Career Center Consultant

State of Maine•Springvale, ME

3d•$22 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Employment Services is hiring a CareerCenter Consultant to provide employment and workforce development services to jobseekers and employers. Consultants work directly with jobseekers to assess employment, career, education, and training needs; provide career guidance; develop individualized service plans; determine eligibility for programs; and connect customers with employment, education, training, and supportive services. The role may include managing caseloads of customers participating in education and training programs and facilitating workshops, hiring events, and other employment-related activities. Consultants also work with Maine employers to understand workforce needs and provide business services such as recruitment assistance, labor market information, workforce development resources, and connections to training and apprenticeship programs. The position includes front-line service in CareerCenter Information Centers and may involve outreach and service delivery at community and off-site locations. The position is located in Portland or Springvale. It is not currently eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Requirements

Knowledge of job search strategies and placement techniques.
Ability to observe and evaluate individual characteristics, capabilities, and interests in terms of their occupational significance.
Ability to interview and counsel individuals.
Ability to interact with a diversified customer base.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to write clearly and effectively.
Competency in interpersonal skills, including courtesy, tact, empathy, relationship-building, working effectively with people from varied backgrounds, cultural sensitivity, and teamwork.
Competency in customer and quality skills, including identifying customer needs and providing effective, appropriate, high-quality service.
Competency in accountability, including setting objectives and priorities, accepting responsibility, pursuing job-related learning, and following established rules and control systems.
Competency in planning and organization, including setting priorities and goals, adapting plans to changing circumstances, and monitoring progress and outcomes.
Any combination of education and/or work experience that demonstrates the stated competencies.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing information and guidance.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Familiarity with workforce development resources.
Problem-solving and resource-navigation skills.

Responsibilities

Conduct interviews and employment and career assessments to identify customer strengths, interests, skills, employment goals, and barriers to employment, and provide individualized career guidance.
Assess jobseeker and employer needs and develop service strategies, including referrals to Department of Labor programs, workforce partners, community resources, employment opportunities, and training services.
Determine eligibility for applicable programs and services, coordinate supportive services, and refer customers to employment, education, training, and other workforce resources.
Manage assigned customer caseloads, including customers participating in education and training programs, and maintain accurate, timely case records and documentation in accordance with program requirements, policies, and procedures.
Conduct outreach and provide services in community and off-site locations to expand access to CareerCenter services and engage individuals and businesses.
Develop, coordinate, and facilitate workshops and informational sessions on employment, career development, job search strategies, education, training, and other workforce topics.
Participate in and coordinate job fairs, hiring events, informational sessions, trade shows, and other employer and community outreach activities.
Build relationships with employers, understand their workforce needs, and provide business services, including labor market information, recruitment assistance, workforce development resources, and referrals to training, apprenticeship, and other programs.
Provide front-line assistance in CareerCenter Information Centers, helping customers navigate resources, access technology and equipment, conduct job searches, and connect with CareerCenter and partner services.

Benefits

13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and more than three weeks of annual vacation leave; vacation accrual increases with years of service.
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees.
State-paid portion of employee-only health insurance premiums, ranging from 85% to 100%, depending on salary.
A 5% employee-only health insurance premium credit for participation, subject to program requirements.
State-paid 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State contribution of 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
Living Resources employee assistance program.
Forty-two consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child; additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary pre-tax retirement savings through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.
Additional wellness benefits for State employees.