Employment Advisor (Client Services)

It s an exciting time to join us. Oakleaf has a proud history of helping people across Surrey who are managing mental ill health. This position of Employment Advisor, within our Client Services team, is an excellent opportunity to join our National Lottery-funded Path to Success employment project. You will play a crucial role in helping empower local people managing their mental health to re-enter or enter the workplace with confidence and resilience.

Working with a second Employment Advisor and in partnership with fellow local charity Guildford Action, you will assess and develop clients employment potential, assisting them throughout their employment journey alongside collaborating with other support providers and employers to facilitate this process. You will be encouraged to use your experience and skills to make a difference to the lives of hundreds of people attending Oakleaf every month for support.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more detailed information.

Position: Employment Advisor (Client Services)

Responsible to: Client Services Manager

Location: Guildford, Surrey with hybrid working offered (min 60% office, 40% home as agreed)

Hours: 28-36 hours per week (36 hours is full time; part-time from 28 hours considered for the right applicant)

Salary: £27,280 (full time)

Annual leave and benefits:

• 24 days plus bank/public holidays. An additional day is added for each year worked (to a maximum of 4 days). Plus, an extra day off for your birthday!
• Cycle to work scheme
• Private medical insurance post-probation
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discount eye tests
• Access to Charity Worker Discounts scheme
• Work from home/flexible hours

Key Responsibilities (a full list of responsibilities is listed in the Job Description):

1. Work in conjunction with Oakleaf's Client Services team and Guildford Action to help identify clients who are ready to access employment.
2. Prepare clients for employment by supporting the development of a CV, compiling Job Applications, building career development plans, undertaking interview practice, arranging, and assisting at interviews as and when required. Plus, all other elements as may be undertaken through our Job Club.
3. Enhance employer engagement by identifying and building relationships with local employers, other VCFS agencies, Jobcentre Plus and commercial employment agencies.
4. Encourage volunteer opportunities and work placement visits with local employers.
5. Assist clients in identifying work-related training opportunities and supporting them to undertake the training. Where appropriate signpost internally to Oakleaf s Upholstery and/or Gardening departments.
6. Support and facilitate training taster sessions at Guildford Action or Oakleaf.
7. Deliver a weekly drop in job club. Coordinate themed sessions delivered by specialist providers such as CAB.
8. Provide a comprehensive approach to employment support minimising the need for clients to be redirected to multiple providers.

Essential Criteria (a full list of essential and desirable criteria is listed in the Person Specification):

• Experience in career counselling/coaching/training
• Experience in helping people develop job seeking skills e.g., writing CVs, interview techniques, job finding & personal presentation
• Good standard of computer literacy (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Educated to A Level standard
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• The ability to network with a wide range of potential supporters from the community including business, faith-based groups, &the voluntary sector
• An understanding of & empathy with the aims of Oakleaf &the needs of its clients
• Car owner with full, clean driving licence

We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community, and we offer flexibility to assist employees with balancing work and other commitments. We are a Disability Confident employer.