Job Retention Specialist

_**Be the best YOU**_
- **Being a part of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) means you have a shared passion for supporting youth in reaching their full potential. YOU is a place where your unique background, perspectives, and talents are valued, and help innovate new program ideas to best support youth in our community.**_
- **You can make your impact here Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where the work you do is truly valued. You will have the freedom to excel in your way by serving young people and knowing you are making a difference for our community.**_
- **Come be a part of a team that works alongside youth as they work on goals and be there to celebrate when they achieve those milestones. Help us continue creating a community where youth are embraced and will thrive.**_

This is full time contract position till **March 31, 2025**

**Specific responsibilities include but not limited to the following**:

- Providing youth case management and support, including intake, 1:1 job coaching with the youth, assessing motivation, supporting youth through independent job search activities, coaching youth in job interview strategies
- Strengthening training opportunities through YOU’s Social Enterprises, employer relationships through job placement, placement monitoring and support, and community involvement (i.e. employer events)
- Using motivational interviewing skills and assertive objective-based interactions to guide participants in establishing achievable action plans
- Outreach to educational institutions to identify training partnerships and opportunities
- Monitoring and achieving individual targets, as well as achieving program targets that include youth attendance, maintenance, and program completion
- Allocating various support dollars to youth in need and tracking program financials
- Working closely with YOU’s Business Liaisons to seamlessly and effectively assist youth to obtain meaningful employment
- Maintaining accurate and up to date case notes, completing paperwork and forms, and writing reports for funders as required
- Ensuring data quality and data integrity on relevant electronic case management systems
- Working with youth from diverse cultural backgrounds and various mental health challenges
- Keeping current with prevailing local and regional and labour market conditions, demands, and expectations
- Coordinate, host and facilitate special events or workshops for employers, community partners and youth

**Qualifications**:

- University Degree or minimum 2-year College Diploma in human /social services from an accredited institution
- Prior experience working with a diverse population, including persons from diverse cultural backgrounds, LGBTQ2S groups
- Experience facilitating employment, training and life skills workshops
- Proven ability to teach and mentor youth overcoming barriers to employment
- Proven crisis management and case management skills is an asset
- Ability to succeed in a target-based work environment
- Experience liaising with community agencies in a professional manner
- Strong case documentation, statistical reporting, file management and organizational skills
- Ability to balance supporting youth in need of immediate assistance, while handling multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines
- Experience working with youth affected by poverty, mental health, justice, addictions and homelessness
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365 as well as other software programs are required
- Suicide Prevention, Crisis Intervention and Prevention Training (PMAB or CPI) is an asset
- Flexibility in scheduling to meet program needs including evenings and weekends
- Police Vulnerable Sector Check for youth population
- Knowledge of Housing First principles and philosophy
- Access to a reliable personal vehicle and possess appropriate insurance coverage.

Application deadline: 2025-01-20

Pay: $20.55-$26.23 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 35 per week

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-01-20