Employment Counselor, DES

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Worcester, MA

1d • Onsite

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, innovative business practices, resource maximization, partnerships, and employer engagement to ensure a skilled, motivated, and adaptable workforce for the Commonwealth's future labor market needs.

The Employment Counselor (EC) provides services within their Industry Sector Team (IST) to help job seekers 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, detail procedures and benefits of agency programs, deliver workshops, maintain liaisons with public and private organizations, compile occupational and educational information, and maintain comprehensive customer information in the Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES) database.

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 employment barriers 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 customer information from records, tests, and interviews to appraise work history, transferable skills, educational background, interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personal characteristics, considering labor market information, and determining marketability.
• Develop a career action plan in collaboration with the job seeker customer, based on assessment results, outlining services including education and training, to achieve the job seeker’s employment goal.
• Participate in a team approach to determine customer suitability for participation in WIOA, Trade, National Dislocated Worker Grants, and specialty-funded services, and determine eligibility for enrollment in these programs.
• Verify all documents/records to ensure appropriate and thorough documentation and recordkeeping for monitoring and compliance with DOL regulations and agency policies and procedures.
• Oversee a complex and extensive caseload, maintaining ongoing customer contact (minimum of 30 days) to determine progress of job search and/or training until employment is found.
• Conduct counseling interviews with jobseekers to provide guidance, suggest approaches, and assist them in achieving occupational, educational, or vocational goals in accordance with federal and state law, regulations, and agency guidelines.
• 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 for monitoring review and compliance.
• Describe, explain, or answer inquiries concerning eligibility, procedures, and benefits using agency guidelines to inform customers and other interested parties of agency programs and services.
• Maintain liaison with public and private organizations, including WIOA Partner organizations and community organizations, to promote programs and services, exchange information, and develop resources for high-quality customer services.
• 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 as required.
• Participate in staff development and cross-training opportunities that expand and support functional skills and promote professional growth.

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