Career Counselor

Kinsley Power Systems; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cambridge seeks a Career Counselor to deliver individualized career guidance, intake assessments, and tailored employment plans for adults 18+. You will support resume and interview prep, connect clients to training and services, and maintain comprehensive case documentation.

Collaborating with program staff, you’ll lead workshops, participate in outreach activities, and promote equitable, participant-centered services for diverse residents of Cambridge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, human services, social work, psychology, education, workforce development, or a closely related field.
• Three years of professional experience in employment and training, career counseling, workforce development, social services, or a related human services field, including work with adults, low-income clients, and individuals from multicultural backgrounds to define and achieve employment goals.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Perform intake assessments and develop individualized career action plans.
• Provide resume, interview, and job-search assistance.
• Coordinate with education and training resources and supportive services.
• Maintain accurate case records and program documentation.
• Conduct workshops and outreach to engage community partners and participants.

Skills

Knowledge of workforce needs

Labor market trends

Job-search tools

Career counseling practices

Diversity & inclusion

Client goal setting

ETO software literacy

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in counseling or related field

3 years of professional experience in employment services

Equivalent education/experience acceptable

Tools

ETO

Job description

Position Summary

The Career Counselor provides individualized career counseling, employment support, and workforce development services to Cambridge residents ages 18 and older, with an emphasis on supporting low-income residents, people of color, and individuals facing barriers to employment. Working as part of a collaborative and community-centered employment services team within the Department of Human Service Programs, the position conducts intake and assessment activities; develops individualized employment and career action plans; provides resume, interview, and job application assistance; connects participants to training, education, and supportive service resources; and maintains accurate case documentation and program records. The Career Counselor supports residents across a broad range of occupations and industries and requires strong interpersonal skills, cultural responsiveness, patience, flexibility, and the ability to provide respectful, equitable, and participant-centered services.

Essential Job Functions and Duties

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Conduct employment intake assessments, orientations, and individualized career evaluations to identify clients’ employment needs, goals, barriers, and service needs.
• Develop individualized action plans collaboratively with clients outlining current employment status, career goals, and the services and strategies needed to achieve them.
• Provide guidance and support to clients in preparing resumes, cover letters, applications, and other job-search materials and in identifying, evaluating, and applying for employment opportunities aligned with their skills, interests, experience, and career goals.
• Establish and maintain referral partnerships with adult education, workforce training, employment service providers, and community-based social service agencies, and connect clients to resources that support employment, economic stability, and career advancement.
• Collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary employment services team, including the Adult Employment Director, Career Counseling Coordinator, Career Counselors, Job Developers, and other program staff and partners.
• Maintain accurate and timely electronic and paper case records, documentation, periodic caseload reports, and related program records in accordance with program and funding requirements.
• Design, manage, and improve ETO reports, reporting tools, electronic forms, data systems, and workflow tools to support adult employment programs, caseload management, data collection, program planning, and service delivery.
• Identify and resolve data, reporting, electronic form, and system errors to improve the accuracy, accessibility, and relevance of program information.
• Train staff on the use of ETO, electronic forms, reports, and related data systems to support consistent documentation, reporting, and caseload management.
• Assist with program planning and design in collaboration with the Career Counseling Coordinator, Adult Employment Director, Director of the Office of Workforce Development, and other program staff.
• Facilitate employment-related workshops, orientations, and group presentations as assigned.
• Participate in community meetings, outreach activities, and events to promote program services and engage prospective clients and partners.
• Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, human services, social work, psychology, education, workforce development, or a closely related field preferred.
• Three (3) years of demonstrated professional experience in employment and training, career counseling, workforce development, social services, or a related human services field, including experience working with adults, low-income clients, and individuals from multicultural backgrounds to define and achieve employment goals.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of current workforce needs, labor market trends, job-search tools, and employment strategies.
• Knowledge of career counseling, workforce development, employment planning, and supportive service referral practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an employment services team.
• Ability to build trusting, respectful, and supportive relationships with adult job seekers from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to support clients in identifying goals, addressing employment barriers, preparing job-search materials, and connecting to appropriate training, education, employment, and supportive service resources.
• Computer literacy, including familiarity with case-management and performance-management database software such as ETO, is preferred.
• Ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups across diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction of the Program Director, Level 2 (Adult Employment), exercising independent judgment and initiative in managing client caseloads, coordinating employment services, and prioritizing daily activities. Work is reviewed through regular meetings, case consultations, evaluation of outcomes, and program effectiveness.

Supervision Exercised

This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities but may provide functional guidance or peer support to interns, volunteers, or temporary staff as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with regular use of computers, telephones, case-management systems, and other office equipment. The position involves frequent interaction with clients, community partners, service providers, and program staff, and may include client meetings, workshops, outreach activities, and partner agency coordination. The role may require occasional travel within the community to attend outreach events, meetings, workshops, or partner agency activities.

Physical Demands

Work is primarily sedentary and office-based, requiring prolonged periods of computer use and the ability to access, input, and retrieve information electronically. The position requires frequent communication in person and by telephone; close visual attention when reviewing case records, reports, client information, job-search materials, and program documentation; and the ability to maintain accurate electronic and paper records. Work may require occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting or carrying files, materials, or supplies weighing up to 10 pounds.

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.