Employment Counselor, DES

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Southbridge, MA

13d

About The Position

The MassHire Department of Career Services (MDCS) oversees the Commonwealth's network of One-Stop Career Centers, assisting businesses in finding qualified workers and providing job seekers with career guidance, job referrals, and training. MDCS aims to strengthen the Career Center system through continuous improvement and innovative business practices to ensure a skilled, motivated, and adaptable workforce. The Employment Counselor (EC) provides services for job seekers within their Industry Sector Team (IST) to help them become job-ready and achieve their employment goals. The EC advises customers on job search methods, interview processes, and program eligibility. They conduct counseling interviews, deliver workshops, maintain liaisons with organizations, compile occupational information, and manage customer data in the Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES). The role emphasizes collaboration, respect, reliability, and ingenuity, reflecting the values of MassHire Southbridge Career Center and EOLWD.

Requirements

At least two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in employment counseling, vocational counseling, guidance, placement counseling, rehabilitation counseling or educational counseling.
OR any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the required experience. Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in employment counseling
Experience in vocational counseling
Experience in guidance
Experience in placement counseling
Experience in rehabilitation counseling
Experience in educational counseling

Responsibilities

Provide information, assistance, support, and guidance to customers on job search methods, job interview processes, and identifying solutions to barriers to employment.
Recommend specific courses of action to prepare customers for employment and/or training opportunities.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of customers, including reviewing work history, transferable skills, education, interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personal characteristics, considering labor market information, and determining marketability.
Develop a career action plan in collaboration with the job seeker, outlining services like education and training to achieve employment goals.
Participate in a team approach to determine customer suitability for WIOA, Trade, National Dislocated Worker Grants, and specialty-funded services.
Determine eligibility for job seeker customers to enroll in specific programs.
Verify documents and records to ensure proper documentation and compliance with DOL regulations and agency policies.
Oversee a caseload, maintaining ongoing customer contact (minimum of 30 days) to track progress in job search and/or training until employment is secured.
Conduct counseling interviews to provide guidance and assist jobseekers in achieving occupational, educational, or vocational goals.
Conduct Career Center Seminars and other group services as needed.
Conduct RESEA reviews, including intensive one-on-one career action plan and job search reviews.
Maintain and document all services and notes in the Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES) database.
Inform customers about agency programs and services, explaining eligibility, procedures, and benefits.
Maintain liaison with public and private organizations, including WIOA Partner organizations and community organizations, to promote programs, exchange information, and develop resources.
Compile occupational, educational, and other pertinent information in an assigned industry area.
Work with recruiters to cultivate candidate pipelines and match qualified customers to open positions.
Collaborate with career center business services staff to understand employer needs and facilitate customer referrals to job orders.
Perform related duties such as maintaining records, preparing reports, and attending meetings.
Participate in staff development and cross-training opportunities.