Employment Services Worker

County Of Albemarle•Charlottesville, VA

1d•$32 - $36•Hybrid

About The Position

Performs responsible, equitable, and professional casework and administrative work in an inclusive team environment. Uses an asset-based approach to assist agency clients with employment and related support services. Works with clients to identify educational, training, psychological, social, medical, financial and other needs and strengths. Services may include assistance with job preparedness, job finding, community work experience projects, vocational rehabilitation through the coordination of Benefit Programs and referrals to local employment services programs with the goal of reaching self-sufficiency.

Requirements

High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
Workers in this position are required to drive and they must meet the eligibility requirements of the County’s safe driver policy.
Working knowledge of practices of public social service organizations; employment services; State, Local and Federal guidelines.
Knowledge of employment counseling techniques, work site development and placement techniques and assessment techniques.
Knowledge of casework strategies that are effective in promoting self-sufficiency.
General knowledge of social, economic and health problems; general knowledge of social institutions and methods of problem solving and the helping process.
General knowledge of individual and group behavior.
Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work; ability to comprehend complex rules, policies and regulations; ability to respect individual differences and promote client independence.
Strong interviewing skills and ability to determine client’s employment history, goals and barriers to employability.
Ability to communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, co-workers and other professionals and technical staff, social agencies and the general public.
Proficient written communication skills and ability to prepare reports and maintain records.
Skills in operation of personal computer and ability to learn and utilize multiple applications.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree
Direct eligibility experience
Experience working effectively and successfully within a team
Experience working with populations with limited English proficiency.

Responsibilities

Participates as a member of the Self-Sufficiency team. Attends and participates in unit/team/staff meetings and other meetings as required.
Explains the employment services program to prospective VIEW clients.
Conducts comprehensive assessments of VIEW client's employment history, employment goals, and employment barriers and works with the VIEW client to prepare and implement an activity and service plan.
Assesses cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning of VIEW clients and their families and incorporates these in the case planning.
Conducts group and individual assessments for new VIEW referrals.
Refers to appropriate resources to assess the role of drug/alcohol abuse, and family violence on the VIEW client and their families.
Intervenes for the rehabilitation of chemically dependent and assist families at risk implement strategies appropriate for their protection.
Coordinates with day care staff for VIEW and transitional clients.
Supervises job search activities of the registrant, individually and or in groups including job readiness activities.
Provides a variety of supportive services and employment counseling to promote self-sufficiency; Counsels VIEW participants regarding, job search techniques, job readiness activities, job retention counseling, problem solving, budgeting, parenting, debt counseling, family planning, health issues, basic car maintenance in addition to breaking the welfare cycle.
Assigns clients to the job search/job readiness/work experiences or other program components, encouraging and emphasizing additional education and/or training opportunities which are in keeping with their employability plan.
Reassesses clients at prescribed intervals to ensure that they are making satisfactory progress or to monitor their work status.
Maintains case files with appropriate forms, as prescribed in policy, making timely and accurate entries into State Department of Social Services Information System to ensure appropriate statistical data; Maintains contact with community agencies including the Department of Rehabilitative Services, Region Ten, Worksource Enterprises, PVCC and Piedmont Works, JAUNT, CATEC, Welfare-to-work programs, IRC, employers, etc.
May engage in public speaking and other media methods to promote the overall Employment Services Program.
May develop work sites for work experience participants in public or private non-profit agencies, maintains contact and monitor work site placements.
Shares all needed information with the eligibility and service staff to ensure compliance with all programs.
Utilizes computer technology for a variety of purposes and provides data entry.
May receive customer complaints; informs and supports supervisor and/or senior employment services worker in resolution of complaints.
May assist Benefits unit when VIEW caseloads are low.
Performs related work as required.