Employment Consultant – IESD

FOCUS Community Development Corporation

Report To: Program Manager / Team leader

Location: Wasaga Beach Office

Position Profile:

The primary purpose of the Employment Consultant is to provide comprehensive employment counselling, help job seekers develop job readiness skills and training, and provide case management and long-term retention support to assist job seekers in finding and sustaining employment. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Employment Consultant will meet one-on-one with clients and assist them in defining, attaining, and sustaining employment. This will involve case conferencing with social assistance, career exploration, vocational testing, goal setting, resume development, job search and coaching for job retention.

The Employment Consultant may also develop and facilitate job search clinics to be delivered in-person or virtually, which support job search and job maintenance skills. The Employment Consultant is responsible for remaining current on labour market information: salaries, working conditions, etc. They will, under the direction of the Program Manager, effectively maintain client case files and meet all activities and targets of the designated program area(s). This is a key position for the organization and requires in-depth knowledge of FOCUS’ services and referral processes to facilitate appropriate decision-making.

Key Performance Indicators:

• All telephone calls returned in one business day(24 hours)
• All Voicemail returned within one business day (24 hours)
• All emails acknowledged within 2 business days (48 hours)
• Customers will have a scheduled appointment within 1 week of contact
• Maintain an active caseload of approximately 200, primarily Stream B and C clients. Administer the CAT to 200 clients annually.

Client case notes and required client/employer documentation is up to date on multiple platforms, including ES Cases, Thrive, and internal tracking sheets. Program Outcomes To meet all program targets (intake numbers, outcomes, customer satisfaction, etc.) per our funding agreements. These targets will be clearly defined at the beginning of each fiscal year in consultation with the Executive Director.

Key Functions:

Assist clients in defining and attaining their employment goals and developing the skills needed to meet workplace expectations. To meet this objective, you will:

a)     Administer the Common Assessment Tool with assisted clients to determine the stream and service levels required. Ability to understand and document the client’s employment-related strengths, needs, abilities, skills and other employment-related factors to determine the client's level of employment readiness and employment service needs.

b)     Based on client streaming, discuss appropriate services and programming, including life stabilization; literacy and basic skills, job retention requirements, specialized supports required and disability accommodation

c)      Develop an Employment Action Plan (EAP) with each client that includes a minimum of two activities that move the individual toward employment.

d)     Conduct a thorough assessment utilizing the Serco Action Planning Tool to identify and develop tools and strategies to minimize barriers to maintaining employment. Monitors, evaluates and adjusts employment action plan as required.

e)     Assist clients with the use of technology, including computers, internet, photocopier, phone, TTY, job boards, printers, accessing email, completing online applications, etc.

f)       Assist clients in developing resumes, cover letters, job search correspondence, interview preparation and researching training/apprenticeship opportunities.

g)     Coach clients in effective job search techniques, labour market, occupational research, career decision making and planning

h)     Utilize the Thrive platform to assist clients in creating a profile

i)       Familiarize clients with community resources, Better Jobs Ontario and other programming offered at FOCUS and in the community.

j)       Make appropriate referrals to internal/external programs and services for education, training, and social services in the community

k)      Review organization-developed job postings and external job posting sites and cold-call employers to develop job leads for clients.

l)       Contact all clients regularly to share job leads, provide positive reinforcement, and stay updated on their employment status.

m)    Refer clients appropriately to both internal and external programs and services.

n)     Identify training needs for clients, including literacy and essential skills, employability skills, and short and long-term skill training.

o)     Determine the need for training funding; and/or job development and placement support and refer to Employer Services for placement agreements.

p)     Facilitate job search clinics for clients on topics that will better orient them to the workplace.

q)     In coordination with the Program Manager, move clients into the Outcomes phase once they have achieved goals in EAP for job retention monitoring based on approved IESD program outcomes and conduct a Customer Service Survey with the client.

  Job Retention  

Support clients in maintaining employment by continuing service and support for up to 12 months after they have been employed.  To meet this objective, you will:

a)     Continue to support the client with full access to FOCUS’s services, financial support, and referral to other programs.

b)     Provide job coaching and support or link clients with mentors and coaches in the workplace to ensure retention

c)      Collect verification of employment from the client in the form of Employer Letter, Pay Stub, Client Attestation and forward to Data Management to upload onto ES Cases to facilitate Performance Based Funding allocations at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.  Conduct Customer Service Surveys with clients as required and document all contact with clients/employers in ES Cases.

  Administrative/Organizational  

Maintain workloads appropriately and utilize effective time management techniques to ensure that clients and tasks are tended to in a timely manner.  To meet this objective, you will:

a)     Ensure data is input correctly into ES Cases.

b)     Accurately document counselling and job development activities in the client notes in ES Cases and ensure each entry is completed promptly.

c)      Learn, utilize and maintain proficiency in software and systems required, including ES Cases, Thrive, and internal tracking systems.

d)     Follow all internal practices to protect client privacy and all client documentation.

e)     Attend and participate fully in case conferencing, staff meetings, staff training, organizational planning, working groups and committees.

f)       Follow the policies and procedures outlined in the various program guidelines and ensure that all services are provided with the standards of service maintained by FOCUS and described in our Customer Service Charter and that all services are consistent with FOCUS’ mission and values. Other duties as required, including going beyond the job description whenever necessary.

**We will begin interviewing candidates that are good match as soon as we received their application. We thank all applicants for their interest**

Required Competencies
a) Demonstrates understanding of vulnerable populations, labour market, local employer base, social services and education institutions.
b) Ability to counsel clients in a trauma-informed, supportive, solution-focused manner.
c) Ability to advocate to employers, training providers and other service providers on behalf of individuals requiring assistance with the job search.
d) Thorough knowledge of all facets of job search and career development, including current labour market trends.
e) Strong presentation/facilitation skills; high comfort level in public arenas.
f) Ability to deal with sensitive issues with discretion and to respond positively to challenges; ability to promote confidentiality as a norm.
g) Demonstrated good judgment and a clear understanding of appropriate service boundaries.
h) Must possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work and communicate effectively within a cross-cultural team environment.
i) Ability to work with limited supervision and considerable self-direction.
j) Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing and appropriate professional development.
k) Remain current with technology related to the position and possess strong computer skills.
l) Ability to solve problems by utilizing critical thinking skills and demonstrating adaptability to work effectively in a rapidly changing workplace.
m) Commitment to established agency performance standards, which includes productivity/personal responsibility, time management, customer-centred service, collaborative team performance, entrepreneurial attitude and high professionalism.

Essential Qualifications:
a) Post-secondary certificate in a related field
b) Strong customer service and sales skills.
c) Demonstrated experience in conducting and interpreting client needs assessments, coaching and mentoring clients, and working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.
d) Experience building partnerships with employers, community agencies, and other stakeholders.
e) Successful track record of helping clients to overcome barriers to employment.
f) Excellent job search techniques, including resume preparation, interview skills, skills identification, and goal setting.
g) Solid understanding of privacy and confidentiality and other professional codes of conduct; must submit to a vulnerable sector check
h) Computer literacy and excellent documentation, case-noting and report-writing skills.

Additional Beneficial Qualifications:
• Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) Designation
• Proficiency in French and/or other languages in addition to English