Career Counselor

Serrato Corporation • McKinney, TX

2d

About The Position

The Career Counselor delivers counseling services to assigned residential and non-residential students in personal and social development, career employment, and behavior. The role provides individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and support throughout students’ enrollment and post-center career transition. The counselor collaborates with center staff, families, and community resources to support student progress, achievement of personal and career goals, and successful completion of the program.

The position includes conducting and documenting intake assessments and counseling sessions; developing, updating, and maintaining students’ Personal Career Development Plans (PCDPs); monitoring attendance and progress; coordinating referrals and support services; and ensuring that required records are completed and safeguarded. The counselor also supports student evaluations, career planning, job-search preparation, transitions, and compliance with center policies and student privacy requirements.

Requirements

• One year of experience in counseling or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree, including 15 semester hours of social services-related instruction.
• Proficiency with advanced Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel.
• Computer literacy, including basic computer functions, email, internet, and programs such as Adobe Acrobat.
• High-level communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to motivate, inspire, and counsel students effectively.
• Knowledge of career planning, job-search strategies, and interview preparation.
• Valid state driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Contact assigned students before their scheduled arrival to welcome them, provide center information, explain behavioral standards and expectations, and help ensure they are prepared to enroll and complete the program.
• Meet and greet assigned arrivals at the center or at the assigned travel termination point.
• Provide interventions for students accumulating NIRs or unexcused absences, and document interventions in case notes.
• Conduct and document an intake assessment, including student history, within the first 24 hours of enrollment, and submit a copy to the Health and Wellness center for review and inclusion in the student health record.
• Provide structured, scheduled, and documented individual social development and adjustment counseling weekly during CPP (the first 60 days) and monthly thereafter; document sessions in case notes.
• Schedule and conduct monthly group support sessions addressing issues such as abuse, relationships, child care, homesickness, and language or cultural barriers.
• Ensure each assigned student attends a group or enhancement program.
• Maintain weekly contact with CPP students during their first 60 days, collaborate with staff, support students in establishing personal and career goals, and help reduce early separations before 90 days.
• Create positive interventions for students who are performing well, including activities and interactions on and off center.
• Manage and monitor a caseload through frequent CTT and academic classroom visits, observing students and interacting with staff.
• Collaborate with residential, recreation, career transition, and instructional staff to manage student progress, concerns, achievements, and PCDP goals.
• Identify students needing more intensive services and refer them as appropriate; implement and document strategies addressing personal issues, including mental health, medical issues, and English-language learning needs.
• Document counseling sessions using the RAP format: reason for the session, assessment, and plan of action with appropriate follow-up. Complete documentation on the same day as contact, with exceptions kept to a minimum.
• Document positive and negative interventions appropriately in case notes or counseling files.
• Protect student personal information subject to the Privacy Act and advise students about the applicable protections.
• Collaborate with each student to initiate a PCDP documenting personal career goals, training needs, challenges, progress, and accomplishments throughout enrollment and the post-center Career Transition Period.
• Update and maintain PCDPs in the Job Corps automated system in cooperation with appropriate staff, at least at each regularly scheduled progress evaluation; provide students copies whenever plans change and at separation.
• Ensure counseling services are available on weekends and during emergencies.
• Provide support services, including assisting with UA retrieval; conferring with parents, admissions counselors, career transition specialists, and social service agencies; and making community-resource referrals as appropriate.
• Stay current on industry certifications offered and their attainment requirements.
• Share information with departments and community resources as needed and in accordance with student privacy and disclosure requirements to coordinate student services, particularly support for training-program requirements.
• Ensure each student participates in ongoing evaluations with appropriate staff at least every 60 days.
• Provide each student with individualized projects and activities to address Career Success Standards rated “Needs Improvement” on the CS-SET or ESP.
• Participate in Career Management Team (CMT) panels when students are recommended for transition into CPD and CTR/CTS.
• Ensure PCDPs are updated, resumes are uploaded, transitional needs assessments are completed, referrals are made, and job-search strategies are recorded on PCDPs.
• Conduct and document UA retrieval efforts in CIS and forward UA occurrence documentation to student records.
• Assist students, at their request and expense, in arranging return transportation.
• Monitor, encourage, support, and enforce center attendance rules.
• Assist students in requesting and obtaining approval for leaves and passes.
• Safeguard minor students in accordance with limitations established by their parents or guardians.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid short-term and long-term disability and basic life insurance.
• Health care insurance available, including medical, dental, vision, critical illness, accident, HSA, and FSA options.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid time off.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee Assistance Counseling Service Programs Available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level