About the Role
The Career Development Specialist is responsible for engaging, supporting, guiding, and following up with job-seeking clients in the Career Centre. As a first and primary point of contact, this role warmly welcomes clients using a strengths-based approach, delivers timely employment interventions, and manages the client through all service delivery aspects.
Responsibilities
- Welcome clients into service with engaging, optimistic, timely responsible employment services.
- Provide services in person from Career Centre, other community locations, virtually or by telephone.
- Using the Common Assessment process, assist clients in developing an employment service plan and open case files following current guidelines.
- Work in collaboration with job seekers to develop and initiate realistic and client centered return to work action plans.
- Serve as primary contact for clients throughout their involvement in Employment Services.
- Monitor and evaluate service plan effectiveness and update with stakeholders to build successful outcomes and achieve funder targets.
- Follow Goodwill Career Centre Case Management Toolkit and all program guidelines and funder expectations as outlined in funding agreement.
- Arrange and participate in collaborative case conferences with stakeholders to support client success.
- Maintain accurate and up to date evidence of employment counselling in electronic and paper file system.
- Work in collaboration with Goodwill personnel and clients to deliver identified individual and group employment service interventions as outlined in the Client Service Plan, including but not limited to: interventions in Career Decision Making; Skills Enhancement; Job Search; Job Retention.
- Maintain all appropriate follow up activities including returning job seeker phone calls within a 24 hour time frame and maintain an “active” caseload that guarantees client contact at intervals of no longer than 10 days between contact while respecting client expressed preferences.
- Close client files at conclusion of service plan.
- Support employment retention throughout 12-month post-case management cycle, documenting all contacts and outcomes.
- Develop and submit a minimum of 1 job seeker success story per month following guidelines.
- Follows the Customer Care Cycle (I Care) consistently providing world class customer service to all customers, internal and external, of Goodwill.
- Network and liaise with community service providers to remain current about service options – may include public speaking and formal presentations.
- Keep current with Labour Market Information and employment trends.
- Adhere to our Public Relations policy, acting as a ‘positive ambassador’ when representing Goodwill’s brand in the community.
- Perform other related activities, as necessary or as assigned.
- Follow all safety standards set out in legislation and/or Goodwill policies.
- Be actively involved in the health, well-being and safety of themselves and their team.
- Timely and Accurate completion of service provider requirements for Ministry Delivered Products including but not limited to Better Jobs Ontario, Job Creation Partnership within current guidelines and timelines.
- Respond to inquiries from management in regards to client data, self-reflections and other information as needed.
- Complete reporting templates as assigned.
- Other duties as required, including but not limited to coverage of resource centre and front desk.
Requirements
- Must have a valid driver's license and a reliable insured vehicle.
- Must provide proof of a valid driver's license and proof of car insurance upon being hired.
- Demonstrated knowledge and adherence to funder guidelines.
- Acceptable criminal reference check.
Skills
- Interpersonal/Team Communication, guided by empathy and optimism.
- Self-Reflection skills.
- Networking skills.
- Employment counselling techniques and tools.
- Broad Knowledge of community employment programs and services.
- Assessment skills.
- Knowledge of labour market and future employment trends.
- Strong documentation skills.
- Computer skills.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Community engagement/networking skills.
- Experience in conducting group and individual counselling/instructional sessions.
- Common Assessment Training (preferred).
- Knowledge of current labour market trend (preferred).
Location
- London, ON
Work Type
- Full time
Experience Level
- 3-5 years’ experience working with people with barriers to employment preferred.
Education Level
- Diploma or degree in related field (Counselling, Social Services, Psychology) preferred.
- Professional development in coaching or employment, social services, life skills, marketing, customer service.
Benefits
- Dental/health benefits available for full-time and some part-time positions (based on hours worked).
- Registered Pension Plan opportunity for various roles.
- Employee discount at retail locations.
- Equitable access to skills training & coaching, scholarships, and educational credentials.
- Personal and professional development support with Life Coach & Employee Assistance Program.
About the Company
- Goodwill is a growing organization.
- Goodwill is a diverse and inclusive team dedicated to improving the lives of others through its mission of WORK.
- Goodwill, Ontario Great Lakes is a leading non-profit organization committed to strengthening people and lives through the power of work.
- Ready to work or not, a job at Goodwill is a path to work readiness.
- Our organization strives to create a workplace which is welcoming and respectful to all where every employee and member feels valued and supported.
- Mission: To strengthen people and communities through the power of work.
- Vision: Everyone working and thriving in inclusive, sustainable communities.
- Values: Mission-Driven Impact, Inclusion, Dignity, Compassion, Resilience, Accountability.
- Employer of choice across Southwestern Ontario who meets the Federal Government’s 50/30 challenge for diversity in leadership.
- Commitment to accessibility and mobility (various walking devices and wheelchair accessible work locations).
- Mission-driven organization committed to the Power of Work.
- Environmentally committed to meeting our goal of zero waste on planet earth.
- Respectful, fun, and supportive team and leadership.
- Accredited through CARF International.
Equal Opportunity
- We are an equal opportunity employer.
- We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes, and work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
- We will be happy to work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.
