Employment & Retention Specialist

**Position**

Employment & Retention Specialist

**Location**

Edmonton AB

**Type**

Full Time

**Salary**

Starting at $52,000

**Break Barriers. Employ Change.**
- At Prospect, we value the diversity of people. Diversity at Prospect means a workplace where individual differences are recognized and appreciated, respected and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths._

Prospect helps people get jobs. We’re a not-for-profit and registered charity, so while the bottom line can’t be ignored, it’s not our priority. Clients are.

Prospect is one of Alberta’s leading not-for-profits. We live by four words: Break barriers. Employ change. Yes, it’s right there under our logo. No, it’s not just a tag line. Anywhere people face barriers to employment, we’re there to help. A big part of that job is educating employers to look at parts of the labour market they haven’t tapped before. And that’s where you have an opportunity. You’ll be on the front lines of breaking barriers, as part of an amazing team that matches the unique skill sets of our clients with employers who need their talents.

If you’re persuasive, love presenting and sharing ideas, and believe that a diverse and inclusive society enriches all, please keep reading.

We are seeking an experienced and energetic Employment and Retention Specialist to engage employers and foster opportunities for our clients. Our newest youth employment service will support at-risk young people through a multi-dimensional program that include skill development, employment preparation, and connection to jobs.

The qualities that you will bring to the position include:

- Professional with exceptional communication and customer service skills able to easily build productive and trusting relationships within the business community.
- Innovative and an aptitude for problem solving with the ability to determine mutually beneficial opportunities for our clients and employers.
- Tenacious and outgoing with a can-do attitude and an aptitude for networking, collaborating, and being success focused.
- Passion for engaging youth and employers with the creativity and dedication for helping them succeed even through challenging situations.

**What will you do?**

As an Employment and Retention Specialist you will build opportunities with employers that will help youth move closer to the workforce. This may include arranging workplace tours, job shadows, tryouts, or other activities that will help youth learn more about an occupation or industry. It may also include sourcing job vacancies, negotiating work opportunities, and helping youth transition successfully into their first job.

As a highly tenacious and customer focused individual you will create a network of business contacts who are interested in supporting the success of youth. You will attend networking events, connect directly with businesses, and create opportunities to keep them engaged and committed to working with Prospect. You will use your extensive knowledge of the labour market to source partnerships with employers from industries in high demand and will continually align your networking with the goals of each youth.

As a compassionate problem-solver you will strategize through difficult situations with perseverance and tenacity recognizing the non-linear pathway that many youth experience with employment. You will engage with team members and other community support to provide a comprehensive and robust level of service that many at-risk youth require to realize success. This may include helping youth develop positive workplace behaviour and providing retention support for youth after they get a job.

This project is highly flexible and will be delivered at our location, in the community and, in some cases, virtually. You will be responsive to individual situations and will employ a flexible working model that will include some weekend and evening programming.

**What does it take to do this job?**
- Post-secondary education in a relevant program. A combination of related training and experience will also be considered.
- Experience working with clients from a variety of demographics, with experience working with youth being a strong asset
- Prior experience in recruitment, understanding of recruitment cycles and organizational needs an asset.
- Experience in employment placement, customer relations, business to business collaboration preferred.
- Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Exemplary verbal and written communication skills
- Exceptional service with the ability to present ideas and/or services to individuals and groups
- Highly driven, reliable, and confident individual who works well in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of the local labour market, employment standards are considered assets
- Exposure to diversity and inclusion programs is an asset

**Further Notes**:

- All employees must p