Vocational Counselor, Long Branch Thrives (ENOUGH Initiative)

Interfaith Works • Silver Spring, MD

23d • $52,000 - $62,500 • Onsite

About The Position

Interfaith Works is hiring a bilingual Lead Vocational Counselor to support the Long Branch Thrives initiative through Maryland's ENOUGH Full Implementation Grant. Based primarily at the Long Branch Community Hub in Silver Spring, Maryland, the counselor will expand workforce development services for Long Branch residents. The position provides direct employment and career coaching, supports community outreach and engagement, builds relationships with local employers and community partners, and serves as a workforce development subject matter expert within the Long Branch Thrives collaborative. The role calls for community-based service delivery and strong understanding of the Long Branch community, its residents, resources, challenges, and opportunities. Preference is given to candidates with demonstrated connections to Long Branch.

The Vocational Services Program helps people transitioning out of homelessness and other low-income Montgomery County residents achieve economic self-sufficiency through meaningful employment, while helping employers find qualified, dependable employees seeking long-term careers. Its approach centers on client success, accountability, and individualized support through job search and career development. This grant-funded position is guaranteed for one year through September 30, 2027; continuation beyond that term depends on grant renewal and funding availability. The role is based at the Long Branch Community Hub, with occasional travel throughout Montgomery County.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Fluency in Spanish and English or Amharic and English, with the ability to provide services in the participant's preferred language.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom and Teams.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and time-management skills.
• Experience developing resumes, cover letters, and other employment-related materials.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities.
• Professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
• Ability to meet the physical demands described, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds; reasonable accommodation may be available.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in workforce development, employment services, career coaching, case management, or related human services work.
• Experience working with immigrant, multilingual, and diverse communities.
• Experience using Dynamics 365 or similar case management databases.
• Strong knowledge of the Long Branch community, including its residents, cultures, community organizations, resources, and workforce development opportunities.
• Familiarity with the Montgomery County and DMV labor markets, local industries, workforce trends, and employment resources.
• Lived, worked, volunteered, or otherwise demonstrated strong connections to the Long Branch community.
• Familiarity with Long Branch residents, community organizations, culturally responsive engagement strategies, workforce barriers, and local employment opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a participant caseload and guide clients through a structured, targeted job search, providing individualized vocational counseling, coaching, and skill-building.
• Support grant outcomes through participant engagement, job placement activity, employment retention, and other workforce development outcomes.
• Meet regularly with participants to monitor progress, reinforce accountability, adjust employment goals, and provide employment retention support.
• Conduct vocational assessments and create individualized employment plans addressing participants' strengths, goals, and barriers.
• Build and maintain employer relationships through outreach, networking, and community engagement to identify job opportunities and create hiring pathways.
• Deliver job-readiness training and coaching on resumes, interview preparation, workplace expectations, job search strategies, and navigating the employment process.
• Develop expertise in workforce barriers and employment challenges faced by program communities, and help participants navigate employment systems, access opportunities, and advance along career pathways.
• Represent workforce development for the Long Branch Thrives initiative and participate in community meetings, partnerships, outreach, and collaborative activities.
• Coordinate with case managers, community partners, employers, and service providers to support participants and achieve successful outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, case records, outcome tracking, grant data, and reports using Dynamics 365 and other required systems.
• Identify ways to strengthen workforce programming, improve participant outcomes, and implement grant-funded initiatives.
• Represent Interfaith Works in the Long Branch community and build relationships with participants, employers, and community partners while advancing workforce development opportunities and program goals.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 14 paid holidays and 21 days of paid time off.
• Full-time employees working 30 hours per week or more have access to subsidized medical, dental, and vision costs for themselves and their families.
• Employer-paid long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and AD&D insurance for full-time employees working 30 hours per week or more.
• Optional portable supplemental benefits, including short-term disability and critical illness insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program at no cost to employees regardless of full-time or part-time status.

What This Job Offers

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