Employee Connection Specialist

**Potential for remote/hybrid work**

**BONUS**: Upon hire, you will receive a one-time signing bonus of $500 on your first paycheque after your employment commences. At six months of employment, you will receive a second lump sum of $500.

**Ready to make a difference?**

Under the leadership of the Director of Communications and Employee Experience (CD&EE), the Employee Connection Specialist (ECS) focuses on the employee experience from beginning to end, with particular emphasis on the first year of new employee’s experience. The ECS serves as the expert in leading employee experience trends and practices and supports the development and implementation of employee engagement programs and assesses existing initiatives for effectiveness.

**WHO WE ARE**

**We believe in endless possibilities.**

DeafBlind Ontario Services supports people who are deafblind, as well as people who are Deaf, hard of hearing and non-verbal with a developmental disability. Specialized services are customized to each person’s unique needs, method of communication, and goals to live their best life.

**YOU ARE**
- Passionate - you embrace challenges and opportunities with energy and enthusiasm;
- Collaborative - you are willing to learn and teach, because together we are better;
- Resilient - you learn, persevere, and grow from setbacks and challenges;
- Lifelong Learner - you are willing to be trained and committed to ongoing learning;
- **You believe that one person can make a difference.**

**YOUR ROLE**
- Serves as the primary point of contact for culture and engagement research and leading practices to help strengthen the relationship between the employee, their direct supervisor, and their teams. Identifies and recommends approaches or training, and determining best approach for consultation. Monitors organizational culture and provide insights and feedback to culture shifts.
- Collaborates with senior leaders and departments to build onboarding plans, tailored to a new hire’s role and objectives, and following throughout their first year of employment. Responsible for implementing, maintaining, and evaluating the plans to ensure new hire training is engaging and employees feel welcomed, equipped, and integrated into the company culture.
- Gathers employee feedback via various platforms such as direct communication, online engagement platform, lifecycle/touch point surveys, and advises and supports leaders to plan, design, and execute large, formalized employee feedback surveys. Monitors and analyzes results and provides recommendations on resolution of engagement concerns.
- Collaborates with others to develop, lead and support programs and projects for employee recognition and total-wellbeing initiatives and events, including:

- Awareness, motivation, and resources for employee health and wellness & work-life balance
- Policies and facilitating training in various engagement and diversity topics such as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Cultural Sensitivity, Awareness Training etc.
- Annual celebrations employee recognition program, town halls, and CEO/COO related activities.
- Promotes a positive work environment by building and maintaining strong partnerships and connections across the organization to identify and share best practices that support and enhance the employee experience. Cultivates and maintains strategic relationships with external partners to enhance the organization's initiatives
- Collaborates with the Communications Specialist regarding employee engagement on the organization’s social media platforms to ensure updates, news and reminders are shared on a regular basis, while also monitoring to address / direct employee questions appropriately.
- Promotes the values of the organization within the workplace and in the community by demonstrating positive and professional relationships with other agency staff, families, volunteers, advocates, and employers.

**Requirements**:
Education & Experience:

- Completion of a University degree or diploma in Communications, Human Resources, Organizational Psychology, or a related field.
- 3 to 6 years of experience in communications, human resources, or engagement capacity, preferably in the not-for-profit sector.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Working knowledge of organizational behaviour and employee engagement theory.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills to confidentially handle sensitive situations with tact, empathy, respect, and professionalism at all times.
- Strong relationship-building with integrity and building trust within organizations and the Community
- Passion for the organization as an ambassador and liaison for new employees
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to effectively convey messaging and deliver training.
- Strong technical skills with Adobe Creative Suite and/or Canva
- Comfortable with technology and knowledge of online training or learning platforms (e.g. Brightspace)
- Dem