Employment Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The mandate of Employment and Social Services is to provide financial assistance, employment supports and related programs such as Ontario Works, Essential Health and Social Supports (EHSS), Child Care, Residential services and the Home Support program through four Employment and Social Services sites.

You are responsible for the provision of individual and group employment counselling/coaching, community and employment placements, employability skills training and assisting Ontario Works participants, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) clients and individuals from the community in making effective use of branch and community services.

You assist individuals in exploring career, training and employment options by developing appropriate action plans designed to overcome the challenges faced in securing and maintaining employment. You also develop, negotiate, promote and monitor employment opportunities, coordinate training and educational opportunities, manage relationships with employers and community partners, and provide employment liaison and job retention services.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 3 year university degree in psychology, sociology, social work, business administration, public administration or related field

Minimum of 12 months of experience in social services programs, some of which must be in individual and/or group employment counselling/coaching

KNOWLEDGE

• Group and individual employability assessment, coaching and counselling methods
• Programs and services for un/underemployed City residents including Ontario Works participants related to education, training, skill development, job creation and employment
• Employment-related resource materials
• Economic base and labour market trends in Ottawa
• Special needs/requirements of Ontario Works participants/ODSP recipients
• Employment and community placement - development and marketing strategies
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Provide group and individual employment counselling, coaching, placement supervision and placement/job retention services to disadvantaged people
• Design workshops, tools, presentations to assist clients entering or re-entering the labour market
• Establish effective working relationships with employment support staff and people of diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds
• Establish and maintain partnerships with employers, community organizations, education and training institutions, private and public sector agencies
• Demonstrate negotiation, facilitation, communication skills and abilities
• Provide computer assistance e.g. Windows environment
• Perform crisis intervention
• Deal effectively with distressed, hard to serve and potentially volatile clients in an open concept office environment
• Effectively manage multiple demands, conflicting priorities and changing schedules inherent in a multi-service, client driven operation
• Solve problems resourcefully and creatively in a timely manner
• Resourceful and innovative
• Excellent organizational skills
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Flexible and adaptable
• Demonstrate tact, empathy, sensitivity and discretion
• Work both independently and as part of a team