Employment Services Worker

City of Portsmouth • Portsmouth, VA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for coordinating comprehensive employment programs for clients of the Employment Service program. Reports to the Employment Services Supervisor.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of local, state and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining to government sponsored employment programs.
• Knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with Employment Services programs; recruiting and placement procedures used by public and private employers.
• General knowledge of a wide variety of occupational fields and program eligibility requirements.
• Able to use common office machines and audio-visual playback equipment.
• Able to read and compare words and figures carefully and accurately.
• Able to maintain accurate participant records and prepare reports from such records.
• Able to exercise independent judgment in organizing and establishing format.
• Able to analyze and evaluate programs and to prepare reports on the programs' functioning.
• Able to establish and maintain effective communication with employers in the community.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Able to make oral presentations before large groups of people.
• Able to explain rules, regulations and policies of the Employment Services programs in terms understood by clients and the general public.
• Able to exercise considerable tact, courtesy, discretion, firmness and fairness in contact with program clients, and the general public.
• Able to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files.
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which include a computer, telephone, calculator, copier, facsimile machine, etc.
• Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Sedentary Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time.
• Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from superiors.
• Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, forms, correspondence, classified newspaper advertising, etc.
• Requires the ability to prepare reports and correspondence, forms, records, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Requires the ability to plan work and develop procedures.
• Requires the ability to learn and/or evaluate complex information in order to make judgments and decisions.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including counseling terminology.
• Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas.
• Requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
• Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs; compute discount or interest.
• Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment.
• Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.
• Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Nice To Haves

• A Virginia Certified Workforce Development Professional Certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists with job search development, activities, leads, placement, retention and career counseling; monitors work site placements, public services and community work experience activities and career counseling workgroups.
• Makes community and agency resources referrals to assist with supportive and emergency services, including childcare, transportation, tools, uniforms, shelter and school expenses.
• Provides counseling throughout participant employment and keeps written documentation of each counseling session.
• Maintains case records and submits reports, records, forms, etc., as required by local, state and federal governing agencies.
• Files computer and financial documents which reflect changes from any service units providing services to participating ESP clients; enters data and updates client information into the Employment Services Program Automated System (ESPAS).
• Develops plan of participation to record goals and objectives toward employment for program participant; may re-design plans as program participants' status or needs change, or as otherwise necessary; monitors participants' job search effort and placement; assigns participants to various education and training facets of program.
• Conducts initial assessment interviews to determine employability and to identify employment barriers; develops employability plans to include identifying and prioritizing needs and developing target dates for the completion of objectives.
• Serves on various committees, task forces and training sessions, unit meetings and conferences in support of the goals and objectives of the Employment Services Bureau; makes presentations to groups and is involved in other public relations activities to promote the overall employment services program; and attends in-service and other training sessions and conferences and may represent the agency on committees or task force groups.
• Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

What This Job Offers

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