Employment Counselor, DES

State of Massachusetts • Lowell, MA

38d

About The Position

Incumbents of positions in this series advise customers on such matters as job search methods and job interview process; review and analyze customer information through records, tests and interviews; conduct counseling interviews with customers; describe, explain or answer inquiries concerning eligibility, procedures and benefits related to agency programs; maintain liaison with public and private organizations; compile occupational, educational and other information; and perform related work as required. The basic purpose of this work is to assist customers in determining and achieving individual vocational, educational and/or training goals

Requirements

• Applicants must have at least (A) 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 (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Re-Employment Services Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) reviews which include intensive one-on-one career action plan and job search review.
• Schedule and conduct RESEA initial and final reviews with claimants either in-person or virtually.
• Conduct review of work search as part of RESEA initial and final review. Explain to customers how to effectively complete and use work search logs in their job search and defines what constitutes a job search and what does not.
• Review customer resume, provide basic tips, and refer to resume writing webinar/workshop and/or to career counselor for resume/job search assistance when needed.
• Assist with and educate customers on labor market tools and resources to meet RESEA requirements and establish job search planning steps using this information.
• Markets career center services to customers
• Maintains staff tracking spreadsheet for RESEA services performed and follows up with staff/customers as needed.
• Assist customers with completing the Mass JobQuest registrations.
• Assist unemployment claimants with basic questions and where appropriate refers to unemployment for further assistance
• Triage customers to appropriate job search paths (i.e., self-directed or staff assisted job search).
• Provide appropriate referrals for career planning services when needed
• Advises customers, on such matters as job search methods, job interview process and/or dealing with social problems to motivate customers and to recommend specific courses of action to prepare customers for employment and/or training opportunities.
• Reviews and analyzes customer information through records, tests and interviews to appraise interests, aptitudes, abilities and personal characteristics, to determine eligibility for agency programs and services and to determine the most appropriate individual vocational, educational and/or training goals based on customer needs and available services.
• Work with customer to identify training needs, participate in a team approach in determine the customers suitability for participation in grant funded training programs.
• Oversee a complex and extensive case load which involves maintaining ongoing customer contact (minimum of 30 days) to determine progress of job search and/or training until the customer has found employment.
• Ability to conduct workshops and seminar when needed, such as; Career Center Seminar, resume writing, interviewing etc.
• Maintain and document all services and notes in the Massachusetts One Stop Employment System database for monitoring review and compliance.
• Assist in the certification of eligibility for customers to enroll into grants and specialty funded services when needed. Verifies all documents/records to ensure the justifications are properly contained for monitoring and compliance with the DOL regulation and Agency policies and procedures.
• Conducts counseling interviews with customers to guide them, to suggest approaches and to assist them in achieving occupational, educational or vocational goals according to agency guidelines.
• Describes, explains or answers inquiries concerning eligibility, procedures and benefits using agency guidelines to inform customers and other interested parties of agency programs and services.
• Maintains liaison with public and private organizations, including community organizations, to promote agency programs and services, to exchange information and to develop the resources necessary to provide customer services.
• Compiles occupational, educational and other pertinent information to assist customers in determining vocational and educational interests and goals.
• Confers with agency staff to exchange information and to ensure that employers' job orders are serviced promptly and properly.
• Performs related duties such as maintaining records, preparing reports and attending meetings.

Benefits

• When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
• Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees