Career Advisor (Employment Counselor)

Greater Lawrence Community Action Council; Lawrence (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community action council seeks an Employment Counselor to guide job seekers in their employment journey. The role involves providing career counseling, facilitating workshops, and managing a diverse caseload to enhance job readiness. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in counseling.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in career counseling or related field.
• Experience in vocational testing and job search methods.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct career center seminars and RESEA reviews.
• Develop individualized career action plans for clients.
• Maintain customer records in MOSES database.

Skills

Career Counseling

Case Management

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work

Job description

Job Summary:

The Employment Counselor provides services for job seekers to assist them in becoming job-ready. TheEmployment Counselor advises career center customers on such matters as job search methods and job interview processes; reviews and analyzes customer information through records, tests, and interviews;conducts counseling interviews with customers; describes, explains, and conducts assessments relatedto eligibility for specific programs, describes and explains procedures and benefits related to agencyprograms; delivers workshops and information sessions, maintains liaison with public and privateorganizations; compiles occupational, educational and other information; maintains timely andcomprehensive customer information in the Massachusetts One-Stop Employment System (MOSES)database and performs related work as required. The primary purpose of this position is to provideservices to individuals through the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Program(RESEA). The U.S. Department of Labor funds RESEA to help unemployment insurance claimants returnto work faster.

Essential Functions/Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct career center seminars to provide information about the various services available to assistindividuals with their job search.
• Conduct RESEA reviews, which include intensive one-on-one career action planning, guidance,development, and job search reviews.
• Provide information, support, and guidance to customers on job search methods and job interviewprocesses, as well as identify solutions to barriers to employment to help job seekers become job ready.
• Recommend specific actions to prepare customers for employment and/or training opportunities.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments for each customer, analyzing their work history, transferable skills, educational background, interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personal characteristics. This includesevaluating labor market information and determining their marketability.
• Collaborate with the job seeker and, based on the comprehensive assessment results, develop a careeraction plan that outlines services, including education and training, to help achieve the job seeker’semployment goals.
• Participate in a team approach to determining the customer’s suitability for participation in programssuch as WIOA, Trade, National Dislocated Worker Grants, and specialty-funded services. Verify eligibilityand ensure all documents/records are properly documented and compliant with federal and stateregulations.
• Oversee a complex and extensive caseload, maintaining ongoing customer contact to monitor progress injob search and/or training until the customer finds employment.
• Conduct counseling interviews with job seekers, providing guidance and suggestions to help themachieve their occupational, educational, or vocational goals by agency policies and state and federal law.
• Maintain and document all services and notes in the Massachusetts One-Stop Employment System(MOSES) database to ensure compliance and accurate monitoring.
• Answer eligibility, procedures, and benefits inquiries, and provide information about agency programsand services to customers and other interested parties.
• Liaise with public and private organizations, including WIOA partner organizations, to promoteprograms and services, exchange information, and develop the resources necessary to provide high-quality customer services.
• Perform related duties as needed, including maintaining records, preparing reports, and attendingmeetings as required.
• Participate in staff development and cross-training opportunities to expand functional skills andpromote professional growth.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related field with three (3) yearsof experience and/or training that includes career counseling, vocational testing/assessment, vocationalreferrals, employment services, or career development/transition; or an equivalent combination ofeducation, training, and experience may be used as a substitute for the education requirement.
• Strong career counseling and case management experience required.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of regional employment opportunities and workforce trends.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Ability to work effectively with and meet the needs of people from a diverse range of backgrounds,cultures, and identities, including underserved communities and people from the different racial groups,socioeconomic statuses, nationalities, and languages that makeup clientele, to support the agency’smission of building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization for employees and clients alike.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Previous experience in employment and training or human resources.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office
equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.This job regularly requires the employee to sit, walk, and stand and use hands repetitively to handle oroperate standard office equipment. The employee is occasionally required to kneel, crouch, or crawl. Theemployee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.