Career Counselor

anokacounty; Watonga (OK); Hybrid; USD 50,897 - 68,702; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

The Anoka County Job Training Center seeks a dedicated Career Counselor to help unemployed or underemployed individuals find meaningful job opportunities. You will provide case management, connect participants to workforce programs, and collaborate with local partners to ensure comprehensive support.

Responsibilities include career counseling, assessments, goal setting, developing personalized employment plans, and teaching job search strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least two years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience with Minnesota workforce programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management services for individuals with employment barriers and help access training and employment opportunities.
• Identify and connect participants to workforce and public assistance programs (cash assistance, food support, healthcare).
• Collaborate with local community partners to ensure comprehensive support for participants.
• Conduct career counseling, assessments, exploration, and goal-setting sessions; develop personalized employment plans.
• Maintain accurate electronic case records; document participant interactions and progress.
• Provide instruction on job search strategies: leads, resume writing, interview prep, and application support.
• Establish and maintain regular communication with participants to motivate progress.
• Monitor program compliance for public assistance and employment services programs.

Skills

Strong communication

Public assistance knowledge

Collaboration

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree

2,080 annual hours experience

Tools

WF1

MAXIS

Caseworks

ETPL

Job description

Position Description

At the Anoka County Job Training Center, we are committed to empowering individuals and supporting employers through comprehensive workforce development services. We are looking for a dedicated Career Counselor to help individuals who are unemployed or underemployed find meaningful job opportunities.

Pay & Benefits

• Salary: $50,897 to $68,702.40 annually ($24.47 to $33.03 per hour).
• 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more.
• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
• Advancement and professional development opportunities.

Work Location

• This position may involve flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work with some days working remotely and some days in the office. The primary location is the Blaine Human Services Center, 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434.
• Typical work hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide case management services for individuals with employment barriers, helping them access training and employment opportunities.
• Identify and connect participants to workforce and public assistance programs, including cash assistance, food support, and healthcare.
• Work collaboratively with local community partners to ensure comprehensive support for participants.
• Conduct career counseling, assessments, exploration, and goal‑setting sessions, and develop personalized employment plans.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date electronic case records, documenting participant interactions and progress.
• Provide instruction on job search strategies, including job leads, resume writing assistance, interview preparation, and application support.
• Establish and maintain regular communication with participants to encourage progress and motivate achievement of goals.
• Monitor program compliance for public assistance and employment services programs.

Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Bachelor’s degree and at least two years (2,080 annual hours) of job‑related experience.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year‑for‑year basis.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Degree in psychology, human resources, social work or related field.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with State of Minnesota’s Workforce One (WF1), MAXIS, Caseworks, or ETPL‑Eligible Training Provider List.
• Knowledge of at least one or more of the following workforce development programs:
  • Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
  • Dislocated Worker (DW)
  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Program
  • Pathways to Prosperity (P2P)
• Service delivery supporting Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Standard office environment.
• Vision: close and distance vision, ability to adjust focus, see colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hearing: general and phone communication, including signals and machine sounds.
• Assignments are sedentary with occasional standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required. Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work.
• Occasional lifting of 10‑20 lbs.
• Equipment: computers, phones, standard office equipment.
• Occasional travel to other county work sites; travel may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Pre‑Employment Requirements

Anoka County requires successful completion of a pre‑employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks for certain positions. Applicants must sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain and conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered further for the position.

Commitment to Affiative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affiative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affiative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.

Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. See our EEO policy at https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO.