Employment Specialist

Directorate: Chief Executive’s

Section: Economic Development – Jobs, Enterprise and Training

Location: Swann House

Grade: Level 7

Salary: £31,022 - £33,699 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it’s about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that’s where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

The Stoke-on-Trent City Council JET (Jobs, Enterprise & Training) service supports the residents of the city with all matters surrounding employment, including if you have recently been made redundant. The Connect to Work service is a voluntary employment programme with the aim of supporting those with disabilities, health conditions and complex personal challenges, through a tailored programme of support to overcome obstacles to employment and sustain employment.

The main purpose of the role is to deliver Connect to Work on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. This is an exciting and rewarding role supporting people who wish to work to find and sustain work through a range of supported interventions.

You will provide person‑centred support to clients, including vocational profiling to identify skills and interests and any barriers to employment. You will develop SMART action plans based on needs and employment goals and support with job preparation. There will be elements of employer engagement in the role and you have up to six months to continue to support a client once they are in employment.

• Providing individualised, person‑centred support to residents including delivering impartial, high‑quality information, advice and guidance
• Source opportunities for residents through tailored job search and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden employment opportunities
• Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments and ongoing contact with the employer to ensure job retention

• Ideally a level 3 professional qualification or equivalent level of experience
• Some knowledge of employer legislation
• Understanding the employment needs and challenges faced by people who experience labour market exclusion
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes

• Right to Work in the UK
• Proof of address
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health Clearance Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role)

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority.

If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply.

We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.