Employment Specialist

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Program Manager, an Employment Specialist provides employment-related guidance, counselling, resources, and referrals to clients on all aspects of employment search and career planning.

**In this role, you will**:

- Evaluate client’s skills, interests and experiences to determine their strengths and areas for development; create solution-focused employment and action plans
- Identify the activities, and supports that are most suited to the Client in achieving the desired outcome
- Evaluate the need for additional support such as financial aid or further training/skills enhancement and refer accordingly
- Ensure that the clients’ Employment Action Plans are developed for the client to allow for multiple components to be accessed simultaneously
- Demonstrate client’s evidence of personal ownership, (i.e. sign-off, case note discussions, use of self-assessment tools, job search logs)
- Provide ongoing monitoring and retention supports to ensure clients have the tools needed to remain employed
- Develop and record clear achievable long-term and short-term employment goals and identify steps to reach the goals and for monitoring progress
- Update the internal tracking systems, action plans and case notes regularly
- Offer comprehensive labour market insights and job coaching to clients
- Review monthly targets on an ongoing basis with the program manager
- Attend job fairs and community events as required
- Other duties and special projects as assigned

**You bring**:

- A bachelor's degree in a related field, such as psychology, social services or education
- Experience in employment counselling or related field
- Knowledge of Employment legislations, current local labour market trends and résumé writing and interviewing techniques
- Ability to work independently, seek out new information, engage in self-directed learning and make the connections necessary to effectively support clients
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
- Demonstrated problem-solving and multi-tasking skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and touch typing of minimum 45 wpm
- Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills;
- Demonstrated ability to manage difficult, challenging, or disruptive clients and alleviate or resolve issues
- Valid driver's license as the position requires some travel on occasion
- Ability to provide a current vulnerable sector check upon being hired
- In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), The Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are contacted for an interview and require any accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs._

**About Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre (DRUHC)**
- At DRUHC, we provide a range of employment services (information and referral, one-on-one employment counselling, employment workshops, job development services) to individuals of all ages, professional backgrounds and skills to help them reach their employment goals._
- **Why DRUHC?**_
- DRUHC recognizes the dignity and potential of each person. We offer an Employment culture where a positive attitude and commitment to continuous improvement are highly valued and considered the foundation of our decision making, work practices and success of the organization. _
- **Join our passionate team and help us to achieve great things in our community**_

**We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.**

Pay: $50,000.00-$53,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Paid time off

Flexible language requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person