Youth Career Counselor

Argus Dental & Vision, Inc; Cumberland (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Maryland Consortium is seeking a Youth Career Counselor to provide information, education, and job training services to eligible clients aged 24 and under. You will guide youth in career readiness, help with resumes and interviewing, and coordinate with local partners to access employment opportunities.

This role requires strong communication and organization in a professional office setting, with duties including workshops, client follow-up, and program documentation.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or two years of job-related experience.
• GCDF certification preferred but must be obtained within 1 year.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Become proficient with WMC policies and partner programs.
• Participate in staff training and professional certification.
• Develop cross-referral relationships with AJC partners.
• Stay informed on local, regional, and national employment trends.
• Facilitate youth workshops on resumes, interviewing and workplace skills.
• Develop individual job search plans for participants.
• Maintain regular contact with clients during job search and follow-up.
• Keep active files and documentation for program participants.
• Assist with program close-out and follow-up with employers.
• Perform other duties to support program operations.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Rapport building

Education

Associate degree or two years of job-related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Youth Career Counselor provides information, education, job training services and resources to help eligible clients (Aged 24 and under) to get, keep or obtain a better job. They provide professional advice to clients who want job search guidance, career advice or placement. They also help access other services that may be wanted or needed by the client.

Essential Functions

• Become proficient with the program services and operation policies of the Western Maryland Consortium (WMC), the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) – American job center partnerships and mission statements.
• Participate in all appropriate WMC staff training and workforce professional certification process.
• Become knowledgeable regarding the American Job Center partners and other community resource agencies to develop relationships for cross referral of customers based on the individuals assessed needs to access the agencies programs, services, benefits, and program eligibility requirements.
• Maintain familiarity with current local, regional, and national employment trends and the career development aspects of jobs in demand and the career pathways that are required to compete for those jobs.
• Comfortable facilitating workshops and group sessions for youth, including career readiness topics such as resumes, interviewing, and workplace skills.
• Develop a job search plan of action for each participant reflecting the summary objectives listed in the Individual Employment Plan (IEP).
• Must maintain regular contact with the client during the job search, during employment and follow-up employment retention period as required by WIOA.
• Maintain active files that are required documentation for each program client that is enrolled in WIOA Title I, Adult, Youth and Dislocated Worker programs.
• Upon completion of the training contract or at the end of the duration of program and services, provide information and assistance with program close-out and maintain follow-up contact with the employer/supervisor and participant to determine if any follow-assistance is required.
• Perform other duties as required for successful operations of programs and services of the Western Maryland Consortium WIOA Title I.

The above requirements are representative of minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities. To perform this job successfully, the individual will possess the ability and aptitude to perform each duty proficiently.

Educational and Other Requirements

• Associate degree or two years of job-related experience.
• GCDF certification is preferred but not required. It must be obtained within 1 year of hire.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders, including participants, colleagues, and community partners.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to deliver constructive feedback, facilitate group discussions, and write clearly and professionally.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements represent those that an associate must meet to perform this job’s essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions may be available.

While performing the essential functions, the associate is sitting, standing, walking, talking, hearing and use of manual dexterity most of the time while occasionally, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, grasping, feeling, and using repetitive motion.

Work is generally performed in an office environment; however, the associate may be exposed to extreme cold, heat or temperature changes and possible atmospheric conditions and hazards and moderate noise. The associate must have the ability to exert force with little physical effort and for light and medium work.

Other information to consider:

• The job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder might differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties as assigned might be part of the job.
• This job description does not constitute an employment contract; the employment relationship between Western Maryland Consortium and the employee is an at-will relationship.
• This job operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
• There may be occasional local day travel. No overnight travel is expected for this position but may occur occasionally.