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- Tasks: Help individuals with criminal backgrounds find meaningful employment and support them through the job search process.
- Company: Open Road, a leading provider of drug and alcohol treatment services.
- Benefits: £28,000 salary, 25 days leave, pension, and tailored training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them overcome barriers to employment.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of employment services and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; dynamic team environment focused on empowerment.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28000 £ per year.
Overview
Employment Specialist – Criminal Justice, Basildon
Hours – 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern – Monday to Friday
Salary / Band – £28,000 per annum
Location – South Essex
Contract - Permanent
Closing date – 27th March 2026
INNOVATIVE PROJECT TO HELP PEOPLE WITH AN OFFENDING BACKGROUND TO GET INTO WORK
Do you take pride in what you do, and can you think creatively about how different organisations can work together to deliver a better service? Are you happy to talk with employers and help match people into meaningful work? Experience in this field would be an advantage but not essential if you can demonstrate the right skills and knowledge.
Open Road’s Employment Specialist team aims to increase the number of people moving into employment from a variety of community services with a focus on offending and other complex needs.
What you’ll do
- Engage with treatment teams to coordinate referrals and provide updates on clients.
- Develop vocational profiles and match clients to suitable job opportunities, including liaising with employers.
- Support clients through the job search process, including interview coaching and follow-up.
- Conduct employer engagement activities and participate in relevant events and networking opportunities.
- Provide ongoing coaching to clients to maintain motivation and confidence.
- Assist with managing caseloads and ensuring documentation is up to date.
About you
- You will have some knowledge of IPS or other employment services / methods.
- Experience talking to employers and helping people into work is desirable.
- Great communication skills and the ability to build relationships with everyone from frontline staff to CEO level.
- Negotiation skills and commercial acumen.
- Drive, passion and commitment; proven ability to build rapport with people and understand issues from those affected by offending or similar conditions.
- Boundless enthusiasm, excellent teamwork and the ability to work in a target-driven environment.
- Strong written, verbal and organisational skills.
- Driving licence and access to own car.
What it’s like to work for Open Road
Open Road provides drug and alcohol treatment services and offender support services across Essex & Kent including a range of interventions that deliver mentoring, advice and information programmes. Accredited with Investing In Volunteers, our mission is to empower a diverse range of individuals, families and communities to lead healthy and more meaningful lives, free from addiction, offending behaviour and disadvantage, to ensure healthier, happier lifestyles.
Benefits
- £28,000 per annum
- 25 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays plus your birthday off
- Royal London Pension and Death in Service benefit
- Access to our in-house Organisational Training Plan, and full training tailored to your development needs
We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working. Due to the client-facing and service delivery requirements of this role, regular on-site presence will be required. Flexible working requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with business needs. This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check at enhanced level.
Employment Specialist - Criminal Justice & Complex Needs in Basildon employer: Open Road Visions
Contact Detail:
Open Road Visions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist - Criminal Justice & Complex Needs in Basildon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Open Road and understand their mission. When you chat with them, show that you’re genuinely interested in helping people with complex needs. It’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! You’ll need to explain how your skills can help match clients to job opportunities. Keep it concise and focus on your ability to build relationships with employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Attend events related to criminal justice and employment services. The more people you meet, the better your chances of finding opportunities and making connections that could lead to a job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After interviews or networking events, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist - Criminal Justice & Complex Needs in Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Employment Specialist role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for, especially in engaging with clients and employers.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since great communication is key for this role, use your application to demonstrate how you’ve effectively communicated in past roles. Share examples of how you've built relationships or negotiated successfully.
Be Authentic: We love seeing your personality shine through! Don’t be afraid to let your passion for helping others come across in your writing. Share why you’re excited about this opportunity and how you can contribute to our mission.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us directly, apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your application and can consider you for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Open Road Visions
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of an Employment Specialist, especially in the context of criminal justice and complex needs. Familiarise yourself with Integrated Employment Services (IPS) and how they can help individuals with an offending background. This knowledge will show your passion and commitment during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with different audiences, from clients to employers. This will demonstrate your ability to build relationships and negotiate effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and creativity. Think of scenarios where you had to match someone to a job or support them through a challenging situation. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes, as this will highlight your practical experience and innovative thinking.
✨Demonstrate Your Enthusiasm
Let your passion for helping others shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that fuel your drive to support individuals with complex needs. Employers want to see your boundless enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference in people's lives.