Open Door Group (ODG), a trailblazing non-profit organization serving communities across Canada, is looking for a Customized Employment Specialist to join our team!
Open Door Group’s WorkABility Program is launching in Calgary, and we’re building an energetic new team to help job seekers with diverse abilities connect to meaningful, rewarding employment. This is your chance to be part of an exciting start up - shaping a brand-new office, building community connections, and creating real impact. Join us in making a difference and opening doors to limitless possibilities! Take a look at all our open roles, and feel free to apply to more than one!
Status: Part-Time, Permanent
Hours of Work: 28.8 Hours per week
Salary: $31.00 to $32.00 per hour
Location: The primary work location for this position will be in-person, in Calgary downtown/Beltline.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2025

Posting Closing Date: August 19, 2025
The Customized Employment Specialist is dedicated to supporting individuals who face significant challenges entering the traditional workforce. This role focuses on guiding clients with disabilities, complex needs or multiple barriers to successfully access and maintain community-based employment. By conducting comprehensive Discovery assessments, this role develops and implements individualized employment plans and collaborates with employers to carve or create unique work opportunities customized to a client’s ideal conditions of employment. This role is delivered out in the community using non-traditional employment approaches.
Customized Employment is an individualized and flexible approach that personalizes the relationship between job seekers and employers to benefit both parties. The Customized Employment Specialist supports clients through completion of the customized employment discovery process by interviewing and observing clients to identify their strengths, interests and employment barriers, obtaining required information from a variety of sources such as families and care providers. Based on the client Discovery and Employment Profile, the Customized Employment Specialist collaborates with employers to carve or create Customized Employment opportunities to align with the client’s ideal conditions of employment or explores Self-Employment options, where most appropriate, to meet the client’s unique needs and abilities.
Your day will be spent engaging with clients in their community, conducting Discovery Assessments to assess their skills, interests and preferences, collaborating with employers to negotiate job placements, and providing job coaching to clients on worksites.
Please see the full job description for a detailed description of the responsibilities included in this position. Full posting and job description are available here: https://www.opendoorgroup.org/about-us/join-our-team

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma in Social Sciences or a relevant discipline.
• Recent, related experience of two (2) years facilitating discovery assessments and providing customized employment services.
• Experience working with persons with complex needs (may include substance use, severe mental health conditions, complex disabilities or health issues or unstable housing).
• Experience maintaining written client records, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (can be acquired after hire).
• Mental Health First Aid Training (can be acquired after hire).
• Motivational Interviewing Training and Certification considered an asset.
• Trauma-Informed Practice Training and Certification considered an asset.
• Valid BC driver’s license and use of a personal motor vehicle during working hours.
• CCDP Certification considered an asset.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

CUSTOMIZED EMPLOYMENT SKILLS

• Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments, develop individualized service plans, and provide employment-related counselling and coaching.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and motivational interviewing strategies and practices.
• Knowledge of employment barriers, job search strategies, and customized employment principles.

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Ability to foster positive relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and with complex needs. Ability to observe, recognize, and respond appropriately to changes in clients.
• Ability to resolve conflicts diplomatically and maintain composure under pressure.
• Ability to write clear and comprehensive assessment reports, detailing findings and recommendations effectively.

CASE MANAGEMENT SKILLS

• Ability to meet deadlines, manage a high-volume caseload, and work under pressure while maintaining quality, customer-centered service.
• Time management skills combined with ability to prioritize, strong organizational skills and attention to detail necessary.
  Open Door Group values diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive work environment. We are looking for qualified individuals who represent, at all job levels, the diversity of the people we serve and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, individuals of all genders and sexual orientation, origin and ethnic affiliations, disability, age, and religion.
  We strive to ensure an accessible experience for candidates. If you require an alternative method to submit your application, please contact us toll-free at 1 866 377 3670 and ask to speak with an HR representative, or you can email us at humanresources@opendoorgroup.org.

Please refer the Job description for details