Career Counselor 2

Description

OIC of Washington I Job Description

Position: Career Counselor 2

Division: Education and Career Services 

Department: Career Counseling

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities which are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. OIC of Washington is an “at will” employer and employment can be terminated at any time for any reason.

Supervised by: Program Manager 

Positions supervised: 0

FLSA classification: Non-Exempt

Minimum Qualifications: BA degree in Social Services or related field. Or four (4) years of experience in supervisory or leadership role. Or four (4) years of experience in budget development and management. Or additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of education

Job Location: Yakima 

Salary Range: $23.85 - $31.11 DOE

Position Overview:

The Career Counselor will assist the Program Director in achieving programmatic success statewide. Under the supervision of the Program Manager, this position will work to improve the economic and educational status of eligible students. This position will provide assessments, counseling, education, employment preparation, job development, and related services to adults in a positive and compassionate manner. This position will work with the career counseling services department to provide services to reduce barriers. It is expected that this position will establish strong professional relationships with OIC students, businesses, community partners, and employers to meet program goals and objectives.

Essential Duties:

• Keep the Program Manager apprised of the progress in meeting monthly and annual goals for the program.
• Complete the career counseling cohort objectives assigned by the Associate Director and report in a timely manner to the Program Manager.
• Ensure assessment, counseling, education, employment preparation, and job development services are provided to eligible adults.
• Manage and guide career counseling cohort in a positive and compassionate manner.
• Complete intake interviews for potential participants in person and via telephone to determine eligibility for program services.
• Enroll students and adults who meet eligibility requirements and can provide required documentation into appropriate program services, completing intake forms and getting required documentation.
• Refer ineligible people to other appropriate service providers, maintaining documentation of the referral.
• Assess skills, aptitudes, interests, short- and long-term education, training, and career goals, conduct testing, and develop an agreed upon Individual Employment Plan (IEP) for enrolled students and adults.
• Assess barriers and support service needs of all members of the family unit and make referrals to appropriate providers.
• Provide emergency services and support services to students.
• Provide follow up on effectiveness and appropriateness of services provided through referral of students’ family members who are not enrolled in OIC programs.
• Monitor, review, and document the progress of each participant in meeting the objectives of the IEP. Periodically meet on-site with the program participants and training providers to determine training progress, ensure contract compliance, and resolve any problems.
• Provide students with individual and/or group career and job search counseling, including interviewing techniques, resume preparation, labor market information, job retention skills, and job development/referral services.
• Learn and apply knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and provisions in providing employment and training services to eligible adult students. 
• Contact employers throughout the assigned region to negotiate and secure on-the-job training; work experience; try-out employment, and other core training agreements, and to develop job placement opportunities.
• Negotiate and secure classroom training partnerships with training institutions, including community colleges, technical colleges, school districts, and other basic and vocational skills training providers throughout the assigned region.
• Complete relevant training evaluations during and upon completion of the training objective or placement into unsubsidized employment.
• Perform appropriate follow-up to verify job retention.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive case files for each participant, to include the IEP, training evaluations, counseling notes, on-site monitoring reports, and all other forms and reports pertaining to the participant.
• Maintain accurate and complete participant’s files. Work in close cooperation with other Career Counselors and Program Management to provide case/participant management support as needed.
• Establish a professional relationship with clients, businesses, and employers to meet program goals and objectives.
• Establish a network of contacts with potential partner agencies and organizations in local communities to meet the needs of the program and clients, ensure services are not duplicated, and develop a list of referral resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including demonstrated competency in preparation of editing complex multi-party documents.
• Demonstrated experience in a professional office setting, including working in a busy office setting which deals heavily with a high volume of calls, public contact, and public presenting.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and in teams.
• Strong working knowledge of various software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook required. This includes other software such as zoom and Microsoft Teams
• Knowledge of various office machines such as computers, copier, fax machines and postage machines.
• Knowledge of career services programs and labor market trends. 
• Detail-oriented in maintaining records, strong organizational skills, and the ability to capture data required by funding sources.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects at the same time and the ability to delegate duties to staff based on an assessment of their skill set.
• Demonstrated experience in interviewing candidates for positions and determining if a candidate viable for a position within the department.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize sound judgment, work effectively and calmly under pressure and maintain confidentiality. 
• Demonstrated experience working in a confidential environment that deals with multicultural clientele, experience in relating to a wide variety of people, and the ability to remain calm when dealing with upset people.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to demonstrate a genuine concern and respect for all cultures and diverse populations served by OIC.

Work Environment:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

Frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. Frequently required to talk and hear. Occasionally drive a motor vehicle in different seasonal weather and road conditions and times of day. Will occasionally lift up to 10 pounds. Occasionally required to reach, push/pull, and stop.

Additional Conditions of Employment:

Successfully pass a Criminal History & Background Check. Successfully pass a pre-employment drug test. Valid WA State Driver’s License and proof of insurance if requested.