Employment Specialist

Reporting to the program manager, the Employment Specialist will be responsible for supporting and coaching residents and community members to develop their knowledge and success in employment related programming and career preparation.

They will operate within a transitional housing program and community center focuses on providing services to youth between the ages of 16-24 who are at risk of homelessness.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Create and facilitate psycho-educational programming on overcoming barriers of employment
- Perform one-on-one career and work counseling (resume writing, job searching, interview preparation, job skills, etc)
- Act as a primary worker providing case management to a caseload of up to 5 residents
- Complete residential based daily operation tasks (assisting residents with chores, cooking, budgeting, etc)
- Source volunteer opportunities to prepare clients for future employment
- Build and maintain partnerships with employers to increase job opportunities for clients
- Develop an employer registry of community partners seeking employment from residents
- Coordinate employment workshops
- Assist youth to develop plans to meet their vocational objectives
- Assist youth in assessing vocational rehabilitation needs
- Link clients to vocational rehabilitation and employment supports
- Program and facilitate literacy and learning disabilities workshops
- Assist youth with coping mechanisms to physical and emotional barriers
- Assist clients in developing and maintaining community supports, daily living, and social skills necessary to obtain independency in the community.
- Liaise with community support and partners (i.e. mental health and addiction service providers, employers, primary care facilitators, and family members)
- Work independently and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to carry out recovery and support
- Understand and be able to integrate a philosophy of client-centered care into daily responsibilities
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to quality care and service delivery based on SHIP’s Mission and Values
- Ensure appropriate records are kept and make sure that statistical information is maintained as per agency standards
- Adhere to agency Health & Safety Program and the Client Safety Framework
- Perform additional duties as required/delegated by Management

**Qualifications**:

- Post-secondary education in Social Work, Social Services, Health Services, or equivalent
- +3 years experience supporting youth and/or the homeless population
- Demonstrated competency in Vocational Rehabilitation, Addictions, and Trauma Informed practices
- Individual and group counselling skills
- Excellent assessment, risk management, and crisis intervention
- Knowledge of psychiatric symptomology and medication as well as suicide assessment and intervention
- Expertise in collaboration with the community while supporting the mental health population
- Knowledge of MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook)
- A vehicle, valid driver’s license, and adequate insurance coverage
- Valid Certification in First Aid & CPR
- Training in ASIST and CPI

**Reporting Function**:
The Employment Specialist will report directly to the Program Manager. They will work with both internal and external partners and will interact with all levels within the organization. They will have no supervisory responsibilities.

They will be a support system, resource, and an advocator for the team and Company.

**Working Conditions and Physical Requirements**:

- Hours are typically from Monday - Friday, 3:30pm - Midnight but may vary depending on client needs
- Required to work statutory holidays
- Average amount of physical effort is required.
- Able to sit/stand for prolonged periods of time
- Able to answer and communicate telephone calls and general computer use
- Able to lift up to 20lbs (product, documents, etc.)
- Vehicle travel to sites for visits/walk-throughs and open doors as required.

**Ship Values**:

- Compassion, Hope, Inclusive, Respect, Professional

**About Us**

Services and Housing In the Province (**SHIP**) is a Provincial leader in the broader public sector that builds strategic partnerships and programs that support the fundamental rights for Housing and Health Services throughout the Peel Region, Dufferin County, Region of Waterloo and surrounding areas.

Our commitment to increase quality of life through health services and housing supports that promote mental and physical health and wellness is at the forefront of every employee we hire. We value compassion, hope, inclusiveness, respect, and professionalism.

Our organization has supported the region for over 35 years and employs over 300 passionately engaged employees ranging from office administration, nurses, and service health specialists to housing specialists all dedicated to the community, clients, and families.

**Accessibility**
- “SHIP strives to be equitable and inclusive in all that we do. Equity is a c