Community Employment Specialist

Be the best YOU!

Being a part of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) means you have a shared passion for supporting youth in reaching their full potential. YOU is a place where your unique background, perspectives, and talents are valued, and help innovate new program ideas to best support youth in our community.

You can make your impact here! Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where the work you do is truly valued. You will have the freedom to excel in your own way by serving young people and knowing you are making a difference for our community.

Come be a part of a team that works alongside youth as they work on goals and be there to celebrate when they achieve those milestones. Help us continue creating a community where youth are embraced and will thrive.

Reporting to the Manager, Youth Employment, the Community Employment Specialist will be responsible for cultivating relationships with businesses in London and Middlesex County, with the aim of providing youth with job placement, volunteer hours and training experience. Additionally, the role will contain elements of community engagement, project management, and administrative support. Qualified candidates have sales experience, possess strong communication and relationship management / customer service skills, works well in a fast paced and dynamic environment, and hold values that support our corporate vision of being “A community where youth are embraced and will thrive”.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop strategies with businesses to create opportunities for youth engaged in YOU programming
• Maintain an active network, as supplied by the Manager, Youth Employment, that will offer youth job placements and training opportunities
• Outreach to employers to identify opportunities in the hidden job market
• Build hiring programs with large corporate partners
• Work with industry associations, economic development organizations, and business improvement associations to promote our services
• Match youth with employment placement opportunities and allocate corresponding financial incentives for employers
• Supports recruitment efforts by attending networking events, and representing YOU through community presentations / events
• Liaise with YOU staff, community partners, and agencies
• Coordinate, host and facilitate special events or workshops for employers and community partners

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree/diploma or related work experience in Business Development or Sales
• Proven ability to work in a target driven work environment and meet deadlines
• Ability to build relationships, negotiate, manage conflict and employ youth in London and Middlesex County
• Ability to establish rapport with employers to create engagement with YOU and evoke passion for youth advancement and growth
• Strong case management and organizational skills; able to manage budgets, perform data entry tasks with accuracy
• Knowledge of London and Middlesex County local labour market
• Prior experience working with a diverse youth population, including persons from diverse cultural backgrounds, LGBTQ2S groups, youth affected by poverty, mental health, justice, addictions and homelessness an asset
• Ability to balance employer needs while handling multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365 as well as other software programs are required
• Flexibility in scheduling to meet program needs including evenings and weekends
• Access to own transportation required
• Police Vulnerable Sector Check for youth population

Working:

• 35 hours per week, flexible scheduling depending on programming needs
• Weekend and evening work required, including special events and networking
• Flexibility in scheduling to meet program needs, including evenings and weekends.