POSITION: Full-Time Youth Employment Counselor: Career Development Counselor; MassHire; Merrimack Valley Career Center (MVCC); Lawrence Campus (420 Common Street); MCCC/MTA Unit Professional Position; 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM (Occasional evening hours. Hours may be adjusted and compensated in alignment with contractual guidelines); Pay Grade 4; Grant Funded Position.

SUMMARY: The youth employment counselor provides services for job seekers between the ages of 18 - 24 to help them identify and embark upon a career pathway that will lead to stable employment in a demand industry that offers potential for advancement, as well as assist them to become job ready. The individual in this position must possess knowledge of the developmental needs of individuals in this age range and strategies to support their success; including appropriate levels of empathy and flexibility balanced with structure and guidance. Position entails outreach and recruitment, assessment and eligibility determination, career counseling, support with training and/or post-secondary education program selection and enrollment, administrative procedures to secure training funding for individuals, case management, job search and placement support, follow-up, and service and activity tracking in the state database (MOSES). The Youth Employment Counselor will provide workshops and information sessions and conduct math and reading assessments. Position will focus on the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program, but may provide services for other specially funded youth initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Specific duties for this position include:

• Work with area school systems and community agencies to identify and recruit eligible youth.
• Develop recruitment strategies and materials.
• Determine youth's suitability and eligibility for program participation. Verify all documents/records to ensure appropriate and thorough documentation and recordkeeping for monitoring and compliance with the DOL regulations and agency policies and procedures. Create and maintain youth case files with all required documentation.
• Conduct comprehensive assessment for each participant. This assessment includes review and analysis of information obtained through records, tests, and interviews to appraise work history, transferable skills, educational background, interests, aptitudes, abilities, personal characteristics, and consideration of labor market information.
• In collaboration with the youth and based on results of comprehensive assessment, develop a career action plan that outlines services, including, but not limited to, education and training, that will lead to achievement of the youth's employment goal. The career plan must be documented in the state database.
• As a component of the career planning process, complete the required youth Individual Service Strategy (ISS) for each participant which documents strengths, challenges, short- and long-term goals, program elements, and youth and counselor agreements.
• Conduct counseling interviews to provide guidance, identify solutions to real or perceived barriers to employment, and suggest approaches to assist participants to achieve goals. Interaction with assigned participants must occur at least every 30 days, but should be more often, to provide required support, to determine progress toward achieving goals, and to enable proactive problem-solving.
• Perform outreach and recruitment activities, including use of social media, that result in enrollments for MassHire Merrimack Valley youth training programs; continually assess and work toward implementing effective recruitment methods that yield positive enrollment outcomes.
• Maintain and grow current relationships and develop, nurture, and sustain new relationships with local school systems, partners, non-profits, and community-based organizations and keep them informed of MassHire programs and services to facilitate referral of their constituents to MassHire programs.
• Coordinate and lead various community outreach initiatives targeted to youth which may include information sessions, industry panels, and activities to promote the exposure of career center youth services.
• Work collaboratively with MassHire managers and staff to ensure that services are aligned with youth needs and are easily accessible.
• Provide individual instruction on job search methods.
• Conduct job readiness workshops and other group services.
• Maintain and document all services and notes in the Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES) database for monitoring review and compliance.
• Maintain liaison with public and private organizations, including WIOA partner organizations and community organizations, to promote programs and services, exchange information and develop the resources necessary to provide high quality services.
• Work closely with career center recruiters and business service representatives to facilitate referral of youth participants to employment opportunities that match career pathway goals.
• Perform related duties such as maintaining records, preparing reports, and attending meetings, as required.
• Participate in staff development and cross training opportunities that expand and support functional skills and promote professional growth.
• The Classification Specification is available at: https://www.mass.edu/shared/classificationspecs/specsmccc/Career Placement Counselor - HB 1108.doc

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field; with three (3) years experience and/or training that includes vocational counseling, vocational testing/assessment, vocational referrals, employment services, or career development/transition; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Strong career counseling, case management experience required.
• Bilingual Spanish/English required.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of individuals and personalities.
• Knowledge of regional employment and workforce trends.
• Transportation and valid driver's license required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Past experience in employment and training, human resources, counseling or marketing.
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population

BACKGROUND CHECK: Candidates will be required to pass a CORI and SORI check as a condition of employment.

GRADE AND SALARY: Anticipated salary range is $52,754 to $57,546 annually with complete fringe benefit package. Complete fringe benefit package including competitive health insurance, free dental insurance, basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid sick, vacation and personal leave, educational benefits for employee/spouse/dependents, and excellent retirement benefits. Actual salary calculated in compliance with MCCC/MTA classification system. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: ASAP