Position Summary:
The primary purpose of an Employer Outreach Specialist is to build relationships and connections with employers in Kingston & the area to assist newcomer job seekers to find meaningful employment. The Employer Outreach Specialist cultivates new employer contacts and maintains positive relationships with new and existing employer partners. This is a specialist position, which will have a focus on creating opportunities for employers and newcomers to connect directly, facilitating access to entry-level positions for newcomers with significant barriers, and facilitating access to professional opportunities for skilled newcomer professionals.
The Employer Outreach Specialist will organize events such as employer guest speakers, workplace tours, employer-led information sessions, employer-led resume clinics, job fairs, or similar. They will bottom-line the organizing of an annual large-scale symposium bringing together employers, newcomers and service providers. The Employer Outreach Specialist will also meet one-to-one with participants and conduct research into current and future job openings to make appropriate placement matches, including job trials, observational job shadowing, or placements in positions commensurate with the candidate’s skills and experience.
The Employer Outreach Specialist will establish conditions for success for both newcomers and employers and will closely monitor and support participants on placement. They will be responsible for remaining current on labour market information: trends, labour shortages, wages & salaries, working conditions, etc. They will coach local employers on inclusive hiring practices and retention strategies to promote newcomer employment and positive workplace experiences. The Employer Outreach Specialist will effectively maintain referred case loads and meet all activities and targets of the designated program area(s).
Competencies Required:
- Ability to advocate to employers, on behalf of individuals requiring assistance with the job search; strong negotiation skills
- Coaching skills to guide employers to implement inclusive hiring practices
- Understand the challenges facing unemployed newcomers
- Knowledge of credential recognition processes, de-professionalization and career pathways
- Comprehensive understanding of the local labour market
- Strong knowledge of the legislative environment, including the Employment Standards Act, occupational health & safety, the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
- Must possess strong interpersonal skills; active listening and decision-making skills
- Strong presentation/facilitation skills; high comfort level in public arenas
- Ability to work with limited supervision and considerable self-direction
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural, diverse environment with co-workers, clients and partners.
- Ability to promote confidentiality as a norm
- Must treat all individuals with equal respect and interact in a tactful, supportive, professional manner
- Comfort working autonomously in off-site locations and promoting KEYS programs and services in those communities
- Superior communication and negotiation skills with diverse audiences
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; communicate effectively in a cross-cultural context with individuals in their second language
- Creative problem-solving skills
- Strong organizational skills to maintain varied workflows and organize events
- Superior teamwork skills needed to collaborate with employment specialists and other staff supporting newcomers with their job search and settlement
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 3 years of post-secondary education, preferably in Job Coaching or Counselling, Human Resource Management, Sales/Marketing or a related field. A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is an asset
- Willingness to comply with the established agency performance standards which includes: productivity/personal responsibility; customer centred service; collaborative team performance; entrepreneurial attitude and maintaining a high level of professionalism
- Comfort with utilizing databases and CRM systems
- Proficiency in an additional language(s) such as Arabic, French, Spanish, Dari, Swahili or Somali will be considered a strong asset.
- Valid driver’s licence, proof of adequate insurance and a reliable vehicle is a requirement for this position.
- Experience with events management considered an asset
Work Environment (Equipment, Demands and Hazards)
- Office setting in Kingston with frequent travel to off-site locations within the KEYS catchment areas.
- Professional appearance is required; casual business attire. Safety equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, ear plugs and safety boots) will be provided and must be worn on construction sites.
- 35 hours per week with occasional early morning or evening activities
- Use of office equipment required: cell phone, laptop, photocopier, fax, software specific to programs
How to apply:
Applications must be emailed by 4:00 p.m. June 16, 2023, to: apply@keys.ca