Employment Counselor

FT / PT Status – Full-Time Salary – $20.05 Hourly Wage Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site Recruiter – Breanna Granger | bgranger@utah.gov | 801-526-4337 Application Deadline – 8/2/2026

Key Responsibilities

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 Taylorsville and Salt Lake City, 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.*

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.
  
  

About The Role

Location –

720 S 200 E

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111

United States

Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

Benefits

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah , click here . Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.
  
  

The Agency The mission of Workforce Services is to strengthen Utah's communities by supporting the economic stability and quality of our workforce. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.

EEO Statement The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.