Career Development Specialist (Hamilton)

Vacancy Status: Vacant Replacement Position 

Position Type: Full Time

Pay: $50,778 – $54,405 per annum

Goodwill is hiring, join our growing organization today! We are looking for people just like YOU!

The Career Development Specialist is responsible for engaging, supporting, guiding and following up with job seeking clients in the Career Centre. As a first and primary point of contact for job seekers, the Career Development Specialist will warmly welcome clients using a strengths-based approach to service, deliver appropriate and timely employment interventions and case manage the client through all service delivery aspects.

If you have a passion for making a difference in your community, helping people and the environment – come join Goodwill! We are a diverse and inclusive team dedicated to improving the lives of others through our mission of WORK.

We welcome all backgrounds, knowledge, abilities, and perspectives. We welcome newcomers to the region to apply.  Grow your career, skills and reach your full potential.  

This position requires the successful candidate to have a valid driver’s license and a reliable insured vehicle. The successful candidate would have to provide proof that they have a valid driver’s license and proof of car insurance upon being hired.

About Us

Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes is a leading non-profit organization committed to changing lives and communities through the power of WORK. Ready to work or not, a job at Goodwill is a path to work readiness. Our organization strives to create a workplace which is welcoming and respectful to all where every employee and member feels valued and supported.

Mission:   
Changing Lives and communities through the power of WORK.  

Vision:   
Everyone is working and thriving in sustainable communities.  

Values:   
Inclusion: Embracing all people equally
Compassion: Serving with heart
Aspiring Workforce: Together changing lives through the power of WORK
Respect: Embracing diversity, upholding all people with dignity and trust
Empathy: Ability to walk in each other’s shoes 

Why You Will Love Goodwill:

Competitive Compensation Package includes:

• Benefits (dental/health) available for full-time and some part-time positions (based on hours worked).
• Registered Pension Plan opportunity for various roles.
• Employee discount at retail locations.

Exciting career training and coaching:

• Equitable access to skills training & coaching, scholarships, and educational credentials.

Supportive Life and Work Opportunities:

• Personal and professional development support with Life Coach & Employee Assistance Program.
• Work-life balance
• Building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live.

We have an amazing team and workplace:

• Employer of choice across Southwestern Ontario who meets the Federal Government’s 50/30 challenge for diversity in leadership.
• Commitment to accessibility and mobility (various walking devices and wheelchair accessible work locations).
• Mission-driven organization committed to the Power of Work.
• Environmentally committed to meeting our goal of zero waste on planet earth.
• Respectful, fun, and supportive team and leadership.
• Accredited through CARF International.

What You Will Do:

• Welcome clients into service with engaging, optimistic, timely responsible employment services.
• Provide services in person from Career Centre, other community locations, virtually or by telephone.
• Using the Common Assessment process, assist clients in developing an employment service plan and open case files following current guidelines.
• Work in collaboration with job seekers to develop and initiate realistic and client centered return to work action plans.
• Serve as primary contact for clients throughout their involvement in Employment Services.
• Monitor and evaluate service plan effectiveness and update with stakeholders to build successful outcomes and achieve funder targets.
• Follow Goodwill Career Centre Case Management Toolkit and all program guidelines and funder expectations as outlined in funding agreement.
• Arrange and participate in collaborative case conferences with stakeholders to support client success.
• Maintain accurate and up to date evidence of employment counselling in electronic and paper file system.
• Work in collaboration with Goodwill personnel and clients to deliver identified individual and group employment service interventions as outlined in the Client Service Plan, including but not limited to: interventions in Career Decision Making; Skills Enhancement; Job Search; Job Retention.
• Maintain all appropriate follow up activities including returning job seeker phone calls within a 24 hour time frame and maintain an “active” caseload that guarantees client contact at intervals of no longer than 10 days between contact while respecting client expressed preferences.
• Close client files at conclusion of service plan.
• Support employment retention throughout 12-month post-case management cycle, documenting all contacts and outcomes.
• Develop and submit a minimum of 1 job seeker success story per month following guidelines.
• Follows the Customer Care Cycle (I Care) consistently providing world class customer service to all customers, internal and external, of Goodwill.
• Network and liaise with community service providers to remain current about service options – may include public speaking and formal presentations.
• Keep current with Labour Market Information and employment trends.
• Adhere to our Public Relations policy, acting as a ‘positive ambassador’ when representing Goodwill’s brand in the community.
• Perform other related activities, as necessary or as assigned.
• Follow all safety standards set out in legislation and/or Goodwill policies.
• Be actively involved in the health, well-being and safety of themselves and their team.
• Timely and Accurate completion of service provider requirements for Ministry Delivered Products including but not limited to Better Jobs Ontario, Job Creation Partnership within current guidelines and timelines.
• Network and liaise with community service providers to remain current about service options.
• Keep current with Labour Market Information and employment trends.
• Adhere to our Public Relations policy, acting as a ‘positive ambassador’ when representing Goodwill’s brand in the community.
• Respond to inquiries from management in regards to client data, self-reflections and other information as needed.
• Complete reporting templates as assigned.
• Perform other related activities, as necessary or as assigned.
• Follow all safety standards set out in legislation and/or Goodwill policies.
• Be actively involved in the health, well-being and safety of themselves and their team.
• Other duties as required, including but not limited to coverage of resource centre and front desk.

What We Are Looking For:

• Demonstrated knowledge and adherence to funder guidelines.
• Strong Interpersonal/Team Communication, guided by empathy and optimism.
• Self-Reflection skills.
• Strong networking skills.
• Employment counselling techniques and tools.
• Broad Knowledge of community employment programs and services.
• Assessment skills.
• Knowledge of labour market and future employment trends.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Computer skills.
• Strong Interpersonal/Team Communication guided by empathy and optimism.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Community engagement/networking skills.
• 3-5 years’ experience working with people with barriers to employment preferred.
• Professional development in coaching or employment, social services, life skills, marketing, customer service.
• Diploma or degree in related field (Counselling, Social Services, Psychology) preferred.
• Acceptable criminal reference check.
• Excellent oral/written communication skills.
• Common Assessment Training; Knowledge of current labour market trend, (preferred).
• Experience in conducting group and individual counselling/instructional sessions.

Goodwill Industries OGL thanks all applicants in advance. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes, and work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We will be happy to work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.

We use automated AI resume screening tools to help assess applications. Final interview selection is made by human staff.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 5, 2026