EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER ADVISOR
About The Position
The Employment and Career Advisor assists Rhode Island Works (RIW) program participants in identifying vocational goals suited to their skills, capabilities, and interests, and supports their progress through individualized employment plans. The role provides intake, assessment, testing, job-readiness orientation, job-search assistance, referrals, placement, employment preparation, career enhancement, and follow-up services. It develops comprehensive plans for employable adults and connects participants with activities intended to lead to employment or improve employability. The advisor evaluates participants’ employment potential, identifies barriers and strategies to address them, provides employment counseling, and coordinates with vendors, employers, training providers, and community resources. The position tracks participation and employment engagement, maintains accurate case records and plans, completes reporting requirements, and helps clients navigate applications for childcare and transportation. The role works under general supervision, with work reviewed for compliance with regulations, policies, procedures, and standards. It may train, guide, or direct assigned technical and clerical staff.
Requirements
- Working knowledge of placement, referral, and claims processing systems.
- Thorough knowledge of the TANF statute.
- Familiarity with community resources, industries and businesses, occupational requirements, and employment conditions in Rhode Island.
- Ability to assess participants’ needs and to assess, refer, and evaluate RIW program participants.
- Ability to read and understand complex directives, policies, and related documents.
- Ability to maintain effective relationships with employers, clients, and the public.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- Thorough knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency with basic computer software, specialized databases, and information systems.
- Graduation from a recognized college with specialization in personnel, business, social sciences, or public administration, and at least two years of employment in personnel, business or public administration, or a closely related field; or a substantially equivalent combination of education and experience.
Responsibilities
- Assist RIW participants in developing vocational goals and manage their progress by creating and updating employment plans.
- Provide intake, assessment, testing, and pre-employment or job-readiness orientation to eligible clients, and ensure RIW recipients comply with program requirements.
- Evaluate participants’ skills and employment potential and refer them to suitable employment and training activities.
- Identify barriers to employment with participants and develop strategies to address them.
- Provide employment counseling to clients with employment- or training-related needs.
- Communicate with employment and training vendors to help ensure participants attend scheduled activities.
- Develop individualized plans for clients entering employment and training programs and maintain comprehensive program plans.
- Maintain complete, accurate, and timely case notes and update individual plans according to guidelines and deadlines.
- Track employment activities, monitor attendance, and contact participants who miss planned activities.
- Contact participants monthly to track employment engagement and keep eligible RIW participants informed about employment and training opportunities.
- Establish and maintain relationships with employers, employment representatives, training providers, and related individuals and groups.
- Conduct field visits to encourage employers to hire eligible RIW participants and cultivate employer relationships to identify suitable job opportunities.
- Work with RIW vendors to identify employment opportunities appropriate to participants.
- Refer participants to training, education, and appropriate supportive services, including mental health or domestic violence services.
- Secure and maintain current information about employment and training opportunities available to RIW participants.
- Attend scheduled supervision meetings to discuss participant progress.
- Ensure timely and accurate compliance with reporting requirements.
- Assist customers in navigating childcare and transportation applications.
- Prepare and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly attendance records to monitor work participation activities.
- Train, guide, or direct technical and clerical staff assigned to assist.
Benefits
- Benefits are available to State of Rhode Island employees; details are provided through the Office of Employee Benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
