Job Coach - Retention Specialist, Bilingual

Position Title: Job Coach – Retention Specialist, Bilingual (English and French) required 

Department: Employment Services  

Program: Employment Services 

Status: Regular Full-time 

Salary: $31.825- $37.44 

Application Deadline: until filled 

Who are we? 

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre is an innovative, community-based, multi-service centre. We strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We work in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to achieve their full potential, paying particular attention to those who face barriers to care due to race, gender, income and/or ability. PQCHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. If at any stage in the selection process, you require accommodation due to a disability, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation.  

Job Summary: 

The Job Coach-Retention Specialist is responsible for delivering employment services geared to the needs of specific target groups.  This position is responsible for working with job seekers and employers within an assigned caseload.  This position works within a Case Management Team (POD) of Employment Specialists, Job Development Specialists, and Job Coaches/Job Retention Specialists to provide wrap around supports to clients with the purpose of ensuring clients achieve and maintain sustainable employment.   

Job Specific Responsibilities: 

Direct Client Service 

• Provides individualized on-the-job supports and services to employers and clients to ensure labor market attachment for clients with disabilities and other barriers to job integration and retention. 

• Manages client caseloads and keeps clients engaged in services during the 12-month monitor phase following the closure of their Employment Action Plan. 

• Assesses the need for workplace accommodations and negotiates these with employers. 

• Assists employers in creating workplaces that are supportive of persons with disabilities and other barriers, by addressing systemic, structural, environmental, and social obstacles to success. 

• Conducts job task analyses, and develops and monitors training and support plans in partnership with clients and employers, to ensure that supports provided are carefully planned and appropriate. 

• Completes the Work Transition and Retention checklist with clients prior to them starting work and build client transition plans based on needs identified in the checklist. 

• Assists clients in their training and orientation when they start work.  

• Assists clients in understanding the physical and social environment of the workplace such as the rules of the workplace, location of lunch room and washroom, breaks, work schedules, employer expectations, etc. 

• Provides “off the job supports” such as transportation, time management, and financial supports to address client barriers to employment. 

• Monitors client integration in the workplace and mediates/resolves arising issues to ensure successful ongoing employment. 

• Assists clients with disabilities and other barriers, by promoting growth and development, setting and achieving short-term and long-term goals, and providing opportunities for learning, training, and career laddering. 

• Provides ongoing contact with clients throughout the monitoring phase (upon closure of their Employment Action Plan) as per mandatory contact frequencies established by the program. 

• Secures client documentation and proof of employment at 1, 3, 6, and 12 month check points during the monitoring phase. 

• Re-engages clients into services who are not employed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 month check points during the monitoring phase. 

• Delivers services in a variety of formats including in-person and virtually using different platforms. 

• Works collaboratively with team members and clients to support the client’s journey through services including leading and participating in case conferencing. 

Administration: 

• Maintains electronic client records and protects the confidentiality of the information. 

• Participates in regular chart audits and reviews. 

• Performs administrative functions as required by the program. 

• Assists in maintaining the program database by entering data, generating reports, supporting analysis, and regular auditing of data integrity. 

• Ensures all data is accurate and entered on a timely basis. 

• Collects statistics and prepares reports as required. 

Teamwork and Collaboration:  

• Provides resources and support to program staff pertaining to specific client issues. 

• Maintains effective communication of information among internal and external stakeholders. 

• Assists in the development of program specific policies and procedures/guidelines and in the overall planning and development of the program.   

• Attends and participates in team and general staff meetings as scheduled. 

• Participates in the evaluation component of relevant program. 

• Provides support to clients of team members as needed. 

Position Requirements 

Education 

Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences or related field or equivalent combination of experience and education. 

Professional Experience 

• 3 years’ experience in the following areas: 

• employment counselling and/or job development within a supported employment framework 

• client coaching and mentoring 

• employment related initiatives 

Key Competencies 

• Knowledge of issues, trends and legislation in the employment field and the labour market. 

• An understanding of the factors affecting employability, including life stabilization factors. 

• Excellent documentation and case noting skills. 

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse clientele and colleagues 

• Use tools to manage caseload, understand where clients are in their journey and forecast client outcomes. 

• Strong digital literacy, including MS Office suite. 

• Proven ability to provide coaching, mentoring and support to clients with disabilities and/or other barriers to employment. 

• Experience in client advocacy. 

• Ability to work with employers to provide welcoming environments and negotiate accommodations. 

Linguistic Profile (for Centres with French Language Service Designations) 

• Based on New Avenues Linguistics Rating Scale:  A+ (highest skill) to C- (lowest skill) 

- French (oral expression):A+ (required) 

- French (oral comprehension):A+ (required) 

-French (reading comprehension):A+ (required) 

• Other languages an asset.  Bilingual English/French required. 

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Personal Suitability/Other Requirements 

• Ability to work with minimal supervision. 

• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle as this position requires travel to other sites regularly. 

• Comfortable with providing supports to clients “on- the-job” in a variety of workplace settings. 

• Compressed weeks Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday days from 9am-5pm, and every Thursday from 8:30am-8pm, with every second Friday off. 

• Positively contribute to monthly individual and team Key Performance Indicator (KPIs) while managing a challenging workload through prioritization and effective time management 

• Comfortable providing services in a hybrid model or in-person and virtual services from the Employment Centre or off-site locations.