Employer Engagement Specialist- Skills, Training and Employment at Phoenix (STEP) Program
FULL-TIME, TERM
START DATE: JANUARY 1, 2026
END DATE: MARCH 31, 2026
Phoenix Youth Programs is a non-profit, community-based organization located in K’jipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia. Since 1987, Phoenix has been dedicated to supporting youth between the ages of 11 and 24, their families, and communities across multiple locations in Halifax. Our team of caring professionals recognizes that each person who comes to us has individual needs as well as strengths. People are the leaders in their own lives; Phoenix is a leader in supporting them.
Our approach is informed by the voices of the youth and families/caregivers we serve, important social justice considerations, best practice research, and the wisdom we have gathered from working closely with our local communities, as well as provincial and national partners. Phoenix is known locally, regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation. Most importantly, Phoenix has supported thousands of young people, their families and their communities.
A staff group that represents the diversity of the people and communities we serve is of the utmost importance. Phoenix is committed to reducing barriers and we encourage those interested to self-identify their ethnicity and/or race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, etc. We also invite you to share your pronouns in your cover letter or resume.
Position Overview: The STEP Employer Engagement Specialist will support the Skills, Training and Employment at Phoenix (STEP) Program in collaboration with the STEP Coordinator and STEP Employment Skills Facilitator. STEP is a work readiness program for youth accessing PLEC to gain employment readiness skills through a 5-week training before completing a 12-week work placement (7 cohorts over 3 years). This position will lead in the sourcing and cultivation of positive employer relationships for the youth to be able to engage in the 12-week wage subsidized work placements. This role will serve as a liaison between Phoenix Youth Programs and employers and support with warm transfers over to a youth’s STEP case manager. Administration activities, continuous evaluation, and collaboration with the PLEC team are also required to ensure the program meets youth needs, as well as funder outcomes.
Program Overview: The Phoenix Learning and Employment Centre (PLEC) offers education and employment support for youth aged 16-24. PLEC provides the opportunity to engage in the exploration of education and career development through individualized support, readiness programs, supporting the ability to access education funding, work placements, and wage subsidies.
The Phoenix Learning and Employment Centre is located on the second floor of the Quinpool Centre. It is accessible by elevator and stairs. Once inside the space, there are two gender neutral washrooms, a shared kitchen space, and two common areas that are available to youth and staff. We aim to have resources – be it posters, books, or desktop computers – throughout for all to explore and utilize.
Compensation: Base salary of $54,000 (prorated for the term), Employee and Family Assistance Program, 4% vacation pay, in-house trainings, and professional development opportunities.
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8:30a.m. – 4:30p.m., with some flexibility for occasional evening work.
Location: 6169 Quinpool Rd., Suite 220, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Reports to: Manager, Phoenix Learning and Employment Centre (PLEC)
Screening Requirements: Due to the sensitive nature of our work with youth, this position is subject to a satisfactory criminal record check including a vulnerable sector search, a child abuse register check and proof of education.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure the program is congruent with Phoenix’s vision and values.
Work in accordance with Phoenix’s policies, procedures, and framework of practice.
Support the agency’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through learning opportunities, critical self-reflection, and professional development.
Support the day-to-day operations of PLEC, including contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment with staff, student placements and volunteers. Regularly engaging in providing updates and information focused on employer engagement with other PLEC team members.
Cultivate relationships with employers to establish youth employment opportunities for youth to engage in a 12-week wage subsidized supportive placement.
o Identify, recruit and screen employers with the goal of securing paid work placements for youth participants.
o Actively engage and participate in external network groups/committees and develop strategic partnerships with other employment agencies and Sector Councils.
o Actively engage in opportunities for employer recruitment and youth placement through career fairs and open house events.
o Provide guidance to employers on recruitment, retention, and training of youth, and offer help with workplace integration, culture and diversity as needed/requested.
o Maintain ongoing communication and regular check-ins with employer partners.
Support STEP Coordinator and STEP Employment Skills Facilitator with project service delivery and daily operational activity.
o Support the development and implementation of a workshop focused on career exploration to be facilitated in the early weeks of the 5-week youth employment readiness training program in preparation for a 12-week work placement.
o Support with developing youth’s identified interests in a 12-week work placement and work collaboratively to identify and solidify successful placements with employers in the community.
o Support the start-up and close planning/procedures of each 5-week cohort.
o Work collaboratively with the PLEC team to identify, recruit and screen employers with the goal of securing work placements for youth participants.
Actively engage and participate in internal Phoenix committees, projects, and activities as required.
Complete and maintain records, assessments, daily statistics, and files using the Phoenix database, ensuring youth confidentiality is protected.
Develop and maintain a fluid list of employer contacts and connections.
Support the maintenance and completion of program statistics as well as activity/progress reports as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and maintain positive working relationships with youth and employers.
High level of understanding of youth development issues, particularly housing and mental health, as they relate to labour market engagement.
Ability to engage and work effectively with youth to deliver programming that career exploration skills.
Possess knowledge of labour market trends in Halifax Regional Municipality and an ability to foster positive relationships with employers and other community partners.
Demonstrated understanding and skill applying a social justice lens, using a youth centered approach and trauma-informed practice.
Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and personal reflection towards an anti-oppressive approach to practice.
Demonstrated ability to guide youth through a process of career exploration and education/employment goal setting.
Ability to work in a team environment effectively.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, using the Internet and social media applications to connect with youth
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor of Social Work or any other relevant human services or social science diploma or degree (e.g., Child and Youth studies, Social Services, Psychology, etc.), with a minimum of 2 years direct experience working with youth.
Registration or Candidacy for Registration, certification, or membership of a related professional body (if applicable) is considered an asset.
Experience cultivating and stewarding relationships and working with employers for the purpose of matching participant and securing 8–12-week work placement opportunities.
Must be able and willing to travel throughout HRM via public transit for off-site visits. Possession of a valid driver’s license and regular access to a reliable vehicle would be a considerable asset.
Experience in program implementation, ongoing planning, and overall administration.
Standard First Aid, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), suicide intervention (ASIST) and naloxone administration certification an asset. These trainings are also offered within Phoenix for free.
TO APPLY:
*Please note that interviews may take place during the posting period.
Interested applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter (in Word or as a PDF document) to careers@phoenixyouth.ca, with the subject line “Employer Engagement Specialist”. Your resume should contain pertinent information about your qualifications and experiences and your cover letter should let us know why this is the job for you. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as received until December 19, 2025, at 11.59am (AST).
Accommodation: Phoenix is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where every candidate feels respected and supported. We embrace equal opportunity in our recruitment and selection process and strive to meet the unique needs of all applicants. Phoenix will gladly provide accommodation to the best of our ability to ensure equitable access throughout the hiring process. If you require any accommodation during any stage of recruitment, please feel free to indicate this in your application.
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.