current statistical data on employment opportunities for clients
• Stay current regarding relevant job search strategies and trends in the labour market and the economic climate, requirements and qualifications for many different occupations
• Extensive knowledge of the functions, purposes and programs of SIIT
• Carry out quality control of data entry

Required Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Resources, or a related field. A minimum of three years of experience in career counseling, employment services, or a related field is required. Experience working with diverse populations and understanding of employment barriers is preferred, along with a demonstrated ability to build relationships with employers and community organizations. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Knowledge of First Nations cultures and organizations would be an asset. Incumbent must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation as extensive travel is required. This position may require evening and weekend work to accommodate client needs and community events. The position will be required to work in both office settings and community-based environments.

As this position is considered safety sensitive, the incumbent will be subject to testing as per SIIT's Alcohol and Substances policy.

Required Competencies

In addition to education and years of experience, the following performance competencies are considered essential for this position. Flexible and Adaptable, Effective Communication, Relationship Building, Results Oriented, Client Focus or Service, Teamwork, Problem Solving, Partnering