Career Specialist Contract

Internal and External


About Us:

LEF delivers a variety of programs to assist individuals on their journey to a sustainable livelihood. Our integrated services focus on those: in transition, new to Canada, out of the workforce, laid off, and a host of other individual circumstances. LEF offers a holistic service model, builds on community connections, and focuses on supporting the economic independence and community engagement of families.  Our Client Engagement Team weaves together services and resources to offer seamless support across newcomer, training and employment services, and all job responsibilities reflect one integrated program with staff working together across interdisciplinary teams. 

Reports to: Manager, Employment Services

 

Job Summary:

The Career Specialist will provide a solution focused approach to assisting clients find and maintain employment. This role ensures successful outcomes for clients while working to achieve contract deliverables. The Career Specialist will work with an assigned caseload of clients and provide a range of supports to clients and their employers for the purpose of ensuring clients maintain their employment. They will develop a positive relationship with the client, encouraging, motivating, and supporting the client to achieve sustainable employment, and increase independence and self-sufficiency as appropriate. The Career Specialist will work with a variety of client groups facing multiple barriers to employment.

Success Measures:

Program Outcomes

• Outreach and generate 3-4 new eligible client referrals from the community each month

• Complete 8-10 new client intakes each week

• Every month secure 10 job starts of 20+ hours per week

• Ensure clients are supported in jobs through 1, 3, 6 and 12-month checkpoints, where required

 

Core Responsibilities:

 General:

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

  •        Provide services in a manner that is welcoming, safe and professional and ensures that client privacy is protected

  •      Display a high level of personal integrity and professionalism

  •       Deliver services in line with LEF contract, guidelines, policies, procedures, and performance requirements

 

Employment Services & Job Readiness:

  •       Conduct Assessments to understand and document the client's employment-related strengths, needs, abilities, skills, and other relevant employment-related factors

  •        Support the development of an individualized Employment Action Plan to support the client’s journey to securing long-term employment in line with their career interests, skills, and opportunities.

  •        Maintain regular face-to-face contact providing pre-employment assistance through vocational advice, job search training (resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation), skill development, work preparation and other activities outlined in the Employment Action Plan, supporting a client’s return to employment.

  •        Provide job readiness workshops focusing on essential workplace skills such as communication, time management, professional etiquette, and teamwork.

  •        Assist clients in understanding the qualifications and certifications required for specific professions and help them access resources for further education or skills development.

  •        Provide guidance on the Canadian job market, labour laws, and employment standards, helping clients navigate employment opportunities and rights.

  • Job Placement & Retention Support:

  •      Provide individualized support throughout the job search process, from identifying opportunities to preparing for interviews and navigating job offers.

  •        Work directly with local employers and businesses to identify job opportunities suited to clients’ skills and interests.

  •        Continually review the local job market to identify and pursue suitable employment opportunities directly with employers on behalf of our clients, including weekly cold calling and targeted marketing to potential employers.

  •        Conduct initial employer on-site visits to ensure the best working conditions for our clients.

  •         Maintain regular follow-up support with clients once they are employed, ensuring job retention and addressing any challenges they face in the workplace, identifying when the client requires on-the-job support and guidance to successfully maintain their employment for 12 months.

  •       Build and maintain relationships with employers, assist the client and/or employer to resolve issues that may impact the client's ability to maintain employment

  •        Identify and arrange for any accommodations and supports necessary for the client to continue employment

  •        Coordinate and facilitate required training that will support job retention, including on-the-job training

  •        Provide any other supports the client requires

  •        Monitor the client's employment monthly at a minimum, or more frequently when required

 

Barriers to Employment & Advocacy:

  •       Advocate on behalf of clients when necessary, addressing issues like workplace discrimination, exploitation, or unfair treatment, and ensuring their rights are upheld.

  •       Provide support in navigating employment-related legal issues, such as understanding workplace rights, pay equity, and employee benefits.

Support Services:

  •        Support walk-in clients as required.

  •        Support clients to access services to address needs that may impact their ability to find and maintain employment, including housing, healthcare, legal assistance, and language or skills training and facilitate and follow up on referrals as appropriate.

  •        Facilitate client connections to other LEF services and supports as needed.

Documentation & Reporting:

  •        Complete administrative tasks in a timely manner including but not limited to client documents, expenditures, outcomes, case notes etc.

  •        Use the Case Management System to ensure all documentation is accurate, up to date and submitted within set timeframes

  •        Prepare and submit reports to funders, partners, and stakeholders, tracking key metrics and outcomes related to employment placements and program success.

  • Networking & Partnership Development:

  •        Develop and maintain relationships with community stakeholders as part of generating and managing client referrals.

  •        Build and nurture relationships with local businesses, employment agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations to enhance employment opportunities for clients.

  •        Organize job fairs, employer panels, and networking events to connect clients with potential employers and career development resources.

  •        Attend presentations at local job fairs and other employer related networking opportunities

 

LEF Health and Safety compliance:

  • Promotes LEF’s Occupational Health & Safety Policy

  • Participates in health & safety education and training

  • Works in compliance with all LEF health & safety policies and procedures 

Other duties as required.

 

Qualifications & Experience:

  •        Post-secondary certificate, degree, or diploma in a relevant field (e.g., career or employment development, vocational rehabilitation, social work, psychology, sociology, human services, counselling, education, or human resources management).

  •        Experience in effectively and creatively connecting clients to employers based on mutual needs/benefits.

  •        Demonstrated experience in conducting and interpreting client assessments; coaching and mentoring clients; working with individuals with complex barriers and a broad range of cultural backgrounds.

  •        Excellent communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

  •        Compassionate, patient, and supportive, with a strong commitment to supporting clients to reach their career goals.

  •        Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple tasks and priorities.

  •        Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a collaborative, client-cantered environment.

  •        Proactive and resourceful in overcoming challenges and finding creative solutions to employment barriers.

  •        Knowledge of the local labour market, community resources, government programs, job search techniques, career development and issues relating to unemployment.

  •        Excellent documentation and report writing skills, as well as in interviews/assessments, professional resume writing, vocational counselling, and individualized goal setting and planning.

  •        Solid understanding of confidentiality and other professional codes of conduct.

  •        Ability to work outside business hours, including in shifts and evenings, when required.

  •        Ability to travel within the community to attend meetings, employer partnerships, or outreach events.

  •        Strong digital literacy, including MS Office suite.

  •        Employment conditional on obtaining a criminal record check.

  •        Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) certification is an asset.

  •        Fluency in a second language is an asset.

Your Application:

Interested candidates should email their resume and covering letter as one document to recruiting @lefca.org

To be considered, applications must be received by: ­

Posting Date:  October 3rd, 2025

Closing Date:   October 17th, 2025     

We thank all applicants for applying; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.  

The Learning Enrichment Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to complying with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We also adhere to all Public Health and Ministry of Labour COVID policies. If you require accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact recruiting@lefca.org.