Employment Counselor

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council•Central Oregon, OR

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join COIC's Klamath Falls team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals seeking employment, education, training, and greater economic stability. As an Employment Counselor, you will work one-on-one with job seekers to assess their goals, identify barriers to employment, explore career pathways, and connect them with workforce, educational, training, and community resources. This role combines career coaching, case management, workshop facilitation, outreach, employer engagement, and partnership development, providing opportunities to create lasting impact for individuals and the broader community. We are seeking a motivated, compassionate professional who thrives in an environment that offers a high degree of autonomy and variety. Successful candidates are organized, adaptable, and comfortable balancing customer service, documentation, community engagement, and independent decision-making. This position requires someone who can effectively manage competing priorities, build strong relationships with employers and community partners, and serve as a trusted guide for individuals working toward employment, skill development, and self-sufficiency. If you are passionate about helping people succeed and enjoy meaningful, mission-driven work, we encourage you to apply. Role of Department: COIC is part of WorkSource Oregon, a network of partnerships and sites throughout Oregon committed to integration, collaboration and focusing on results that matter to workforce customers. Any job-seeking individual is eligible for most services offered through WorkSource. COIC’s Education and Training Program emphasizes employment and education necessary for retraining those who are unemployed or underemployed. Job Purpose: Responsible for providing information on integrated services of various COIC and partner programs. Perform assessment functions and help determine customer needs. Work closely with employers, as well as community and workforce partners to determine customer needs and connect available training and related supportive resources to meet those needs. Determine when to employ COIC employment and training resources to meet identified needs, per current policy and processes. Responsible for case management focused on increasing customers' employment and earnings and decreasing reliance on public assistance. May manage partner programs, conduct workshops, participate in outreach efforts to promote programs to businesses and job seekers, share front desk coverage in WorkSource centers and other program projects as assigned. COIC Mission: COIC supports the region as a trusted leader and partner, helping communities identify and address their unique and common needs through collaboration, shared service delivery, technical assistance, information sharing, and resource development. Diversity and Inclusion: COIC values the diversity of the people we hire and serve. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and fostering a workplace in which individual differences are appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways which elevates the delivery of our services to Central Oregon Communities.

Requirements

Effective use of oral and written communication skills;
Must have demonstrated the ability to work positively and encourage success with high-risk target population;
Knowledge of the assigned labor market, the public/private business sectors, and local community resources;
Ability to prepare clear, concise reports;
Proficient in use of Excel, Word and MS Office Suite and virtual meeting platforms such as, Microsoft Teams and Zoom;
Attention to detail is critical;
Must maintain client and agency confidentiality;
Must have the ability to work independently and effectively without close supervision as well as within a team environment;
Utilize effective time management and organizational skills;
Valid driver's license and access to private vehicle or equivalent means of transportation;
Must pass a criminal background and driving background check;
If backing up the Mobile Employment Counselor, this position will also require passing and maintaining a clean comprehensive drug screen and a clean DMV background check that includes DMV record monitoring. (Bend, OR location only)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience in related field may be substituted.

Responsibilities

Assist customers with Common Registration & Resource Room activities in the WorkSource offices. Duties may include job search assistance, job referrals, resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and "One: One Debriefs" per WorkSource Operational Standards;
Interview customers and assess the need for services beyond information and self-help in the "WorkSource One-Stop" system. Determine what, if any, intensive/training services would be necessary as part of an initial case plan or service strategy, including appropriate use of resources in support of plans and strategies;
Facilitate career exploration based on aptitude/interest evaluations;
Provides ongoing, intensive case management focused on the achievement of specific, individualized employment and training goals of participants. This includes regular updates of participant progress in online data management system;
Depending on the program, may involve intensive regular, sometimes daily contact with clients to ensure their success and documentation of client services and progress as well as follow-up services up to 2 years;
Meet with clients individually to assist with goal-setting, resume-preparation, etc.;
Work with local employers to develop suitable work experience, On-The--Job Training opportunities, other work-related training opportunities, and placements;
Provide related job coaching and on-the-job problem solving;
Maintain relationship with each participant's site training supervisor to facilitate effective work-related problem solving;
Work closely with community partners to ensure good communication and efficient integration among all organizations/agencies from which the customer is receiving services;
Promote a positive image of COIC and its programs;
Track and enter client-related data (possibly including attendance/participation data) into online client database system on a regularly established basis according to client funding source. Narrate all client interactions completely and appropriately;
May conduct job search, work-readiness, and computer classes. May administer and score assessment instruments.
May develop/update curriculum and workshop materials and teach workshops;
May manage and promote partner programs.
May organize, facilitate, and/or present at meetings with community stakeholders, community organizations and/ or with WorkSource partners.
May serve as a backup support for the Mobile Employment Counselor and if so, will be required to pass and maintain additional screenings. (Bend, OR location only)