Career Center Consultant

State of Maine•Portland, ME

About The Position

The CareerCenter Consultant works for the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Employment Services, providing employment and workforce development services to jobseekers and employers. The role works directly with customers 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. Consultants may manage caseloads of customers participating in education and training programs and facilitate workshops, hiring events, and other employment-related activities. The position also engages with Maine employers to understand workforce needs and provide business services, including recruitment assistance, labor market information, workforce development resources, and connections to training and apprenticeship programs. Consultants may provide services in community and off-site locations and offer front-line assistance in CareerCenter Information Centers. The position is located in Portland or Springvale. The posted hourly salary range is $21.61–$30.18. The posting states that the position is not 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 occupational significance.
Ability to interview and counsel individuals.
Ability to interact with a diversified customer base.
Ability to communicate effectively and write clearly and effectively.
Any combination of education and/or work experience demonstrating interpersonal skills, including courtesy, tact, empathy, effective relationship-building, sensitivity to individual and cultural differences, and effective teamwork.
Any combination of education and/or work experience demonstrating customer and quality skills, including anticipating and meeting customer needs and providing high-quality service.
Any combination of education and/or work experience demonstrating accountability, including setting priorities, accepting responsibility, pursuing job-related learning, and complying with established rules and control systems.
Any combination of education and/or work experience demonstrating planning and organization skills, including organizing work, setting priorities, adapting to changing circumstances, and monitoring progress and outcomes.

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, 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 workforce topics.
Participate in and coordinate job fairs, hiring events, informational sessions, trade shows, and other employer and community outreach activities.
Develop relationships with and consult employers about workforce needs; provide labor market information, recruitment assistance, workforce development resources, and referrals to training, apprenticeship, and other employment and training programs.
Provide front-line assistance in CareerCenter Information Centers, helping customers navigate employment and workforce 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 3 or more weeks of vacation leave annually; vacation accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
The State pays 85%–100% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary; dependent coverage contributions vary.
A 5% employee-only health insurance premium credit for participation in the applicable program.
Employee-only dental insurance premiums paid in full by the State.
State contribution of 14.06% of pay to MainePERS on behalf of the employee.
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness through the State’s qualified-employer status.
Living Resources employee assistance program.
42 consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child; additional unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.
Additional wellness benefits for State employees; benefits may vary by collective bargaining agreement and are prorated for less than full-time work.