Employment Consultant

**Our Story**:
Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect and innovation.

This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.

**Description of Duties**:

- Supports participants in the Employment Ontario program and Region of Waterloo employment initiatives to achieve and sustain long-term employment. Works with participants to develop employment action plans and provides/facilitates employment-ready supports, including coaching/counselling, training, and liaising with community partners for service coordination, referrals, and other activities.
- Develops paid job opportunities with local employers for program participants. Matches participants with employers, and provides supports for long-term job retention and successful employment relationships.
- Participates in the design and development of community outreach initiatives and networking events, such as career fairs, employer recognition, and other community initiatives.

**Duties & Responsibilities**:

- Assesses participants' skills, aptitudes, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, career goals, and potential impact of employment barriers, and determines programs and/or placements to best meet their needs.
- Develops employment action plans with participants to meet their individual needs and fulfil Employment Ontario program requirements. Interviews participants and uses a standardized provincial assessment tool to determine eligibility and appropriate entry or re-entry points to the program.
- Participates in participant performance and employer placement evaluations. Provides job placement support, including crisis intervention, mediation, job maintenance, and preventive measures.
- Supports participants to develop clear, concise career goals, improve life skills, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and use effective job search techniques. Provides career planning, custom training, and job search strategies to individuals with diverse ability and skill levels.
- Connects participants with resources, tools, training, and referrals to other agencies, continuing education and training programs, or other programs, including formal counselling, as appropriate.
- Provides employment coaching/counselling and support to participants experiencing difficulty adjusting to employment, regarding barriers to employment, and related issues.
- Consults with OW caseworkers and community agency staff for service coordination and case planning/management.
- Maintains program and participant records, including assessments, documentation, and outcomes. Tracks and runs monthly activity data and reports.
- Conducts follow-up interviews with participants at various stages during and after programming.
- Facilitates/delivers employment-related group training/workshops (e.g., job search strategies, skills development, resume writing). Develops training plans and activities to meet program requirements and local needs. Creates new or uses existing resources, modifying content according to audience and learning outcomes.
- Researches employment-related topics, such as career planning, training programs, job search skills, and labour market conditions and trends. Collaborates with other training hosts, employers, government offices, and community agencies to develop or provide training programs
- Promotes the program as part of outreach initiatives to employers, community agencies, the business community, and public (e.g., presentations, job fairs).
- Provides input and employment-related expertise to support program development, service delivery, and meet program mandate.
- Issues financial support to participants for employment-related expenses, such as transportation, personal needs, training costs, on boarding, and job search expenses; and financial incentives to employers, such as wage incentives, within established limits and guidelines.
- Contacts education service providers to arrange training for participants and to facilitate outreach services. Liaises with community and social service agencies, job preparation centres, schools, and other government partner agencies for information, referral, case planning, and advocacy regarding the provision of service to participants. Consults with workplace health and safety staff regarding worksite and/or participant safety issues.
- Recommends and purchases program resources and materials.
- Plans and prioritizes work within established program guidelines set out by the Prov