Employment Specialist Connect

This Employment Specialist post sits within the Connect to Work programme in Portsmouth City Council's Employment, Learning and Skills service, which supports residents with barriers to work. The holder manages a caseload, builds personal action plans, and supports people into paid work and to keep it, while developing relationships with local employers and generating referrals. The role uses a high-fidelity model with training provided and is office-based five days a week.

Visa sponsorship is not offered, and a basic DBS check is required.

• Manage a caseload of participants
• Give person-centred advice and guidance to help participants find sustainable paid work
• Undertake vocational assessments and develop action plans with participants
• Monitor and review participants' progress before and after they start work
• Provide job retention support to people at risk of losing their employment
• Build positive relationships with local employers
• Identify and negotiate suitable employment opportunities
• Engage with the local community to generate referrals to the programme
• Visit employers regularly and provide in-work support
• Occasionally accompany participants to interviews

• Employer engagement skills, including identifying and negotiating suitable job opportunities
• Managing a caseload, vocational assessments and action plans
• Monitoring and reviewing progress before and after a participant starts work
• Providing job retention support to people at risk of losing work
• Organisation: prioritising workload, meeting deadlines and working towards targets
• IT skills in customer databases, Word, Excel and Teams

• Basic DBS check before any offer of employment
• Right to work in the UK

• Working on own initiative and as part of a team
• Commitment to equality, diversity and providing an inclusive service
• Able to work from the office five days a week

• Experience with in an employment, recruitment or training environment
• Relevant IAG, employment support, coaching or mentoring qualifications
• Willingness to work towards relevant qualifications
• Driving licence and access to a vehicle for business travel