Career Specialist - Ontario

About NPower Canada

NPower Canada is a charitable organization that launches job-seekers into meaningful and sustainable digital careers. Our programs provide participants with free in-demand digital and professional skills training and connect them to new and rewarding career opportunities with some of Canada’s largest employers.

Through consultation with a wide range of employers, NPower Canada’s comprehensive curriculum ensures participants are equipped with the in-demand technical and professional skills most sought after by industry.

NPower Canada provides employers with access to a pipeline of eager, diverse, and job-ready talent with in-demand digital skills who are primed to succeed in the workplace. Graduates receive ongoing support and coaching to ensure continued success in their careers.

NPower Canada is a certified Great Place to Work® and named a 2023 Best Workplace™ for Giving Back.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Program Manager, this is an exciting opportunity for results-focused and experienced human services professional to work in a team-oriented atmosphere. The Career Specialist will provide group and individual career development counseling and employability skills coaching to youth and adults facing barriers to employment, while supporting the Program Manager with program administration and logistics.

Who You Are

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to deliver diverse types of programming such as life skills, employability skills training, job search and career readiness programs.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently.
• Excellent presentation skills and experience facilitating engaging and interactive workshops developed for a youth audience.
• Proven expertise in resolving challenging and complex client service issues.
• Excellent teamwork skills and proven experience collaborating with other departments.
• 3+ years in group and individual career coaching, preferably with diverse clientele who have faced barriers to employment.
• Experience evaluating program curriculum and delivery to identify what is working and where improvements are possible.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a safe, professional, and supportive virtual classroom and service environment.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability and thrives in a rapidly changing environment.
• Experience working with participants of all backgrounds including people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+, low income, women and gender-diverse, Indigenous and racialized youth.
• Knowledge of/connections within the employment and training sector.
• Open-minded, inclusive, non-judgmental, and committed to participant success.
• Post-secondary education in Career and Work Counseling, Social Service Work or Social Work, Education, Adult Education, Human Resources, or similar field is a strong asset.
• Proficient with Google Drive and Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and CRM database applications. Salesforce knowledge is an asset.
• Highly skilled at crisis intervention, de-escalation, and conflict resolution
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Group and individual counseling skills.

Accountabilities & Deliverables

Career and Employment Readiness Preparation and Coaching

• Create and develop post-training Action Plans for NPower Canada graduates.
• Conduct mock interviews with participants to help them learn how to market themselves effectively to employers.
• Utilize counseling techniques such as motivational interviewing and solution-focused approaches to support participants in developing employment-ready behaviors
• Providing detailed feedback to the participant related to AMT/employer feedback, employer events, maintaining employment expectations
• Assist Account Management Team with job matching, determining employment readiness, coaching and preparing the participants for AMT interviews
• Assists participants in developing employment readiness goals and leads regular employment readiness meetings to ensure participants are on track
• Facilitate NPower Canada’s Professional and Personal Development workshops to virtual classrooms of generally 50-75 participants. Workshops include resume development, LinkedIn branding, stress management, interview preparation, and other relevant topics
• Support in preparing participants for site tours and employer guests (virtually or in person)
• Provides effective individual/group job search readiness support to participants (Internet job search, interview preparation, informational interviews, employment research methods, Employment Standards Act, conflict resolution, understanding the workplace, etc)
• Collect labour market information for participants regarding job openings, entry and skill requirements, and other occupational information

Program Coordination

• Record and track participant attendance and punctuality in accordance with Participant Agreement and input into Blackboard daily
• Maintain a safe, professional, and respectful classroom environment simulating the professional workplace
• Work with all NPower Canada team members to maintain a safe and professional work environment for participants and staff
• Coordinate class schedule, including working with Program Manager to support participants in preparing for guest speakers, site tours, and networking events
• Assist with data collection and tracking, including participant assessment scores, workshop performance, work, income and education status, and program surveys
• Assist with workshop preparation and actively troubleshoot issues related to program delivery
• Input and maintain accurate participant information in Salesforce and on Blackboard

Participant Management and Issue Resolution

• Provide participants with community resources such as referrals to recreational activities, housing, food, clothing and relevant mental health services
• Work closely with Wraparound Support Manager to obtain warm referrals and resources for participants’ external challenges
• Support Program Manager/or Supervisor with participant performance management including feedback meetings along with verbal and written warnings and program withdrawals.
• Engage in weekly Case Management meetings with the team. Monitor and review participant performance and create action plans to support participant success
• Implement appropriate interventions to address behavioural issues or learning difficulties that encourage motivation and engagement
• Work in consultation with Manager, Wraparound Support to ensure that wraparound supports are in place for participants coping with concurrent challenges
• Work with a team to address participant performance issues with tact and timeliness

Team Support and Administration

• Assist with data collection and tracking, including student assessment scores, classroom performance, income and education status, and program surveys
• Record and maintain accurate applicant documentation and information in Salesforce
• Participate in regular case management and support the Program Manager in preparing Feedback Notices, capturing case notes, and taking meeting minutes
• Input and maintain accurate participant information in Salesforce and on Blackboard
• Participate in site planning meetings and assisting with tasks as defined by the Program Manager
• Assist in providing feedback on participants’ projects and assignments
• Support with training and onboarding of new staff, as needed

NPower Canada is an Equal Opportunity Employer

NPower Canada will make every effort to accommodate any needs of candidates through the hiring process, under the Human Rights Code. Please inform us if you require any accommodation through the hiring process.

Background Check Notification

All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of a background check; which includes professional, and criminal checks.

** NPower Canada operates within a hybrid work setting that includes working at the assigned NPower Canada office and working remotely from home depending on project, position, or role requirements. Our in-person work will require staff to be fully vaccinated to attend the physical workplace **