Customized Employment Specialist

**Full Time Position: Customized Employment Specialist**
**Neil Squire, Port Moody/Tri-Cities, BC**

**Neil Squire** is a Canadian national not-for-profit organization that empowers Canadians with disabilities through the use of computer-based assistive technologies, research and development, and various employment programs. Headquartered in Burnaby, BC, Neil Squire is presently hiring a Customized Employment Specialist for the YWCA WorkBC Program, a project funded by the Ministry of Social Services.

Our Society operates many programs throughout BC and across Canada. Our Customized Employment Specialist will work closely with the YWCA in their WorkBC Employment Services program, which includes service delivery to clients located in the Tri-Cities area. Experience with the Integrated Case Management (ICM) program is strongly desired.

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Conduct formal needs assessments through a structured interview process to jointly identify and prioritize issues that are keeping the client from achieving employment
- Collaboratively conduct the Discovery process with the client in a variety of work environments, trying different tasks and interaction styles leading to the creation of a comprehensive Employment Profile
- Develop personalized plans that address client’s needs and make use of the targeted services available within the ESC, and make referrals to community resources as needed
- Monitor client progress by reviewing activities, learning outcomes, and results on an agreed upon schedule and communication medium
- Review, revise and update action plans as necessary to enhance self-sufficiency and sustainable labour market attachment
- Ensure the client achieves employment (or community attachment) in a timely manner
- Utilize the integrated case management system (ICM) to capture client data and to evidence qualitative and quantitative outcomes
- Working with job seekers to determine their individual needs and skills to market to employers in the labour market
- Collaborating with Case Managers to ensure Client employment goals are inline with signed action plan
- Conducting and managing schedule of one-to-one job development meetings
- Facilitating Wage Subsidy Work Experience Placements
- Maintaining accurate Client notes and records as per policy and QA guidelines
- Liaising with employers to organize targeted hiring events and connect them with other services
- Act as a champion of the program, promoting our services throughout community and networking events
- Working collaboratively to assist with outcomes of the larger job development team
- Strategize with leadership to continually improve processes and increase employment statistics
- Write client progress notes, follow up reports and success stories
- Open, maintain and close client files using the ICM
- Understand and complete work in accordance with WorkBC policy, and YWCA performance expectations
- Determine client need and eligibility and administer financial supports when appropriate
- Complete necessary documentation and prepare financial reports as required
- Ensure client activities are based on need and fall within the scope of the budget parameters
- Ensure billing milestones and employment sustainment targets for the program are met on an individual basis each month
- Attend and contribute to team meetings
- Communicate effectively with service providers, funders, internal stakeholders and clients
- Perform other related duties as requested, including providing back up and client services in the Self-Serve Area, Facilitation and Job Placement or Job Sustainment Services

**Qualifications and Experience**:

- A post-secondary degree, certificate or diploma in a relevant field (career or employment development, counselling, social work, sociology, psychology, human services, education), or a certificate or diploma or course work in related fields, or a combination of training and experience in an area related to the program
- Experience working with individuals with complex barriers and a broad range of cultural backgrounds
- Sound knowledge of the Employment Insurance Act, BC Employment and Assistance program and WorkBC Employment Services policies
- Knowledge of motivational interviewing
- Experience Job coaching/counselling
- Excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication skills,
- Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
- Proficient in Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, the Internet and Integrated Case Management system (ICM)
- Experience providing customer service and resolving issues both in person and in a virtual service delivery environment
- Experience conducting and interpreting client needs assessments, coaching and mentoring clients
- Experience building partnerships with employers, community agencies and other stakeholders
- Experience developing mutually agreed-upon action plans and monitoring progress