Employment Counselor

Job Description If you are interested in working with diverse populations, and have a desire to help individuals discover their potential and abilities, while advocating for their self-sufficiency, this is the job for you. The Workforce Development Division (WDD) at the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) is looking for skilled and motivated individuals to fill an Employment Counselor I position located at the DWS Employment Center in Moab, Utah. Employment Counselors will utilize a wide variety of programs and services to assist individuals, families and youth. We work with people one on one or in groups to set career and educational goals and identify and resolve barriers that stand in the way of meeting those goals. Formal training will be provided to assist you in conducting formal assessments and work-ready evaluations according to department standards, and to provide support services and resources from the Department. Additional instruction will be provided in learning of community partner resources and referrals to those resources, in order to help people address barriers that prevent them from succeeding. Training will include how to access and interpret labor market information and employer needs. Monitoring of customer progress and documentation will be done in the Department online case management software program. *This position may be filled as an Employment Counselor II for an internal applicant, depending on qualifications.* Principal Duties This position delivers a broad range of services to assist case managed customers, unemployed and underemployed job seekers, the general public and their families. In meeting with customers, you would help to resolve barriers and increase customers skills, in order for them to obtain and maintain employment and education that leads to self-sufficiency. Barriers may include such things as; homelessness, mental and physical disabilities, domestic violence and substance abuse. Services are focused on individual and family needs and may be provided one-on-one or in group settings. Some positions involve outreach to community partners and/or customer home visits. Employment Counselors will be trained to: Provide career, occupational and educational counseling to empower customers to increase their income and break the cycle of poverty. Assess customers and their families to identify barriers to self-sufficiency, employment, training and income goals; and to provide the necessary resources and support to resolve the barriers. Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to complete assessments and evaluations to gain pertinent information related to goal planning and barrier resolution and to create a supportive environment. Develop employment plans and goals with activities leading to achieving goals and/or work readiness, as well as monitoring and evaluating employment plan activities and progress. Utilize labor market information, local resources, referral to community partners and employers to assist customers in meeting their goals. Assess needs and educate customers about DWS programs, policies, and services and help them access temporary assistance programs (Food Stamps, Financial, Medicaid, Child Care and Unemployment Insurance). Conduct home visits when needed to establish relationships, increase rapport, problem solve, engage or reengage the customer. Assist customers with the ultimate goal of employment by assisting with resume creation, networking, mock interviewing and job searching with technology. Ensure program compliance and appropriate use of public resources. Understand and implement program specific policies, procedures, case management techniques, career counseling, available Division resources, as well as community partner resources. Provide employment retention support and resources.