Employment And Career Advisor

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management•Woonsocket, RI

About The Position

The Employment and Career Advisor assists Rhode Island Works (RIW) participants in identifying vocational goals that reflect their skills, abilities, and interests, and supports their progress toward those goals through individualized employment plans. The role provides intake, assessment, testing, 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 and services intended to help them obtain employment or improve their employability. The advisor evaluates participants' skills and employment potential, identifies barriers to work, and develops strategies to address those barriers. The position provides employment counseling, coordinates with employment and training vendors, employers, and community resources, and monitors attendance, participation, and employment engagement. It maintains case notes, plans, attendance records, and required reports, and helps participants navigate applications for childcare and transportation. The position works under the general supervision of a superior and 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 assess, refer, and evaluate RIW 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 in 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, 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 clients eligible for employment services.
Ensure RIW recipients comply with program requirements.
Evaluate participants' skills and employment potential and refer them to appropriate employment and training activities.
Identify barriers to employment with participants and develop strategies to address them.
Provide employment counseling for clients with employment- or training-related needs.
Communicate with employment and training vendors to support participants' attendance at scheduled activities.
Develop individualized plans for clients entering employment and training programs and maintain plans designed to achieve desired results.
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely case notes and update individual plans according to established guidelines and deadlines.
Track employment activities, monitor attendance, and contact participants who miss planned activities.
Establish and maintain relationships with employers, employment representatives, training providers, and related groups.
Contact participants monthly to track employment engagement and maintain contact with eligible RIW participants about employment and training opportunities.
Attend scheduled supervision meetings to discuss participant progress.
Conduct field visits to encourage employers to hire eligible RIW participants.
Refer participants to training, education, and appropriate supportive services, including mental health or domestic violence services.
Maintain current information about employment and training opportunities available to RIW participants.
Develop relationships with area employers and work with RIW vendors to identify suitable job opportunities for participants.
Meet reporting requirements accurately and on time.
Assist customers with applications for childcare and transportation.
Prepare and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly attendance records to monitor work participation activities.
Train, guide, and/or direct technical and clerical staff assigned to assist.