Employment Specialist

Rate: TBD based on Union Collective Agreement

Hours: 37.5h/week; Monday – Friday; 0900 – 1700

Location: 150 Eglinton Ave E, Suite 807; Yonge & Eglinton

Type: Contract till Feb 2025 (high chance of renewal)

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES (include but not limited to):

Main Duties:

To ensure the delivery of this employment service, we are seeking a qualified Employment Specialist with strong case management and job placement experience in the Employment Ontario model.  

• Manages a caseload of 100-300 clients annually, including clients with multiple barriers and making appropriate referrals to applicable services and interventions according to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Employment Service Delivery Guidelines
• Facilitates the identification and assessment of the participant’s employment needs, and the development of a realistic Service Plan with emphasis on job matching, placement and incentives and job/training retention, using the service planning coordination model/ES, ACEC model, and Common Assessment model
• Ensures that proper written documentation and details for each file are complete within a timely manner and consistently updated in internal mandated online data systems ready for file audits
• Generates valid job leads with supports and resources to facilitate the hiring of clients with or without incentives
• Negotiates and administers placement agreements and employer incentives such as, job matching and placement incentives and on the job training.
• Initiates and maintains accurate documentation of contacted employers, job leads and any other job development activity for information retrieval
• Assists clients with the provision of resource and information within the TCES Resource Room regarding their job search, including assisting with computer/Internet, and telephone
• Achieves all employment service outcomes and monthly statistical figures
• Accurately documents client and employer information in the client relationship database system
• Participates in the evaluation of program activities, including collection of statistics and feedback.
• Attends meeting/case conferencing and visits agencies to promote TCES services and updates knowledge of changes in programs and resources available to participants
• Ability to respond to inquiries and support employers throughout the Canada Ontario Job Grant application process
• Ensure that COJG training agreements are approved and signed prior to the start date of training
• Experienced with entering accurate information into the ministry portal -EIOS-CaMS
• Ensure accurate record keeping and all supporting documentation for COJG agreement are maintained and available for auditing purposes
• Review, assess, recommend individuals who qualify for Better Job Ontario as per the guidelines
• Makes appropriate recommendations and referrals for skills training in accordance with the Better Jobs Ontario guidelines, the Employment Ontario Job Matching Placement Incentives/Apprenticeship and other programs and services
• Works collectively with the team to meet contractual program targets and deadlines
• Participates in the ongoing evaluation of TCES’ programs and services primarily through the vehicle of staff meetings
• Dispenses services to the clients in a manner consistent with the aims and objectives of TCES
• Attend staff and board meetings as required by the management team

Facilitation

• Conducts Career Decision Making/Career Exploration workshops for assessment of interests and aptitudes, personality, work preference, skills and values, career planning, change and transition, goal setting, labour market information, informational interviewing and individual research on occupations and training suggested by assessments and inventories in group or one on one
• Conducts workshops on effective Job Search strategies (cold calling, job posting analysis, salary negotiation etc.) in group or one- on- one
• Delivers TCES approved workshop material in a timely and professional manner
• Provides resources and information in groups and one-on-one with clients and are able to apply information to their job search, or to apply for other programs and services
• Uses directories and other resources to teach clients how to research companies and job postings, works collaboratively with team members to develop new appropriate material for workshops
• Seeks feedback on facilitation and continuously incorporates changes based on clients’ needs

Case Management/Coordination

• Assesses clients needs and make appropriate referrals to Employment Ontario programs and services and monitors the clients progress
• Coaches and motivates participants during job search and after placement to ensure job retention by identifying areas that require additional support and /or learning
• Assesses participants’ employment goals and establishes whether further referrals are required
• Provide one on one counselling services to clients seeking employment and/or training opportunities and assesses individuals for Second Career Training program
• Provides enhancement support to participants and employers by conducting on-site visits and developing support plans with individuals, mentors and /or employers as needed
• Monitors and supports employers and participants to ensure success by continuously conducting follow-ups

Documentation and Reporting

• Participates in staff meetings and assists in fulfilling and implementing the TCES business plan to ensure quality client service targets are being delivered and target outcomes met
• Prepares and submits weekly reports on the number of clients assessed and their results
• Participates in staff meetings/case conferencing to report on progress of each client
• Participates in morning meetings and assists in creating the plan for each day to ensure quality client service is delivered
• Updates and maintains client registration, assessment, and case management system
• Fulfills all employment service documentation requirements
• Liaise with service providers to make suitable referrals and documents information in our online case management systems and our paper filing system
• Accurately documents and maintains all clients’ interventions and outcomes in files/customized case management database
• Assists with preparation and facilitation of agency events (open houses, job fairs, media events, etc.)
• Develops customized action plans for clients using the results of individual needs assessments
• Conducts exit interviews with participants and service providers to ensure service provided was in accordance with service plans and met the highest standards of TCES.
• Ensures participants complete customer satisfaction surveys to provide feedback on services accessed
• Ensures timely and accurate documentation of service conclusion with the outcomes of client service clearly indicated to be used for reporting to the funder
• Other responsibilities may be assigned by the management team in any areas of service as needed

Job Development

• Support growth of TCES by building 20+ employer relationships through understanding customer needs and providing solutions for their business
• Connects with 3-5 new employers each month that reflect the employment needs of active jobseeker clients within the counsellor’s caseload
• Conducts active outreach to employers to identify opportunities and promote employer services (Job Placement with Incentive and without Incentive– job trial, job experience and on-the-job training, etc)
• Maintains ongoing relationships with clients, and employers assisting in troubleshooting when challenges arise, promoting opportunities for promotions, advancement, and advocating for fair treatment of the clients needs as required.
• Negotiates and administers placement agreements and employer incentives for wage incentives and on the job training, monitoring training plans to ensure agreement expectations are met
• Contact employers either by cold calling, setting up appointments, email, LinkedIn, to get job leads within the hidden job market
• Assist with organizing and promoting hiring/placement events to connect employers with job seekers
• Job Matching employers with suitable candidates for their vacancies and work with employers to help facilitate other HR related needs
• Initiates and maintains accurate documentation of contacted employers, job leads and any other job development activity for information retrieval
• Provide daily, weekly, and monthly statistical reports detailing the number of contacts made and outcomes
• Research companies/employers to develop potential employment and placement leads and job opportunities for participants. An emphasis will be placed on employers with opportunities for TCES participants
• Interact, respond and follow up with employers on a daily basis, and promptly responding to all inquiries in an efficient manner

Community Outreach

• Plans and executes an effective outreach plan targeting appropriate clientele
• Recruits participants and ensures that required number of participants start services to meet the intake numbers required by the funder and to ensure the ongoing viability of the program
• Initiates and maintains documentation of all contacted program applicants’ progress from beginning to end of service
• Develops ideas for outreach and with supervisor’s approval, implements those ideas and maintains such strategies
• Participates in community events, job fairs and such activities to inform jobseekers about TCES and recruit them for the program
• Visits and builds relationships with Community Partners in the area for referrals of participants including Libraries, Community Centers Toronto Community Housing, etc.
• Maintains flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Teamwork and Coverage

• Provides coverage for team members to maintain service levels at all times in the areas of customer service, assessment, facilitation, administration and job search support
• Performs any other duties necessary to facilitate the day-to-day operation of the organization and its programmes/services in a manner consistent with TCES’ policies/philosophy and operating guidelines in an efficient and effective manner.

QUALIFICATIONS

• College Diploma or University Degree in Career and Work Counselling, Social Work or equivalent education and experience is required
• Experience working in case management software, Service Planning and Coordination model, as well as Common Assessment Model, ACEC model, Employment Ontario model and MS Office is a definite asset
• Experience using Employment Ontario’s Case Management System – (EIOS-CaMS)
• Advanced proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Powerpoint, Excel,) as well as Zoom, and Outlook 365 applications including Teams, SharePoint, Google Forms)
• Over 3+ years of employment service experience in the areas of career counselling, employer outreach, job retention, job development and job coaching. Preference will be given to candidates who possess hand-on vocational counsellor and/ or job placement experience within a non-profit setting
• Maintains up to date knowledge on industry, labour market trends to support employers and provide related information
• Strong communication and analytical skills
• Vocational counselling placement experience with individuals who have multiple barriers will be considered a strong asset
• Able to communicate to all participants, service providers, employers, referral contacts and coworkers in a respectful, positive, and professional manner
• Demonstrates professionalism, tact and diplomacy when facing challenging situations
• Punctual, flexible to work outside of normal business hours when needed, including evenings and weekends if required
• Valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is essential for local travel
• Fluent in a second language will be strongly considered an asset

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please submit your resume and cover letter to the Executive Director by October 9 2024 by 5:00 pm at tces@tces.on.ca.