Customized Employment Specialist
About The Position
The Customized Employment Specialist is dedicated to supporting individuals who face significant challenges entering the traditional workforce. This role focuses on guiding clients with disabilities, complex needs or multiple barriers to successfully access and maintain community-based employment. By conducting comprehensive Discovery assessments, this role develops and implements individualized employment plans and collaborates with employers to carve or create unique work opportunities customized to a client’s ideal conditions of employment. This role is delivered out in the community using non-traditional employment approaches. Customized Employment is an individualized and flexible approach that personalizes the relationship between job seekers and employers to benefit both parties. The Customized Employment Specialist supports clients through completion of the customized employment discovery process by interviewing and observing clients to identify their strengths, interests and employment barriers, obtaining required information from a variety of sources such as families and care providers. Based on the client Discovery and Employment Profile, the Customized Employment Specialist collaborates with employers to carve or create Customized Employment opportunities to align with the client's ideal conditions of employment or explores Self-Employment options, where most appropriate, to meet the client's unique needs and abilities. Your day will be spent engaging with clients in their community, conducting Discovery Assessments to assess their skills, interests and preferences, collaborating with employers to negotiate job placements, and providing job coaching to clients on worksites.
Requirements
- Diploma in Social Sciences or a relevant discipline.
- Recent, related experience of two (2) years facilitating discovery assessments and providing customized employment services.
- Experience working with persons with complex needs (may include substance use, severe mental health conditions, complex disabilities or health issues or unstable housing).
- Experience maintaining written client records, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (can be acquired after hire).
- Mental Health First Aid Training (can be acquired after hire).
- Valid BC driver’s license and use of a personal motor vehicle during working hours.
- Must maintain a satisfactory criminal record, including vulnerable sector check
- Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments, develop individualized service plans, and provide employment-related counselling and coaching.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed and motivational interviewing strategies and practices.
- Knowledge of employment barriers, job search strategies, and customized employment principles.
- Ability to foster positive relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and with complex needs.
- Ability to observe, recognize, and respond appropriately to changes in clients.
- Ability to resolve conflicts diplomatically and maintain composure under pressure.
- Ability to write clear and comprehensive assessment reports, detailing findings and recommendations effectively.
- Ability to meet deadlines, manage a high-volume caseload, and work under pressure while maintaining quality, customer-centered service.
- Time management skills combined with ability to prioritize, strong organizational skills and attention to detail necessary.
Nice To Haves
- Motivational Interviewing Training and Certification considered an asset.
- Trauma-Informed Practice Training and Certification considered an asset.
- CCDP Certification considered an asset.
Responsibilities
- Conducting comprehensive Discovery assessments
- Developing and implementing individualized employment plans
- Collaborating with employers to carve or create unique work opportunities customized to a client’s ideal conditions of employment
- Engaging with clients in their community
- Conducting Discovery Assessments to assess their skills, interests and preferences
- Collaborating with employers to negotiate job placements
- Providing job coaching to clients on worksites
Benefits
- 100% employer-paid benefits package
- RRSP matching program
- Employee and Family Assistance program
- Professional development fund
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
