Employment Specialist – Criminal Justice
Employment Specialist – Criminal Justice
Help people move beyond their past and build a positive future through work
Location: Basildon
Salary: £27,000 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Closing Date: 3rd September 2026
Change lives through employment
Open Road is looking for an Employment Specialist to support people with an offending history and other complex needs into meaningful, sustainable employment.
Having a job can be one of the most powerful factors in helping someone rebuild their life, improve their wellbeing, and reduce the risk of reoffending. As an Employment Specialist, you’ll help people identify their strengths, develop their confidence, connect with employers and secure opportunities that support long-term positive change.
This is a rewarding role for someone who believes in people’s potential and enjoys building relationships, solving problems and creating opportunities.
No specialist employment experience required
We provide full training and welcome applications from people with transferable skills and experience.
You may currently work in:
• Criminal justice or probation
• Housing and homelessness services
• Substance misuse or recovery services
• Health and social care
• Recruitment and talent acquisition
• Employability or careers advice
• Community support services
• Youth work
• Customer-facing or relationship-based roles
• Employer engagement or business development
If you’re passionate about helping people achieve their goals and can build strong relationships with employers and partners, we’d love to hear from you.
What you’ll be doing:
• Supporting people with offending histories and other barriers to employment
• Helping individuals identify their skills, strengths and career aspirations
• Providing practical support with CVs, applications and interview preparation
• Building relationships with local employers and creating employment opportunities
• Promoting inclusive recruitment practices and helping employers overcome barriers
• Working alongside partner agencies and support services
• Providing ongoing in-work support to help people sustain employment
• Maintaining accurate records and contributing to positive outcomes
We’re looking for someone who:
• Builds trust and rapport quickly
• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Is confident engaging with employers and community partners
• Is organised and able to manage a varied workload
• Enjoys finding practical solutions to challenges
• Is resilient, positive and motivated by helping others succeed
• Can work independently while contributing to a supportive team environment
• Holds a full driving licence and has access to a vehicle
Why join Open Road?
Open Road supports individuals, families and communities across Essex and Kent to lead healthier, more meaningful lives free from addiction, offending behaviour and disadvantage.
We believe in investing in our people and creating opportunities for professional development, learning and career progression.
Benefits include:
• £27,000 per annum
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Your birthday off
• Royal London Pension Scheme
• Death in Service benefit
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
• Access to our organisational learning and development programme
• Supportive and experienced team environment
• Opportunity to make a genuine difference to people’s lives every day
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
Join us and help people unlock new opportunities, build confidence and create lasting change through employment.
Application
Please use the following link to complete our online application form. Prior to starting, please ensure you have all of the relevant information to hand. Take time to review the job pack below as the shortlisting will be carried out with the Job Description and
in mind. Person SpecificationOpen Road Application Form (online form)
Open Road Equal Opportunities Form (online form)
Alternatively, you can use this link to complete the form via word and email to shannon.fleming@openroad.org.uk
Open Road Equal Opportunities Form
Open Road values and respects the diversity and individual differences of our services users, staff and our volunteers.
Job Pack