Career Development Practitioner

This is a full-time, permanent position, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm with 35 hour work weeks.

**YES Employment Services** is a non-profit, community-based organization with a long history providing employment services in Thunder Bay, Nipigon, Red Rock and surrounding areas. We work with individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds to develop skills to achieve success in attaining their Employment goals. YES Employment works collaboratively with our clients to help them reach their goals in a meaningful way and provides services in line with our organizational values. We believe that **everyone who wants to work, deserves to work, and we can help.**

**Summary**: Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor, the Career Development Practitioner provides information, intake, assessment, counselling, and referral services to registered clients and employers accessing services. The incumbent must have the ability to work in a dynamic programming / service delivery environment. Programming and service delivery will utilize or access a majority of Agencies resources.

**MAJOR TASKS WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING**:
**Client Service Planning Coordination**
- Greet clients and direct them according to their reasons for coming to YES through needs / essential skills assessment.
- Register new clients.
- Work with clients to collaboratively develop service plans.
- Develop measurable goal oriented workplans with clients
- Regularly revisit and update workplans with clients
- Conduct ongoing assessments to demonstrate progress on workplans.
- Ensure resource & information area computers are functioning efficiently, troubleshoot problems and seek assistance when necessary.
- Provide initial intake / assessments.
- Maintain regular and ongoing positive contact with clients in a way that is measurable (minimum bi-weekly contact).
- Establish and maintain complete file documentation including the procurement of such legal records as necessary maintaining computer database of all clients.
- Monitor active clients and their progress on a regular basis.
- Provide ongoing employment counselling/case management and support to clients, throughout the process and during follow up activities.
- Maintain timely follow-up calls according to contractual requirements.
- Must be an active member of the team, collaborating with other team members, operating using evidence-based practices, in the best interest of the agency and our clients.
- Maintain updated job market and labour market information;
- Ensure optimum customer service is provided to every individual client
- Participates in case conferencing process
- Ensure client supports are utilized to assist clients to be job ready

**Documentation**
- Generates reports of employer and client-related activities
- Develop a marketing plan specific to client needs
- Documentation/charting of client files according to program and agency standards

**Job Development**
- Complete matrix and placement contract based on clients needs
- Complete monitors on clients who are on placements
- Refer and pre-screen clients on behalf of employers, ensuring a good placement/job match.
- Develop a plan with clients for marketing their skills/abilities to prospective employers.
- Provide employers with information regarding our job order process.
- Provide referrals and updates information or programs/services available to employers.
- Ensure placement claims are picked up, reviewed and submitted to finance for reimbursement
- Ensure finance spreadsheet tracking is reviewed for accuracy
- Advocates on behalf of clients, provides support to employers/clients once placement or referral has been made.
- Ensure employers are informed relative to YES Employment Services feedback and complaint process

**Marketing**
- Markets individuals and YES programs and services to employers.
- Liaises with other agencies to promote networking.
- Represents YES at committees/organizational meetings.
- Provides, when appropriate, information regarding other programs and services

**Programming**
- Thorough knowledge of program guidelines.
- Participate in strategic planning process.
- Participate in unit meetings.
- Participate in YES staff meetings.

Other duties as assigned by the Leadership Team.

**Qualifications**: Post-secondary education related to social services or human relations. Experience with helping services, familiar with counselling concepts and strategies, ability to communicate effectively with appropriate sensitivity to the client group. Ability to market programs and services. Familiarity with statistical reporting and analysis. Excellent organizational skills to lead groups as required. Valid driver’s licence and vehicle with business insurance required.

**Disclaimer**: Job Descriptions are not all-inclusive. This Job Description describes the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. Employees may perform other relat