Veteran Representative Employment Counselor

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 57,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Employment Counselor to support veterans in their job search and training needs. This role focuses on providing personalized counseling, facilitating job placements, and developing vocational goals for veterans, especially those with disabilities. You will be instrumental in guiding clients through their transition from military to civilian careers, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to succeed. Join a team committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where your contributions can make a real difference in the lives of those who have served our country.

Benefits

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Employee Rewards Program

Qualifications

• 2 years of professional experience in employment or vocational counseling.
• Bachelor's degree in counseling can substitute for required experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive services and placements for veterans seeking employment.
• Conduct counseling interviews and develop job search techniques.

Skills

Employment Counseling

Vocational Counseling

Guidance Counseling

Job Search Techniques

Interviewing Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Counseling or Guidance

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

ALERT

Effective January 25, 2024, Executive Order #627 cements the Commonwealth's well-established practice of skills-based hiring, paving the way to a more equitable hiring process. The Commonwealth is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to serve our citizens. Join us today!

Job Description - Veteran Representative Employment Counselor (250000MY)

Description

The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) Employment Counselor provides intensive services and facilitates placements to meet the employment and training needs of veterans, prioritizing service to special disabled veterans, other disabled veterans, and other categories of veterans in accordance with priorities determined by the Secretary of Labor; review and analyze Career Center Veterans information through records, tests, interviews and observations; advise clients on such matters as creating employment plans and developing job search techniques; confer with agency staff and others on clients’ behalf; conduct counseling interviews; respond to inquiries regarding eligibility for/benefits of/procedures related to various Career Center programs; act as liaisons to associated public and private service organizations; compile educational and other information as needed and perform related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Review and analyze Career Center veteran information obtained through interviews, records, tests, and observation to determine employment and training interests, vocational aptitudes and abilities, barriers to employment, and eligibility for agency services and programs and to make appropriate recommendations.
• Compile occupational, educational, and other pertinent information to assist Career Center veterans in determining vocational and educational interests and goals.
• Conduct counseling interviews with veterans, prioritizing service to special disabled veterans, other disabled veterans, and other categories of veterans in accordance with priorities determined by the Secretary of Labor; who have substantial and/or significant barriers to employment to (a) assess the type and extent of the barriers and accessibility to available resources; (b) guide and motivate clients and encourage new approaches to job seeking; and (c) assist clients in achieving occupational, vocational and/or training goals based on their needs and the services available, (d) coordinate supportive services.
• Advise veterans on such matters as job search techniques and processes, transitioning their skill from the military to the civilian sector, ways of dealing with barriers to employment, and specific courses of action to prepare for training and employment opportunities.
• Answer inquiries from veterans and other interested parties concerning agency programs and services: eligibility requirements, benefits of using them, procedures for enrolling, etc.
• Serve as liaison to private and other public organizations to promote Career Center programs and services, to exchange information, and to develop shared resources that will enhance services to veterans.
• Consult and coordinate with other appropriate representatives of federal, state and local programs for the purposes of developing maximum linkages to promote opportunities and provide maximum employment assistance to veterans.
• Develop and promote apprenticeship and other On-The-Job training positions for veterans.
• Develop employment and training opportunities for veterans through contacts with employers, especially small and medium size private sector employers.
• Provide appropriate assistance to community-based groups and organizations and appropriate grantees under other federal and federally funded employment and training in providing services to veterans;
• Provide appropriate assistance to other Career Center staff with responsibility for veterans in carrying out their responsibilities.
• Conduct outreach activities with the purpose of locating candidates who could benefit from intensive services and market these services to potential clients in programs and places such as the following:

a. VR&E

b. HVRP

c. Homeless shelters

d. VA hospitals and Vet Centers

e. Civic and service organizations

f. Partners through WIA

h. Other Service Providers

• Refer veterans to appropriate training and employment opportunities; follow up on referrals; update client information and input data via computer VDTs to electronic information systems.
• Administer and interpret various Career Center tests.

THIS IS A JOBS FOR VETERANS STATE GRANT (JVSG) FUNDED POSITION

JVSG program legislation requires state agencies to follow a specific preference order when filling JVSG staff positions.

Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists - Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 4103A(b), preference for appointments to this position must be made in the following order:

a. First, qualified disabled veterans, as defined by 38 U.S.C. § 4211(3)

b. Second, qualified veterans, as defined by 38 U.S.C. § 101. 6

Applicants claiming veteran preference must provide a copy of their DD-214 Member 4 copy and when claiming disabled veteran preference must provide a copy of their DD-214 Member 4 copy and statement of disability from the Veteran’s Administration. Applicants applying via internet must ensure that required military documents, DD214 Member 4 copy and CURRENT U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) statement of disability letter, are submitted prior to closure of the job announcement.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in employment counseling, vocational counseling, guidance, placement counseling, rehabilitation counseling or educational counseling, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the required experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Special Requirements: None.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title: Employment Counselor, DES

Primary Location

Job

Job

: Community and Social Services

Agency

Agency

: Department of Workforce Development

Schedule

Schedule

: Full-time

Shift

Shift

: Day

Job Posting

Job Posting

: Mar 11, 2025, 7:01:28 AM

Number of Openings

Number of Openings

: 1

Salary

: 56,731.74 - 56,731.74 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Dennis Johnson - 6176265111

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: No