Employment Officer in Southampton

Southampton | Southampton County Council

Permanent contract

We are looking for a motivated, passionate self-starter who wants to kickstart a career in the employment support sector.

Deadline: 9th August 2026

• South East
• Full-time

Job overview

This position, with on-the-job training, is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and support those with health needs & other barriers across the Southampton community.

As an IPS Employment Officer you will play a vital role in helping people with health needs & other barriers find meaningful and fulfilling employment. You’ll receive all the training and support you need to take on the role and develop your skills. Joining a passionate and driven team, you’ll be working towards creating a fairer and more inclusive society for people with health needs and disadvantages.

We welcome applications from all experience levels and backgrounds. What you will need is the ability to motivate and build relationships with service users, strong organisational skills, the confidence to communicate and engage with a range of employers, and a fundamental belief that anyone can work with the right support in place.

Role

This is a rewarding and dynamic role where no day is the same and you’ll be making a genuine difference to people’s lives. Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model you’ll be:

• Supporting and motivating individuals with health conditions to access and sustain paid employment.
• Regularly meeting with clients to listen, offer support and help them identify their best job match, reflecting their skills and aspirations.
• Supporting the clients through CV production, interview techniques and managing their health at work.
• Advocating for your clients by educating and engaging with employers regarding the IPS service.
• Sourcing job opportunities for your clients through regular contact with local employers within the community.
• Promoting employment and raising expectations around the ability of service users to access paid employment, breaking down the barriers for them.

Responsibilities

See job description for full details

The person

• Communication: Ability to initiate and develop relationships with a variety of individuals and be able to engage employers using a variety of methods such as via the telephone or face-to-face in the community.
• Record keeping: Strong attention to detail, ensuring accurate and timely recording of case notes and data, essential for monitoring progress and achieving targets.
• Collaboration: The ability to work seamlessly within a multidisciplinary team, forging connections and enhancing the overall care experience for participants.
• Resilience: The determination to overcome setbacks, find solutions, and continue advocating for participants’, even in the face of challenges.
• Innovation: Bringing fresh ideas to the table, exploring creative ways to break down employment barriers, and promoting inclusive practices within the workplace.

We are actively interested in individuals who have experience using a persuasive communication style or promoting a service to a variety of audiences, this can include marketing, recruitment, education, mentoring, or sales roles.