Employment Specialist

receptionhouse; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EFAP

Staff appreciation events

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

Reception House is seeking an Employment Specialist to join the Programs, Employment team on a full‑time contract ending March 31, 2027. The role focuses on intensive employment support for clients, with a 37.5‑hour week, on-site in Waterloo Region, and a starting salary of $55,000 per year.

Fluent English required; additional languages are assets. Responsibilities include assessments, individualized planning, job search coaching, and collaboration with employers and settlement teams to help

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in career development or social services is an asset.
• Minimum one year of experience in social services or career development work.
• Knowledge of Employment Ontario protocols & processes is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of the local labor market, employment pathways, and community resources.
• Experience speaking in front of others in a teaching or training environment an asset.
• Knowledge of employment legislation and labour laws.
• Excellent computer skills with Microsoft Office 365 and Employment Ontario databases.

Responsibilities

• Conducts employment needs assessments to identify clients’ skills, knowledge, competencies, and interests.
• Develop individualized employment plans/pathways with clients to support employment goals.
• Provides employment-related orientation, job search help, coaching, resume writing, and language support.
• Educate clients about working in Canada, workplace cultures, rights, and workforce participation.
• Support clients in workplace integration, including workshops, paystubs, taxes, and logistics.
• Coach for job search including mock interviews and feedback.
• Collaborate with settlement teams to promote employment opportunities for newcomers.
• Attend employment events and build relationships with employers to secure opportunities.
• Update databases and track participant progress and outcomes.

Skills

Active listening

Interpersonal communication

Relationship building

Cross-cultural environment

Problem solving

Eagerness to learn

Education

Post-secondary education in career development or social services

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Employment Ontario databases

Job description

Job Information:

Job title: Employment Specialist

Department/Team: Programs, Employment

Reports to: Employment Manager

Job Type: Full-time contract position ending March 31, 2027

Hours per week: 37.5 hours/week, Monday - Friday 9am-4:30pm, less a daily unpaid ½ hour break.

Location: on-site

Minimum Experience: Mid-Level

Compensation: $55,000 per year

Number of vacancies: 1

Police check is required: Vulnerable

Language requirements: Fluency in English. Knowledge of additional language an asset, such as French, Arabic, Somali, Dari/Pashtu, Tigrinya and Rohingya.

This vacancy is for an existing role.

About Reception House

Reception House is a non-profit, community-based organization that delivers quality settlement, integration and support services to refugees and newcomers in Waterloo Region. Since 1987, Reception House has helped thousands of refugees rebuild their lives in Canada through specialized programs and services designed to help them become established in their new communities.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a full-time contract Employment Specialist on our employment team. The Employment Specialist provides intensive employment support to assigned clients in their caseload. The primary objective for the Employment Specialist (ES), is to identify and evaluate clients’ skills, knowledge, competencies and interests, creating a personalized approach to employment services. The ES supports clients from pre-employment services through initial workplace support as well as continued support to ensure a smooth long-term integration of clients hired into a workplace..

What you’ll do:

• Conducts employment needs assessments to identify clients’ skills, knowledge, competencies, and interests.
• In collaboration with clients, develop individualized employment plans/pathways to support clients in achieving their employment or career goals.
• Provides employment-related orientation, job search help, coaching, and services such as resume writing, filling out job applications, and language support.
• Educate clients about working in Canada, including workplace cultures, their employment rights and encouraging them to enter the workforce in Canada.
• Supports clients in successful workplace integration including workshops, workplace tours, reviewing pay cheques and pay stubs, explaining taxes, and employment-related logistics (showing bus routes, arranging carpools).
• Coach and support clients in preparation for their job search (such as through mock interviews) providing constructive feedback and answering questions.
• Work collaboratively with RH settlement and resettlement teams to promote the benefits of employment with clients and encourage newcomers to engage with employment.
• Attend employment-related events and develop collaborative relationships with employers for the purpose of securing employment opportunities for clients.
• Regularly update the database, keep updated reports on services delivered, tracking participant progress, employment outcomes, collect feedback, and offer recommendations on program activities.

What you’ll need:

• Post-secondary education in career development or social services, settlement work, or related field an asset.
• Minimum one year of experience in social services or career development work.
• Knowledge of Employment Ontario protocols & processes is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of the local labor market, employment pathways, and employment-related resources in the community.
• Experience speaking in front of others in a teaching or training environment an asset.
• Knowledge of employment legislation and labour laws.
• Knowledge of additional community resources is an asset.
• Excellent computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office 365 suite and Employment Ontario databases an asset.
• Ability to create presentations and resources.
• Possess strong knowledge about the local community and resources available.
• Able to set and manage appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Eager to learn new things and solve problems.
• Ability to build relationships and work in a culturally diverse environment.
• High level of active listening and interpersonal communication skills, written and verbal, both in-person and virtual contexts.
• A high level of self-awareness, intercultural competency, and sensitive to cultural and life experiences including trauma and harm.
• Excellent resourcefulness, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to take initiative, think critically and be pro-active with tasks.
• Uphold RHWR vision, mission and values while serving clients and interacting with employers and other service providers in the community.

Working conditions:

• Primarily working at a desk in a stationary position, using computer and related peripherals.
• Heightened risk of exposure to communicable diseases, vicarious trauma and high-stress environment.
• A valid driver’s license and access to a car is preferred.
• Some evening and weekend work may be needed to attend meetings and events.
• Must be physically able to move freely throughout buildings and travel within community (Waterloo Region) with reasonable accommodations as required.

Benefits:

• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Staff appreciation events
• Wellness initiatives

Reception House Waterloo Region welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and individuals from all equity-seeking groups. We will accommodate candidates partaking in the recruitment process upon request. If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please contact us at [e-mail].

We are committed to providing clear and equitable compensation information. The compensation posted reflects the expected pay for this role at the time of posting and may be adjusted based on experience, internal equity, and market conditions.