Employment Specialist

Durham; Oshawa; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 46,000; Part time

Job summary

Durham College is seeking an Employment Specialist to coordinate and manage employment services for clients, reviewing eligibility, developing action plans, and referring to on-site and community resources. The role involves case documentation, collaboration with job developers, and travel to itinerant sites within Durham Region.

The position is a part-time role based in Oshawa Employment Services, reporting to the Manager of Employment Services.

Qualifications

• Two-year diploma in Social Service Worker required.
• Three years related work experience required.
• Career Counselling or Career Development certificates are assets.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage employment services for clients.
• Review eligibility and develop Employment Action Plans with clients.
• Refer clients to on-site and community services and track outcomes.
• Document client interactions and maintain case records per guidelines.
• Travel to itinerant sites within Durham Region as needed.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

Two-year diploma in Social Service Worker

Career Counselling Certification (assets)

Job description

Employment Specialist

COMPETITION NO. SP26-20

AboutDurham College:

Durham College (DC) is a leading post-secondary institution thatsupports students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing jobmarket. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, throughfield placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DCgrads are known for having the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to theever-changing workforce.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Durham College offers awide range of market-driven programs across multiple disciplines, includingculinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction andtrades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and communityservices, media, art and design.

Our modern campuses in Oshawa and Whitby offer145 programs – including six bachelor’s degrees and 11apprenticeship programs – tomore than 11,000 full-time post-secondary and nearly3,000 apprenticeship students. In addition, we have more than 16,000 studentregistrations in professional and part-time learning. More than 120,000 alumnirepresent the college, both locally and around the world.

DC hasan estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Regionand is proud to be an active and engaged member of the communities we serve bycontributing resources and expertise to enhance social and economic well-beingthrough partnerships, investments and collaboration.

Position Information:

Part-timesupport opportunity (regular)
Hourly rate: $40.79
Hours: 21 hours per week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of8:30 to 4:30
Reporting To: Manager, Employment Services
Department:Employment Services
Campus Location: Oshawa Employment Services (300 Taunton Rd E #18, Oshawa).Travel to other sites is required.
Vacancystatus: Existing vacancy

Duties and Responsibilities:

This is a complex positionwhich requires the coordination and management of potential services for theclient through awareness of all available resources of the Employment Ontario,Employment Services program. The incumbent is the Employment Specialist of allclients inquiring about our employment services. This is accomplished byreviewing potential eligibility, suitability of clients and if appropriate,assessment, the development of an Employment Action Plan, advocacy, guidanceand follow up on next course of action. This is accomplished through severalindividual meetings with clients. Employment Specialist also works ondetermining available resources (workshops, training, etc.) for clients andreferring clients to on-site and community services. Collaborate with JobDeveloper to assist with client’s employment needs. The incumbent mayoccasionally advocate on the client’s behalf with employers. This position alsorequires the development of an Employment Action Plan.
The position requiresconsistent documentation, maintenance of client records and utilization ofSSM/provincial/internal forms and submission of statistical information asidentified by Employment Services Program guidelines. Employment Specialistsare responsible for the overall client experience and ensuring the values andideals outlined in the SSM Employment Services Program guidelines are upheld.It also involves excellent time management skills to manage a large caseloadand achieve required program outcomes.

Case Management:

• Discuss program services and determines if services provided canmake individual employable; refer individual to other support andcommunity services when program or location are inappropriate;
  
• Screen and conduct intake assessments with potential participants todetermine eligibility and suitability for Employment Services;
  
• Conduct one-on-one sessions to assist clients in separatingstabilization needs from employment needs, identifying interests,abilities and skills, clarifying employment, training or career goals,obtaining information about career and employment opportunities,identifying steps to becoming employable, determining most appropriateemployment, education and/or training; meet SSM and Ministry programtargets/KPIs;
  
• Assist clients with the creation and follow through of EmploymentAction plans; Develop and update participants’ employment action plans toinclude training goals and information gathered through employmentcounselling services;
  
• Provide educational/vocational information to participants or directthem to available community sources;
  
• Case conference with Job developer to refer clients to jobdevelopment services, unsubsidized and subsidized opportunities toestablish appropriate job/placement best suited to client’s needs andgoals;
  
• Case conference with Job developer and other ES to clarify realisticexpectations/goals for the client;
  
• Evaluate all outcomes and maintain a follow up/monitoring system todetermine long‑term retention rates and increased performance basefunding;
  
• Explore new resources to stay current and provide additionalinformation on job search techniques and create alternate deliverymethods;
  
• Available for support to participants conducting job search;
  
• Provide group employment workshops covering areas such as career,education, job seeking and job keeping;
  
• Management of client files. Reviewing timely submitted financialtraining supports;
  
• Provide documentation to administrative support staff to facilitatetraining supports;
  
• Collect information using the Common Assessment Tool to assist indetermining clients’ suitability and eligibility;
  
• Development, delivery and facilitation of group interaction, groupexercises and roleplays independently and in co-delivery with other staff,including follow up and job maintenance workshops;
  
• Provide individual and group employment advice to multi-barrieredclients;
  
• Occasionally address workplace concerns with participants
  
• Provide, mediation, needs assessments, discuss options and worktowards solutions that are in the best interests of all parties;
  
• Provide support to clients in the resource center/reception on aweekly basis.

Administration/Documentation/File Management:

• Prepare documentation for program services including employmentaction plans and SSM/Ministry approved programs
• Verify client informationinto CaMS/ES Cases on an as needed basis;
  
• Ensure, in consultation with work team, current procedures areupdated to respond to Employment Services Program guidelines;
  
• Collaborate with Job Developer to ensure client files are up todate;
  
• Develop and maintain up to date client documentation including casenotes as per file/database template;
  
• Participate in team analysis of statistical reports generated byCaMS and ES Cases in response to continuous improvement and evaluation ofKPI’s;
  
• Prepare, produce and deliver materials and make follow up calls toclients at outcome (one, three, six and twelve months after outcome).

Resource Centre/Reception (On rotation with other team members):

New Clients/Walk-Ins/Referred Clients:

• Provide reception to new and existing clients;
  
• Explain available program and services;
  
• Assess needs, eligibility, suitability and motivation;
  
• Assist clients with registration including, explanation of servicesavailable, client privileges and responsibilities, explanation ofprocedures;
  
• Provide individual needs assessments;
  
• Contact clients via phone, email and/or text;
  
• Book appointment and/or refer to other suitable programs/servicesand/or organizations/agencies;
  
• Track/document referrals, contact attempts and fail to report.
• Promote program services to prospective participants and thecommunity at large; maintain pro-active liaison with community agencies,partners and employers;
  
• Analyze the local labour market to determine skills developmentneeds and occupational training opportunities;
  
• Act as a resource person for clients by promoting services offeredby Durham College and other providers;
  
• Travel to community agencies within Durham Region;
  
• Participate in community events;
  
• Participate in the development of annual marketing plan.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a two-year diploma in Social Service Worker, Community & Justice Services or Social Welfare & Social Development or Human Resources.
  
• A minimum of three (3) years of related work experience is required.
  
• Certificates or training in Career Counselling or Career Development, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are assets.
  
• Requires a working knowledge of workplace legislation and Health & Safety laws.
  
• Cognitive skills training i.e., behavior strategies, negotiation is an asset.
  
• Superior written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge in labour market trends, employment conditions and community agencies.
  
• Excellent presentation skills.
  
• Candidate must have reliable transportation to travel to itinerant sites.

Durham College invites applications from all qualified individuals. Durham is committed to fostering workplace diversity, and, provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout our hiring process. If you require this information in alternate format; require communication supports; an accommodation in applying for a posting and/or if you are selected for an interview, please contact our Human Resources (HR) department and an HR assistant will work with you to meet your needs.

We thank you for your interest in employment with Durham College however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.