Employment Specialist

Maximus; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Maximus is seeking an Employment Specialist to help customers overcome barriers to employment in the Northeast. You will develop relationships with clients, create action plans, and provide coaching, aimed at equipping individuals with skills for sustained employment. This role requires a strong commitment to customer care and collaborative problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.
• Ability to build relationships and listen effectively.
• Flexible approach and strong commitment to customer care.

Responsibilities

• Support customers in overcoming barriers to employment.
• Develop personalized action plans with clients.
• Assess customer circumstances and facilitate job readiness.

Skills

Customer focussed

Strong communicator

Creative problem-solving

Education

Experience in Welfare to Work sector

Knowledge of employability industry

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Introduction

Be part of something great

Maximus is a global organisation that specialises in providing health and employment services to millions of people every year. Here in the UK, we employ around 5,000 people across the country to deliver services that have a profound impact on people’s lives. From assessments and health services to employability programmes and specialist support, we do work that matters with people who care.

"In anticipation of Contract Award, we may have possible opportunities to recruit Employment Specialists within Employability across the Northeast to include Newcastle, County Durham, Sunderland, Northumberland, Gateshead, North & South Tyneside. If you are interested, please apply with your CV as an Expression of Interest"

Duties & Responsibilities

As an Employment Specialist, you will be working directly with a caseload of customers to help them overcome barriers to employment, providing vital support to help people transform their lives. By motivating and empowering the people you work with, you will equip individuals with the necessary skills and confidence to enable secure and sustained employment.

You will develop strong relationships by encouraging, motivating and challenging your customers to fulfil their potential, whilst ensuring you meet your own job specific targets.

1. Meet personal performance targets and Key Performance Indicators
2. Manage a caseload of customers using a variety of coaching strategies, ensuring they are prepared for interviews and job searching
3. Undertake in-depth assessments using a suite of tools to fully understand a customer’s circumstances, preferences and holistic barriers to progression
4. Co-produce personalised tailored SMART action plans with sequenced interventions and development opportunities
5. Use an integration framework of local specialist services to obtain support to address specific issues (e.g., substance misuse, anger management, debt advice, health and vocational training)
6. Identify the specific recruitment needs of each employer and undertake tailored pre-screens and group assessments
7. Co-produce effective in-work support plans with participants and employers
8. Proactively participate in continuous improvement activities to ensure that the service continues to deliver excellent customer service
9. Fully comply with company policies including those for personal data security, safeguarding and health & safety
10. Work from local hubs and community outreach locations (sometimes alongside other services e.g., housing, health and primary care centres) to increase service accessibility.

Qualifications & Experience

1. Customer focussed with a strong commitment to customer care
2. A strong team player with a positive and flexible approach to work and colleagues
3. Previous experience of working in a fast paced, target driven environment
4. Previous experience of delivering services to meet contractual and quality standards
5. Fully IT literate in using a range of Microsoft Office programmes to include 365 products and modern digital technologies, i.e., Microsoft Teams/Zoom/Google
6. Strong communicator - demonstrating an ability to listen, question and build relationships
7. Demonstrable creative problem-solving skills and a positive approach to challenging and overcoming any barriers
8. Demonstrable ability to plan and organise workload to meet required targets and deadlines
9. Prior experience of working in a similar role in the Welfare to Work sector is desirable
10. Knowledge of the employability industry is desirable
11. Previous experience of working in a Recruitment background is desirable

EEO Statement

Maximus is committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process. We know that feeling included has a dramatic impact on personal wellbeing and are working to ensure that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment due to any personal characteristic. Advertisements for posts will include sufficiently clear and accurate information to enable potential applicants to assess their own suitability for the post.

We are a Disability Confident Leader, thanks to our commitment to the recruitment, retention and career development of people with disabilities and long-term conditions. The Disability Confident scheme includes a guaranteed interview for any applicant with a disability who meets the minimum requirements for a job. When you complete your job application you will find a question asking you if you would like to apply under the Disability Confident Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you feel that you have a disability and apply under this scheme, providing that you meet the essential criteria for the job, you will then be invited for interview. Your Guaranteed Interview application will only be shared with the hiring manager and the local resourcing team. Where reasonable, Maximus will review and consider adjustments for those applicants who express a requirement for them during the recruitment process.