Employment Counselor, DES

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Southbridge, MA

57d

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 and interview processes, reviews and analyzes customer information through records, tests, and interviews, and conducts counseling interviews. They explain eligibility for specific programs, describe agency procedures and benefits, deliver workshops, maintain liaisons with public and private organizations, compile occupational information, and maintain customer information in the Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES) database.

The incumbent is expected to embody the values of MassHire Southbridge Career Center and EOLWD: Collaboration, Respect, Reliability, and Ingenuity.

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.

Responsibilities

• Provide information, assistance, support, and guidance to customers on job search methods, job interview processes, and identifying solutions to barriers to employment to enable job seekers to become job-ready.
• Recommend specific courses of action to prepare customers for employment and/or training opportunities.
• Conduct comprehensive assessment of each customer, including review and analysis of work history, transferable skills, educational background, interests, aptitudes, abilities, personal characteristics, labor market information, and determination of marketability.
• Develop a career action plan in collaboration with the job seeker, outlining services such as 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, and determine eligibility for enrollment.
• Verify all documents and records to ensure appropriate and thorough documentation and recordkeeping for compliance with DOL regulations and agency policies.
• Oversee a complex and extensive caseload, maintaining ongoing customer contact (minimum of 30 days) to track progress in job search and/or training until employment is found.
• Conduct counseling interviews with jobseekers to provide guidance and assist them 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.
• Describe, explain, or answer inquiries concerning eligibility, procedures, and benefits of agency programs and services.
• 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 to assist customers in determining vocational and educational interests and goals.
• Work in tandem with recruiters to cultivate candidate pipelines and match qualified customers to open positions.
• Work closely with career center business services staff to understand employer needs and organizational structure to facilitate appropriate 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.

Benefits

• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

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