Description

Career Counselor will assist the Manager 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 individuals in a positive and compassionate manner. This position will work with the support services department to provide services to reduce barriers. It is expected that this position will establish strong professional relationships with OIC students, businesses and community partners and employers to meet program goals and objectives. This position will assist the manager with day-to-day supervision, timekeeping and updating the program manager on any performance issues. Provides training to staff on the areas of their expertise. 

Essential Duties:  

• Keep the Program Manager apprised of the progress in meeting monthly and annual goals for the program.
• Oversee day-to-day office operations and approve student support when manager is not available.
• Will provide training to staff on the areas of expertise.
• 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, job development services are provided to eligible individuals.
• Manage and guide career counseling cohort in a positive and compassionate manner.
• Complete intake interview for potential participants in person and virtually to determine eligibility for program services. 
• Enroll individuals who meet eligibility requirements and can provide required documentation into appropriate program services, completing intake forms and getting required documentation.
• Refer ineligible persons 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) and Individual Success Plan (ISP) for enrolled students.
• Assess barriers and support service needs of all members of the family unit and make referrals to appropriate providers.
• Provide emergency 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 and ISP. Periodically meet on site with the program participant 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 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 & ISP, 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 participant case 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 and to ensure services are not duplicated and to develop a list of referral resources.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA degree in Social Services or related field