Job Details

Operation Springboard's mandate is to build stronger communities by helping youth and adults develop the skills they need to reach their full potential. As a charitable organization, we deliver innovative, professional and diverse programming by establishing partnerships between our clients and their community. Springboard’s program areas include community justice, employment and developmental disability services.

Department :        Youth at Work Program – Employment Services

Location:              North Office (Sheppard & Warden)

Status:                  Full-time permanent

Vacancy #:           YAW-U13-7

Available:             March 2013     

Hours/Shifts:        Monday to Friday – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

                               Schedules are subject to change to meet departmental needs

Position Summary:

The Recruitment and Retention Specialist works in a community-based setting with at risk, correctional or special needs clients as well as business owners, managers, employers and community partners to support the Youth at Work Programs in accordance with Funder guidelines.  In addition, assistance with employability skills group facilitation is also required. The position encompasses the primary functions of employer engagement, marketing, managing stipend contracts, job matching, coaching and retention to provide clients with employment and community service experience through subsidized placements. The position also involves liaising and maintaining positive relationships with employers, community based agencies and business associations. This role may be required to work flexible hours and in more than one location while assisting clients with employment/ service placement maintenance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ability to identify and develop prospective job leads appropriate for YAW clients and market candidates to employers or community agencies for placement
• Assist in the design and delivery of a marketing plan to attract employers
• Evaluate work sites to ensure safety standards and appropriate working conditions
• Work in direct partnerships with Program Supervisor and Employment Specialists to identify client interest and profile, and focus placements accordingly
• Assist employers with the potential hiring of clients including but not limited to: clarifying job requirements, developing and submitting accurate and complete agreements, communicating program guidelines, subsidy reimbursement processes and deadlines
• Be familiar with all relevant employment legislation and local labour market opportunities.
• Conduct regular assessments, follow-up and monitoring of clients in placements
• On-going research of community resources and programs and outreach to employers
• Collect, verify and compile employer/community agency claims and assist with distribution of employer cheques
• Participate in the compilation of internal and external reports, statistical data and financial reports
• Provide documentation in accordance with agency and funder standards
• Assist in the facilitation of Employability Skills Groups as required

Required Qualifications:

• Post secondary education in the Marketing, HR and/or Human Services field and/or a combination of education and experience in employer outreach, marketing and placement of multi-barriered clientele. University Degree Strongly Preferred
• Must have Sales and Marketing experience
• Must demonstrate strong research and analysis skills, including a firm grasp of statistics
• Understanding of Employer Stipend programs including: the ability to negotiate on the job training opportunities/experience effectively while managing subsidy dollars
• Knowledge of current labour laws and workplace health and safety legislation
• Clear understanding of market perceptions, employer motivation, work habits and employability skills
• Ability to match and place clients in employment or educational/vocational skills training through subsidized placements
• Collection and dissemination of labour market information to clients regarding job openings, entry and skill requirements and other occupational information
• Ability to - provide group facilitation as required; communicate ideas, instructions and information in a clear and concise manner; exercise discretion and handle confidential information appropriately as per funder and legal standards priorities, plan and organize work in a fast paced environment in order to meet tight deadlines and deliver results according to program guidelines; meet and deal with staff, clients, employers and the public tactfully and courteously
• Effective crisis intervention skills to diffuse confrontational situations
• Accurate financial and statistical compilation
• Required to travel to other Springboard locations; car an asset

Demonstrated use of core competencies in:

• Information Gathering - investigate personally and then probe deeply, asking a series of ever more pointed      questions to get to the root of a situation or problem or to uncover a potential but hidden opportunity.
• Attention to Quality – pay attention to their quality of work on which they depend on and plan activities      carefully and notice gaps and correct them without having to be told.
• Holding People Accountable - stop people from heading off in the wrong direction. Sometimes involves a direct “No” and other times it involves arranging situations to limit other options.
• Interpersonal Sensitivity - notice others’ poorly expressed thoughts, concerns or feelings, and probe      beneath the surface, inviting further conversations, seeking out facts, reiterating what they have heard and waiting to draw conclusions until they are sure the understand.
• Organizational Alignment – take action to support the organization’s mission and goals, not just its image; make choices and set personal priorities in order to meet organizational needs; and do not waste time complaining but cooperate quickly to achieve new or changed priorities.
• Service Delivery Judgment – understand the program processes; thinks through when to make process changes and come up with ideas that improve service delivery.
• Partnership Orientation - respect the needs of others and ability to resolve conflicts.
• Results Orientation - seek excellence and improvements to overall organizational performance.
• Change Influencer - use various communication styles to get a message across and meet outlined objectives.
• Flexibility - explore various options around problem solving and managing difficult situations.

Posting Period: March 4 to 18, 2013