SECAD Graduate Position: Local Area Employment Service (LAES) Caseworkers – East & West Cork

 2-year fixed term contract

This is a wonderful opportunity for qualified graduate(s) to work with SECAD Partnership CLG. SECAD is a local development partnership, that delivers a range of local and community development programmes including the LEADER Programme, the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Rural Social Scheme, LAES, Tús among others.

This role is ideally suited to a person who is about to graduate or has recently graduated (in last 12 months) and is looking to gain experience in an organisation with a strong community focus. Third level or equivalent qualification(s) in areas such as HR, Recruitment, Community Development, Work & Organisational Behavioural Psychology or Coaching will be considered. Candidates with other subject disciplines which are considered relevant may also be considered. A vast wealth of experience is not necessary, but the applicant must be familiar with the principles of Community Development/Social inclusion and be eager to be trained and grow into the role.

Context of Post

SECAD is developing a team of SECAD LAES Caseworkers that will provide a range of supports to those referred from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to the LAES in our catchment. Supports will include CV preparation, interview skills, career development, technology for work skills, social welfare supports and access to other public services that could assist clients return to employment and/or other routes of activation.

SECAD is seeking applications from graduates who are currently based in or will be based in the East and West Cork catchments respectively.

Principal Duties

• • Ensure the effective completion of referral appointments made by Department of Social Protection (DSP) through the SECAD LAES Co-Ordinator.

• • Engage with referred clients using a three-tier approach encompassing: Initial Assessment, Assessment of Readiness to Work and Change, Interview and Engagement.

• • Identify client goals, aspirations, and barriers to employment, providing good customer service, including meeting and professionally greeting clients.

• • Ensure all initial assessments focus on getting to know the client, their motivation and exploring their aspirations and needs.

• • Identify, clarify, and manage the client’s expectations of the process, including data protection, confidentiality, and ground rules of the LAES intervention and the relationships required to achieve buy-in.

• • Manage a caseload efficiently and effectively in-line with company and funders procedures & guidelines and against defined KPIs.

• • Assist clients with job preparation, including curriculum vitae preparation, job seeking and interview skills.

• • Identify the individual supports required for each client.

• • Facilitate signposting to additional education/training and community-based services.

• • Prepare and maintain a Personal Progression Plan (PPP) for clients.

• • Responsibility for arranging and managing client appointments.

Person Specifications

ESSENTIAL

• • Be motivated to provide a professional service focusing on securing positive outcomes for our clients.

• • Have strong interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills.

• • Have empathy for clients, with the ability to demonstrate an unconditionally positive and respectful approach.

• • Demonstrate a calm and professional approach when dealing with challenging behaviour.

• • Possess good report writing skills,

• • Have strong ICT aptitude with the ability to learn ICT systems quickly and hold a strong general IT skillset in the use of MS Office suite in particular Word, Excel, SharePoint.

• • Hold strong organisational, time management and administration skills (LAES Case Workers will need to manage their own administration duties including record keeping, appointment setting, etc.)

• • Demonstrate the ability to apply deep focus, attention to detail and a capacity to strictly adhere to procedures.

• • Be flexible in terms of availability and work location within the SECAD LAES Catchment (spans East & West Cork)

• • Have a full clean driving licence and own transport that is fully insured.

• • Possess a willingness to learn and be open to taking on new duties and projects that will support the work of our service and most importantly serve to promote the progression of our clients.

• • Excellent teamwork skills developing strong working relationships with individuals and co-workers.

DESIRABLE

• • Have previous relevant work experience (paid or voluntary) supporting those experiencing social exclusion or working in services to support the local community at large.

• • Previous experience in information provision and signposting to services including awareness of referral pathways across education, training, and community services.

• • Have a clear understanding of the effects of unemployment on the individual’s self-image, behaviour patterns and general well-being, particularly the effect on long-term unemployed people.

• • Possess a knowledge of digital tools & information sources focused on education, training, career direction.

• • Demonstrate an ability to support individuals to access opportunities.

• • Previous experience in the use of online monitoring and reporting systems.

• • Understand the principles of social inclusion / rural development.

Graduate Training Provision

Full training will be provided to successful candidates and will include:

• • Case Management System training

• • Education/Training/Community referral pathways & signposting processes

• • CV writing/Interview mentoring as well as broader Employability/ Job-searching knowledge development.

• • Client engagement skills including building rapport and establishing boundaries.

• • General coaching models, tools, and questions.

Additional training opportunities are offered to team members via third parties when available in areas that have a direct impact on caseworkers’ duties/responsibilities.

Salary

Circa €30,000 per annum

How to Submit an Application

Please email your application (CV & Letter of Application) to: info@secad.ie
Subject box to be marked “Graduate LAES Caseworker” by 12:00 pm, Wednesday, 21st June 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be informed on Thursday, 22nd June, and candidates must be available for interview during the week beginning 26th June.