Employment Specialist

Job Title: Employment Specialist
Department: Employment Services
Status and Hours: Temporary Full-Time, 35 hrs/wk, 1 year contract
Pay scale: $32.462/hr to $38.189/hr
Reports to: Employment Services Lead
Deadline: Until Filled

This position is an existing vacancy.

Benefits include:

• 3 weeks paid time off
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Health & Wellness Spending Account
• HOOPP

Who are we?

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre is an innovative, community-based, multi-service centre. We strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We work in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to achieve their full potential, paying particular attention to those who face barriers to care due to race, gender, income and/or ability. PQCHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. If at any stage in the selection process, you require accommodation due to a disability, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation.

Job Summary:

The Employment Specialist is responsible for delivering employment services geared to the needs of specific target groups. This position is responsible for working one-on-one with clients within an assigned caseload. This position works within a Case Management Team (POD) of Employment Specialists, Job Development Specialists, and Job Coaches/Job Retention Specialists to provide wrap around supports to clients with the purpose of ensuring clients achieve and maintain sustainable employment.

Job Specific Responsibilities:

Direct Client Service

• Provides direct one-on-one employment support to clients in a client-centred manner.
• Reduces barriers to access to services for the populations served by the program.
• Determines eligibility and suitability for services.
• Conducts assessments to understand client’s employment related strengths, needs, abilities, skills, and other relevant employment-related factors.
• In partnership with the client, develops, reviews, monitors and updates individualized client Employment Action Plans to support long-term employment.
• Uses a variety of interventions and tools to support clients in their job search, including identifying and building employability skills, career exploration, and work preparation in keeping with the client’s Employment Action Plan.
• Manages client caseloads, maintaining an awareness of client needs and progression towards employment.
• Works collaboratively with team members and clients to support the client’s journey through services including leading and participating in case conferencing.
• Provides relevant information and resources to clients that support their progression towards employment.
• Documents clients progress through accurate and timely case notes.
• Provides financial supports to clients in keeping with program guidelines.
• Establishes and maintains positive and supportive relationships with clients and maintains client engagement.
• Establishes working relationships with relevant agencies/services that support client needs.
• Provides community referrals for clients to Life Stabilization supports.
• Assists clients to build support networks through referrals and liaises with clients and external resources/organizations as required.
• Maintains awareness of current issues and developments in the respective field.

Administration

• Maintains electronic client records and protects the confidentiality of the information.
• Participates in accreditation chart audits.
• Assists in maintaining the program database by entering data, generating reports, supporting analysis, and regular auditing of data integrity.
• Ensures all data is accurate and entered on a timely basis.
• Assists in compiling and maintaining program resources.
• Scheduling and monitoring client attendance using appropriate systems.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Provides resources and support to program staff pertaining to specific client issues.
• Assists in the development of program specific policies and procedures/guidelines and in the overall planning and development of the program.
• Participates in the evaluation component of the relevant program.
• Attends and participates in team and general staff meetings as scheduled.
• Maintains effective communication of information among internal and external stakeholders.
• Participates in staff development as appropriate to the position.
• Assists in promotional activities and client recruitment/outreach.

Position Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences or related field or equivalent combination of experience and education.

Professional Experience

• 3 to 5 years’ experience in the following areas:
  • Experience in employment related initiatives
  • Experience in case management
  • Experience in administering interviews/assessments
  • Collaborative goal setting, monitoring, adapting, and evaluating progress towards goals

Key Competencies

• Knowledge of issues, trends and legislation in the employment field and the labour market.
• Certified in/or have demonstrated knowledge of common assessment tools.
• An understanding of the factors affecting employability, including life stabilization factors.
• Excellent documentation and case noting skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse clientele and colleagues
• Use tools to manage caseload, understand where clients are in their journey and forecast client outcomes.
• Knowledge of community and social service resources, in particular services for job seekers.
• Strong digital literacy, including MS Office suite.
• Other languages an asset.

Linguistic Profile (For Centres with French Language Service Designations):

• Under the Centre’s designation to provide French Language Services
• Based on New Avenues Linguistics Rating Scale: A+ (highest skill) to C- (lowest skill)
  • English (oral expression): A+ (required)
  • English (oral comprehension): A+ (required)
  • English (reading comprehension): A+ (required)
• Other languages an asset.

Personal Suitability/Other Requirements:

• Monday to Friday days with some flexibility required for occasion Thursday evenings or weekend days.
• Positively contribute to monthly individual and team Key Performance Indicator (KPIs) while managing a challenging workload through prioritization and effective time management
• Comfortable providing services in a hybrid model or in-person and virtual services from the Employment Centre or off-site locations.