Professional Career Advisor

SERCO OF TEXAS - GULF COAST; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

SERCO OF TEXAS - GULF COAST is seeking Professional Career Advisors to help jobseeker customers explore careers, apply for opportunities, and connect with employers.

You review customers' experience, discuss goals, and guide them through planning, resume reviews, and job search support using tools like WorkInTexas.com.

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred; associate degree required; Houston area; confidentiality is required and travel within the service area may be involved.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to guide and coach job seekers.
• Knowledge of local labor market trends, targeted industries, and career pathways.
• Ability to conduct career assessments, resume reviews, and job search assistance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and workforce systems (e.g., WorkInTexas.com).
• Ability to analyze transferable skills and develop individualized career service plans.

Responsibilities

• Maintains knowledge of regional industries and entry routes for employers.
• Understands Workforce Solutions’ targeted industries and high-growth occupations.
• Provides labor market information and career exploration resources.
• Utilizes career pathway framework to map transferable skills across industries.
• Develops comprehensive service plans with clients and employment goals.
• Offers resume reviews and social media optimization for job seekers.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Labor market knowledge

Career assessment

Resume review

MS Office/WorkInTexas

Education

Associate degree

High school diploma/GED

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Summary:

Professional Career Advisors have student- and employer-facing roles to help jobseeker customers explore careers, apply for opportunities, and connect them with employers that interest them most. Advisors review the customers’ job experience and discusses career aspirations, concerns, and uncertainties, and guides them through the journey. The career advisor in consultation with the customer discusses current and potential skills sets and strategizes to match skills to occupations that will lead to employment in high growth areas aimed at their desired goals. By providing comprehensive customer-centric service, the career advisor enhances workforce development activities and service that is both focused and relevant.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintains a strong working knowledge of companies and industries across the region, what skills and experience local area employers prefer and require, what is the usual means of entry into those companies/industries, and advice on how best apply; previous experience with specific industries such as manufacturing, education, healthcare, etc. is desirable
• Is knowledgeable about Workforce Solutions’ targeted industries and high-skill, high-growth occupations, along with skills, education and experience needed to achieve professional success in these areas
• Provides up-to-date and accurate and relevant labor market information to help a customer in his/her job search, career exploration resources, and data on financial aid (including training and education)
• Is knowledgeable of and able to utilize Workforce Solutions proprietary career pathway framework for identifying and leveraging a client’s transferable skills from one industry and/or occupation to another
• Instills confidence; collaborates with the customer to develop a comprehensive service plan that outlines action steps and an overall employment goal
• Provides comprehensive resume reviews, including professional social media profile optimization and recommended changes such as formats and language to enhance jobseeker positioning within the market along with determining which employers should receive the resume
• Uses WorkInTexas.com and other search engines to identify jobs that meet the candidate’s skill set and helps customers locate and apply for a job that matches the customer’s skills and expectations
• Is thoroughly familiar with digital resources available and use this knowledge to assist customers in making career and job search decisions
• Uses good judgment when suggesting to a customer the benefit of individual help from other Workforce Solutions staff or community resources
• Refers the client to the Education and Training Specialist once a comprehensive career plan has been developed and the need for additional training has been determined

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Associate’s degree in workforce development, human resources, business, social services, or related field. High school diploma/GED with two (2) years of directly related experience may substitute. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

Minimum of one (1) year of experience in workforce development, career advising, case management, education, or human services. Previous experience with targeted industries (e.g., healthcare, education, manufacturing) preferred.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to guide and coach job seekers.
• Knowledge of local labor market trends, targeted industries, and career pathways.
• Ability to conduct career assessments, resume reviews, and job search assistance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and workforce systems (e.g., WorkInTexas.com).
• Ability to analyze transferable skills and develop individualized career service plans.

Other Requirements:

• Must maintain confidentiality and comply with federal, state, and workforce board regulations.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must possess and provide a valid Texas Driver’s License and Automobile Liability Insurance as required by the State of Texas.
2. Must have access to reliable transportation in order to travel within service area.

Physical demands and work environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing duties of the job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; for long periods of time. Employee must be able to drive for extended periods of time. Employees must occasionally lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, must be able to set up display area.
2. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Fast-paced, demanding both, physically and mentally, and in constant communication.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.