Employment Specialist, Manufacturing Program

Job Information:

Department/Team: Programs, Employment

Reports to: Employment Lead - Manufacturing Program

Job type: Full time contract (1 year)

Hours per week: 37.5 hours/week, Monday – Friday 9am-4:30pm, less a daily unpaid ½ hour break

Minimum Experience:

• Mid-Level

Compensation: $53,000 per year  

Number of vacancies: 2

This vacancy is for a new role

About Reception House

Reception House is a non-profit, community-based organization that delivers quality settlement, integration and support services to refugees and newcomers in Waterloo Region. Since 1987, Reception House has helped thousands of refugees rebuild their lives in Canada through specialized programs and services designed to help them become established in their new communities. 

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a full time Employment Specialist - Manufacturing Program on our Employment team. The Employment Specialist provides intensive employment support to participants enrolled in the manufacturing employment and training program. The primary objective of the Employment Specialist is to identify and evaluate participants’ skills, knowledge, competencies, interests, and employment barriers, creating a personalized approach to employment services. The Employment Specialist supports participants throughout recruitment, assessment, training, job placement, and employment retention to ensure successful workforce integration and positive employment outcomes within the manufacturing sector.

What You’ll Do: 

• Recruit, assess, and enroll participants into the manufacturing sector employment and training program.
• Conduct intake interviews, needs assessments, and employment action planning to identify participants’ skills, knowledge, competencies, interests, and employment goals.
• In collaboration with participants, develop individualized employment plans/pathways to support participants in achieving their employment and career goals.
• Provide employment-related orientation, employment coaching, job search assistance, resume support, interview preparation, and barrier resolution support.
• Deliver employment readiness, workplace preparation, and employment-related workshops, including education on workplace culture, employment rights, and working in Canada.
• Support participants throughout training, placement, workplace integration, and employment retention activities.
• Coordinate referrals to internal and external support services to address participant needs and employment barriers.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, training providers, and community partners to support participant employment opportunities and program success.
• Conduct follow-ups and track participant progress, employment outcomes, retention, and service effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate participant records, case notes, service documentation, data tracking, reporting, and program records using CaMS and other employment service tracking platforms, ensuring compliance with organizational and funder requirements.
• Work collaboratively with settlement, resettlement, and other internal teams to promote employment opportunities and support participant success.
• Attend employment-related events, employer engagement activities, and community outreach initiatives to support recruitment and employment outcomes

What You’ll Need:

• Post-secondary education in career development or social services, settlement work, or related field an asset.
• Minimum one year of experience in social services or career development work.
• Knowledge of Employment Ontario protocols & processes is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of the local labor market, employment pathways, and employment-related resources in the community.
• Experience speaking in front of others in a teaching or training environment an asset.
• Knowledge of employment legislation and labour laws.
• Knowledge of additional community resources is an asset.
• Excellent computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office 365 suite required
• Ability to use Employment Ontario databases an asset.
• Ability to create presentations and resources.
• Possess strong knowledge about the local community and resources available.
• Able to set and manage appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Eager to learn new things and solve problems.
• Ability to build relationships and work in a culturally diverse environment.
• High level of active listening and interpersonal communication skills, written and verbal, both in-person and virtual contexts.
• A high level of self-awareness, intercultural competency, and sensitive to cultural and life experiences including trauma and harm.
• Excellent resourcefulness, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to take initiative, think critically and be pro-active with tasks.
• Uphold RHWR vision, mission and values while serving clients and interacting with employers and other service providers in the community.

Working Conditions: 

• Primarily working at a desk in a stationary position, using computer and related peripherals.
• Heightened risk of exposure to communicable diseases, vicarious trauma and high-stress environment.
• A valid driver’s license and access to a car is preferred.
• Some evening and weekend work may be needed to attend meetings and events.
• Must be physically able to move freely throughout buildings and travel within community (Waterloo Region) with reasonable accommodations as required.

Benefits: 

At Reception House, we truly value our employees and the incredible work that they do. Some benefits we provide include;

• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Staff appreciation events
• Wellness initiatives
• Professional development opportunities

Reception House Waterloo Region welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and individuals from all equity-seeking groups. We will accommodate candidates partaking in the recruitment process upon request. If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please contact us at hr@receptionhouse.ca.

We are committed to providing clear and equitable compensation information. The compensation posted reflects the expected pay for this role at the time of posting and may be adjusted based on experience, internal equity, and market conditions.