Program and Role Description: The Career Foundation’s Junior Construction Field Coordinator Recruitment and Training program (o/a “the program”) recruits, trains, and provides job placement assistance to underrepresented and marginalized individuals in Ontario’s Southwestern Region, the Greater Toronto Area, and Ottawa. Services to participants are provided both virtually and in-person.

Working in cooperation with industry partners, the program focuses on serving those who are furthest from the labour market to provide them with the education and experience required to enter and build their careers in the construction industry. Participants include women, persons with mental health challenges, youth at risk, Indigenous peoples, individuals previously involved with the justice system, low-wage earners, newcomers, and/or racialized groups. To help increase retention, program staff also work with employers to coach on diversity and inclusion practices.

The part-time Outreach and Placement Specialist is an important member of The Career Foundation’s team on this project, responsible for outreaching to employers to develop job opportunities in construction for program participants.  In addition to other important job functions, the part-time Outreach and Placement Specialist will provide support and coaching to program participants to help them achieve success in their job placements. Prior familiarity with the construction industry, or the skilled trades, is an asset for this position.

• Position Type: Part-time (2.5 days per week) until March 30, 2024, with good possibility to lead to permanent employment opportunities with The Career Foundation
• Number of positions: 1
• Location(s): This position is currently structured as a hybrid-remote work model comprised of work-from-home job functions, and on-site work to partner and employer sites.  The designated base location for the program is The Career Foundation’s Yonge and St. Clair office in Toronto.
• Requirements: Must possess a valid G driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for work-related travel when necessary. Must also possess a private work-from-home space with secure and reliable high-speed internet connection to be considered for the remote-based component of this opportunity. Company laptop and other equipment provided.
• Minimum experience required: 1+ years
• Reporting to: Program Coordinator
  

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducting virtual and in-person outreach to construction employers to promote the program and find companies that are interested in providing job placement opportunities to program participants in cities that the program serves, including the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Cambridge, London, Waterloo, and Ottawa.
• Working in collaboration with other program teams and departments to effectively utilize social media platforms for targeted outreach.
• Maintaining an outreach and program recruitment tracker and updating the Program Coordinator on results on an ongoing basis.
• Helping to facilitate the matching process between job placement opportunities and program participants.
• Completing weekly check-ins and monitoring the progress of job placements, helping to facilitate adjustments with program participants and employers when needed.
• Providing real-time, individual support and coaching to participants via telephone, virtual meetings, emails, text messages, and in-person meetings to help them achieve successful job retention, including discussing life skills in a diplomatic and tactful manner when needed.
• Scheduling and facilitating industry-specific orientations and employer expectations on the job.
• Providing individualized coaching based on each participant’s job search goals in the construction industry.
• Assisting participants in the exploration of employment requirements, industry accreditation, and further education/training opportunities.
• Facilitating referrals for program participants to access other services when needed, including mental health support and other services.
• Sourcing and scheduling construction industry speakers focused on technical expertise, diversity and inclusion, and other topics, including the allocation of stipends available for volunteer speakers.
• Sourcing additional training resources to be used in virtual sessions with participants, such as demonstration videos, technical knowledge related to construction, and other applicable topics.
• Conducting weekly surveys used to build the structure of future community meetings on an ongoing basis that are engaging, productive, and time efficient.
• Creating and distributing a weekly e-newsletter focused on the program that includes information such as meeting/session date reminders, participant and employer testimonials, a short blog, construction industry resources, and other information to maintain momentum.
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator.

Qualifications/ Skills Required:  

• Must have an interest in the skilled trades and particularly learning about the construction industry. Prior experience or familiarity with the construction industry considered an asset.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in human services or a related field that is relevant to the duties of the position is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is required. 
• A minimum of 1 year experience in community outreach, job coaching, employer relations, or other work experience that is directly transferrable to the duties of the position, is required. Prior experience developing relationships with employers considered a strong asset.  
• The successful candidate must possess a valid G driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for work-related travel when necessary.
• Must possess a private work-from-home space with secure and reliable high-speed internet connection to be considered for the remote-based component of this opportunity. Company laptop and other equipment provided.
• Must be positive and results-driven in nature and capable of achieving targets and deadlines. 
• A patient, flexible, and professional approach to client service with a high level of respect for the diversity of the people served.
• Exceptional ability to develop rapport and trusting relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills with ability to clearly communicate information verbally and in writing.
• Willingness to step-in to assist team members as needed to help ensure program goals are met.
• Ability to maintain sensitive information, exhibit tact, diplomacy, and good judgment, with high standards of professionalism, ethics and confidentiality when facing challenging situations.
• Exceptional customer service skills and ability to uphold the organization’s service standards, policies, and core values.
• Punctual, self-motivated and self-directed.
• Outstanding organizational skills, time management, and ability to multi-task in order to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), as well as Zoom is required. Must also possess aptitude and willingness to learn and work with new online systems and technologies.
• Willingness and flexibility to work outside of normal business hours, as needed, to support program participants in real-time, when support is needed.

The Career Foundation’s Commitment:

The Career Foundation is committed to diversity and inclusion and aims to create a healthy and rewarding environment for all. We welcome applications from qualified individuals who represent the diversity of the people we proudly serve, including, but not limited to, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and individuals of all genders and sexual orientation. The Career Foundation, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), is also committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with candidates requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.