At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in finding meaningful employment and build relationships with local employers.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking local government team dedicated to community growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26-31 days of holiday, pension, and wellness support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment support and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36873 - 36873 £ per year.
The starting salary for this role is £36,873 per annum based on a 36-hour working week. This is a fixed term opportunity until March 2029. We are excited to be recruiting Employment Specialists to join our fantastic team in delivering the Connect to Work programme. This role is based in the office one day per week, with the remainder of the week spent in the community.
Our Offer to You
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.
About the Role
The role will be crucial in delivery of Connect to Work and you will be expected to work in a target driven and fast-paced environment. The post holder will have responsibility for leading on building relationships with other services and supporting participants within community-based locations but will also be required to work across the county as required. Please note, that as a community based position, this role is not suitable for home working.
You will be responsible for a caseload of participants, supporting them to gain or return to paid competitive employment, following the IPS principles and aiming for high Fidelity compliance. You will be person-centred in your practice, working holistically with participants to understand them and find them the right type of employment but also ensuring that you recognise and support the needs of employers as this will be essential to make the programme a success.
You will be working in a target driven environment and with experience working with residents to help develop a more diverse talent pool. You will work horizontally across the Economy and Growth team and with partners to help identify a pipeline of residents that could benefit from Connect to Work and other employment support.
Some of the responsibilities you'll have for each participant on your caseload are:
- Vocational profiling
- Action planning
- Job searching
- CV writing
- Job matching
- Interview preparation
- Signposting to training
- In-work support when employment is secured.
You will also support employers with aspects such as:
- Understanding the available job opportunities by building established and trusting relationships
- Helping with any candidate's required training needs prior to recruitment
- Work with employers to carve any necessary adjustments to roles including possible job carving
- Assistance with navigating related support such as Access to Work
- Continued contact and underpinning support after recruitment to ensure sustained success
- Providing new employees with in-work support
The role will involve working closely with Job Centre Plus, health and social care, charities and employers to encourage referrals from residents. This will also include working with employers to identify existing and 'hidden' employment opportunities that can allow participants to flourish in the role. This could involve making necessary adjustments or job carving to ensure success in the role.
Shortlisting Criteria
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Experience working at pace on a 1-2-1 basis in a target driven employment support setting (or similar) managing a caseload of people with diverse needs looking for work
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of meeting employer workforce needs, and ability to be a bridge between employer workforce needs and the opportunities presented by the residents on your caseload
- Experience managing relationships with a range of stakeholders, especially employers, tailoring communication style appropriately for the audience
- Ability to utilise case management systems (or similar) to effectively manage participant information and records
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 3 questions:
- Outline your experience of working in an employment support setting, providing 1-2-1 support and advice to achieve the best outcome for the individual and ensuring you keep high quality notes of support given.
- Outline your experience of engaging and working with employers and other stakeholders to help generate opportunities for individuals.
- Please describe how you have worked alongside other support services (such as community or health services) to deliver successful outcomes for a participant and how you have recorded and evidenced this success.
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.
The job advert closes on 11th June 2026 with interviews planned for the 24th and 26th of June 2026. We look forward to receiving your application.
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Community Employment Specialist: Connect to Work employer: The Training Brokers Ltd
Join our dedicated team as a Community Employment Specialist in Surrey, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents through the Connect to Work programme. We offer a supportive work culture with generous benefits including 26 days' holiday, a local government pension, and access to a wealth of learning resources, all while working in a vibrant community-focused environment that champions diversity and inclusion. With a commitment to employee growth and wellbeing, this role provides a unique chance to contribute to the local economy and support individuals in achieving their employment goals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Employment Specialist: Connect to Work
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research their values and mission, especially around community support. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for interviews by role-playing common questions with a friend. Focus on how your experience aligns with the job description, especially around supporting diverse needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Employment Specialist: Connect to Work
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Community Employment Specialist role. Highlight your experience in employment support and any relevant skills that align with the job description. We want to see how you can make a real difference!
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully:When answering the application questions, be specific and provide examples from your past experiences. Show us how you've successfully supported individuals and engaged with employers. This is your chance to shine!
Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills:Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, emphasise your ability to build relationships. Share examples of how you've collaborated with employers or other services to create opportunities for participants.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Training Brokers Ltd
✨Know the Connect to Work Programme
Familiarise yourself with the Connect to Work programme and its objectives. Understand how it supports participants in gaining employment and how you can contribute to its success. This will show your genuine interest and help you answer questions more effectively.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific instances from your past experience where you've successfully supported individuals in their job search or worked with employers. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you've built and maintained relationships in previous roles. Highlight your communication style and adaptability to different audiences, as this is crucial for connecting with both participants and employers.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of Diverse Needs
Be prepared to talk about your experience working with diverse populations and how you tailor your approach to meet individual needs. This could include discussing any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, showcasing your person-centred practice.
