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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Help people find and keep jobs while building relationships with local employers.
- Company: Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to supporting local communities.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Empower individuals to overcome barriers and achieve sustainable employment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in job support or related fields.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We are looking to recruit 2 Employment Specialists - Connect to Work.
DBS Disclosure at basic level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The Service
Portsmouth City Council's Employment, Learning and Skills delivers a wide range of DWP, ESFA and ESF funded programmes. The programmes we work on provide support to residents within local communities; many of whom are either long term unemployed, have a disability or health condition, including mental health issues, or have other barriers as to why gaining sustained employment is proving to be a challenge. Services include relevant interventions for young people and other excluded or vulnerable groups to provide local communities with an inclusive workforce.
Your New Role
Working within Portsmouth City Council's Connect to Work Employment Programme, the role will include managing a caseload of eligible Participants to assist them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences; also supporting eligible Participants with job retention. You will deliver a high-fidelity approach (for which training will be given); providing person centred advice and guidance to Participants, whilst building positive relationships with local employers, to enable Participants to move into suitable employment. You will support the team to generate referrals to Programme and engage with the local community to support eligible residents with employment support and job retention services. Connect to Work is a 'work first' intervention designed to support people into sustained employment.
Who is the person?
You will possess strong employer engagement skills, to support essential job search activities and develop positive relationships with employers to maximise employment opportunities. You will be adept at negotiating job opportunities that align with each individual's strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences. Additionally, you will be capable of managing and supporting a caseload of clients, conducting vocational assessments, and creating action plans through regular meetings to monitor and review progress both pre- and post-employment. You will also provide job retention support for participants at risk of losing their jobs and maintain an equality and diversity approach at all times. Strong IT skills are essential, including proficiency in customer databases, Microsoft Excel, Word, and online communication platforms like Teams. You will be able to work independently and within a team, demonstrating flexibility to cope with varying demands and a drive to succeed by setting high personal standards to meet targets.
Special Conditions
Driving Licence and use of a car for business is desirable, because travel will be involved across the city - this is because you will be regularly visiting employers, work placements hosts and customers to carry out employment engagement, placement host reviews and customer in work reviews as well as on occasion to accompany clients to interviews. Due to the diversity of our customer base, the need for regular one to one meetings and the flexibility required in delivering our contracts, a basic DBS Check will be required.
How to apply
To make sure your application is above the rest, please download the Job Profile below to ensure your application matches the requirements of the role. When completing your application you will be required to complete a personal statement, please give examples of your experience and any transferrable skills. Please align your answers with the points on the job profile. This is your opportunity to showcase yourself and your achievements. Please note that this role is office based. We will email applicants from time to time; please ensure you check e-mail folders as sometimes our e-mails may go into spam/junk folders.
Our recruitment process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office 2 days a week (pro rata for part time) depending on the role and business needs. To make sure your application is above the rest, please download the Job Profile below to ensure your application matches the requirements of the role. We are looking for talented candidates who resonate with our core values. Authenticity and honesty in your application is vital to determine whether you are a good fit for the role. We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.
About Portsmouth City Council
What we can offer you: Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council. Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact or call the recruitment team.
Employment Specialist - Connect to Work in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist - Connect to Work in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in your field. Attend local job fairs, workshops, or community events where you can meet potential employers and other job seekers. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! You never know when you’ll bump into someone who could help you land that dream job. Prepare a short, engaging summary of your skills and experiences that you can share in casual conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in making you memorable. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you on the radar of hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources and support to help you along the way. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist - Connect to Work in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Profile: Before you start your application, make sure to download and read the Job Profile. It’s packed with info on what we’re looking for, so aligning your application with these points will give you a solid edge.
Craft Your Personal Statement: Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Use it to highlight your experience and transferable skills. Be specific and give examples that show how you meet the role's requirements.
Be Authentic: We value authenticity and honesty, so don’t hold back! Let your personality come through in your application. This helps us see if you’re a good fit for our team and culture.
Check Your Email Regularly: After applying, keep an eye on your email, including your spam/junk folders. We’ll be reaching out, and you don’t want to miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Employment Specialist role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the Connect to Work programme and how it supports individuals facing barriers to employment. This will help you articulate how your skills align with the job.
✨Showcase Your Employer Engagement Skills
Since strong employer engagement is crucial for this role, prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships with employers in the past. Think about specific instances where you negotiated job opportunities or supported clients in securing employment.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to manage a caseload and provide person-centred advice. Practice responding to hypothetical scenarios related to job retention support or conducting vocational assessments, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Highlight Your IT Proficiency
As the role requires strong IT skills, be ready to discuss your experience with customer databases, Microsoft Excel, Word, and online communication platforms like Teams. Consider bringing examples of how you've used these tools effectively in previous roles.