Employment Specialist

**Employment Specialist**

Job Location: Sarnia, Ontario
- Position Type: Full Time/ 6 month contract with potential for permanencyGoodwill Industries is a non-profit social enterprise that provides work opportunities, skills development, and employee and family strengthening for people who face barriers such as disability or social disadvantage. The aim is to advance individuals, families and communities toward economic self-sufficiency and prosperity.
- Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes, one of five regional Goodwills in Canada, serves communities across Ontario, and employs over 1200 people on a variety of social enterprise work platforms. The organization is positioned for accelerated growth and is aiming to create 900 new jobs over the next five years.**Employment Specialist**
- The Employment Specialist is responsible for assisting job seekers to obtain and maintain employment through intake and case management, employment planning and coordinating service delivery.**Role and Responsibilities**
- Work in collaboration with job seekers to develop realistic and client centered return to work action plans
- Follows the Customer Care Cycle (I Care) consistently providing world class customer service to all customers, internal and external, of Goodwill.
- Using the established assessment process, assist clients in developing an employment action plan
- process within current guidelines and timelines
- Maintain accurate and up to date evidence of employment counselling in electronic and paper file system
- Maintain all appropriate follow up activities including returning job seeker phone calls within a 48 hour time frame and maintain an “active” caseload that guarantees client contact at a **minimum** of 10 days between contacts
- Network and liaise with community service providers to remain current about service options
- Keep current with Labour Market Information and employment trends
- Adhere to our Public Relations policy, acting as a ‘positive ambassador’ when representing Goodwill’s brand in the community
- Perform other related activities, as necessary or as assigned.
- Follow all safety standards set out in legislation and/or Goodwill policies
- Be actively involved in the health, well-being and safety of themselves and their team

**Qualifications**
- Diploma or degree in related field (Counselling, Social Services, Psychology)
- Professional development in social services, life skills, coaching or employment and 3 years’ experience
- 3-5 years’ experience working with people with disabilities and/or psychosocial disadvantages preferred
- Acceptable criminal reference check
- Excellent oral/written communication skills
- Common Assessment Training; Knowledge of current labour market trend, (preferred)

**The Opportunity**
- An organization dedicated to helping people who face barriers to employment achieve work and prosperity; and committed to sustainability and reducing environmental impact
- Social enterprise that is positioned for accelerated growth
- A challenging and creative working environment that will build skills and offers networking opportunities
- Flexible working hours
- Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefit plan, including health, dental, and vision

Goodwill Industries is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment where all employees and members feel valued, respected, and supported. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live and serve, and where every team member has the opportunity to reach their full potential