Employment Consultant

The Role

Supports participants in the Employment Ontario program and Region of Waterloo employment initiatives to achieve and sustain long-term employment. Works with participants to develop employment action plans and provides/facilitates employment-ready supports, including coaching/counselling, training, and liaising with community partners for service coordination, referrals, and other activities.  

Develops paid job opportunities with local employers for program participants. Matches participants with employers, and provides supports for long-term job retention and successful employment relationships. 

Participates in the design and development of community outreach initiatives and networking events, such as career fairs, employer recognition, and other community initiatives. 
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assesses participants' skills, aptitudes, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, career goals, and potential impact of employment barriers, and determines programs and/or placements to best meet their needs.
• Develops employment action plans with participants to meet their individual needs and fulfil Employment Ontario program requirements. Interviews participants and uses a standardized provincial assessment tool to determine eligibility and appropriate entry or re-entry points to the program.
• Solicits and secures paid job opportunities with employers in Waterloo Region for program participants. Explains agreement terms and conditions, and discusses placement-specific requirements, including training, financial/wage incentives, length of placement, on-site participant supports, and evaluation timelines. Visits job sites, reviews and approves employer applications, including workplace safety practices and policies and related documentation to ensure suitability for participation.  
• Participates in participant performance and employer placement evaluations. Provides job placement support, including crisis intervention, mediation, job maintenance, and preventive measures.
• Supports participants to develop clear, concise career goals, improve life skills, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and use effective job search techniques. Provides career planning, custom training, and job search strategies to individuals with diverse ability and skill levels. 
• Connects participants with resources, tools, training, and referrals to other agencies, continuing education and training programs, or other programs, including formal counselling, as appropriate.
• Provides employment coaching/counselling and support to participants experiencing difficulty adjusting to employment, regarding barriers to employment, and related issues.
• Consults with OW caseworkers and community agency staff for service coordination and case planning/management.
• Maintains program and participant records, including assessments, documentation, and outcomes. Tracks and runs monthly activity data and reports.
• Conducts follow-up interviews with participants at various stages during and after programming.
• Facilitates/delivers employment-related group training/workshops (e.g., job search strategies, skills development, resume writing). Develops training plans and activities to meet program requirements and local needs. Creates new or uses existing resources, modifying content according to audience and learning outcomes.
• Researches employment-related topics, such as career planning, training programs, job search skills, and labour market conditions and trends. Collaborates with other training hosts, employers, government offices, and community agencies to develop or provide training programs.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Promotes the program as part of outreach initiatives to employers, community agencies, the business community, and public (e.g., presentations, job fairs).
• Provides input and employment-related expertise to support program development, service delivery, and meet program mandate. 
• Issues financial support to participants for employment-related expenses, such as transportation, personal needs, training costs, on boarding, and job search expenses; and financial incentives to employers, such as wage incentives, within established limits and guidelines.
• Contacts education service providers to arrange training for participants and to facilitate outreach services. Liaises with community and social service agencies, job preparation centres, schools, and other government partner agencies for information, referral, case planning, and advocacy regarding the provision of service to participants. Consults with workplace health and safety staff regarding worksite and/or participant safety issues.
• Recommends and purchases program resources and materials. 
• Plans and prioritizes work within established program guidelines set out by the Province, local service system manager, and Division. Solves most problems independently, but refers complex or escalated issues to supervisor, such as agreement breakdowns between employers and participants. Seeks supervisor approval for expenditures at set/defined limits. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a 2-year community college diploma or university degree in a related field (e.g., Social Sciences, Business, Education, Social Work) plus 3 years of directly related experience in job development. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered, such as practical knowledge gained through the completion of related post-secondary training, workshops, or certificates specific to job development, plus a significant amount of directly related experience. 
• Knowledge of job development strategies and techniques, essentials skills development, group facilitation, labour market trends, job search skills and strategies, resume writing, life skills coaching, and their application to employment counselling.
• Knowledge of and ability to follow policies, procedures, legislation, and guidelines related to Employment Ontario, Ministry of Labour, Immigration Training and Skills Development, and other related legislation (e.g., Workplace Safety Insurance Act, Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health & Safety Act).
• Knowledge of the local labour market, community resources, federal and provincial employment programs, and employment stabilization resources and supports. Ability to keep knowledge current.
• Knowledge of issues affecting unemployment, specifically for disadvantaged groups and barriers to employment.
• Research, analytical, organizational, problem solving, and decision-making skills to identify and facilitate employment and job-related supports, including referrals, training, and service coordination with community partners to support client needs and goals, and participate in program development. 
• Ability to identify clients' skills and barriers to employment and successfully match clients with programs to support employment. 
• Case management skills and ability to work independently. 
• Communication and human relations skills (using coaching, motivating techniques) to support participants’ progress in achieving long-term employment; explain program agreements and requirements to participants and employers; interview participants to gather information; promote the program in the community; develop and maintain relationships with employers; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to read and understand job development and employment-related publications, legislation, policy, and eligibility requirements. Ability to write correspondence, assessments, and recommendations, take detailed notes, and maintain program documents.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and provincial and program  databases, including  job development software and a centralized booking system.
• Ability to alter working hours to attend meetings, committees, and presentations.
• Must provide an acceptable vulnerable sector police records check.
• Ability to travel to locations within and outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.