Career Counselor

The Career Counselor (“Counselor”) is an integral member of the MassHire South Shore Career Center team (“MHSSCC”). MHSSCC is part of a Career Center network established throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MHSSCC provides an integrated array of high-quality services and support to job seekers and businesses located in the 22 cities and towns on the South Shore and has two locations: Quincy and Plymouth. The Counselor must be willing and able to function in a manner consistent with MHSSCC’s mission and goals. The Counselor serves as the primary contact for South Shore jobseekers and provides effective career services to help them obtain employment, including job counseling, labor market analysis and education, assessing and arranging for appropriate training needs, workshop instruction, and coordinating external resources. The Counselor works as part of an integrated team – both within and outside of MHSSCC – to help meet the employment needs of both jobseekers and
South Shore businesses.

JOB-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES (ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS)

1. Serves as primary contact for a portfolio of South Shore jobseekers. Provides effective career counseling to help jobseekers obtain employment, particularly employment with South Shore businesses.
• Counsels and advises jobseekers to help them develop and implement a successful job search strategy. Assists clients in developing detailed career action plans. Provides intensive services to eligible jobseekers and basic services to those ineligible for intensive services.
• Reviews and revises client resumes; assists clients in preparing for interviews; provides effective feedback to clients to help them overcome job search issues.
• Ensures that required documentation from clients is received, including WIOA eligibility documentation.
• Assesses client skills, abilities, aptitudes and interests to facilitate career planning and to match clients with staffing demands of local businesses. Identifies significant barriers to employment and develops plan to overcome those barriers.
• Works with MHSSCC partners, educational institutions and other entities to educate jobseekers on resources available to help them in their job search and to overcome barriers to employment.
• Facilitates the gathering and presentation of labor market data to jobseekers and instructs them on accessing and using such data.
• Works closely with Business Engagement Team to vet and refer jobseekers to available employment opportunities.
• Follows up with jobseekers to assess job search strategies and recommend appropriate revisions and to document exits (clients who obtain employment or otherwise no longer receive MHSSCC services).

2. Designs and delivers effective workshops for jobseekers. Matches jobseekers with appropriate external training programs.
• Assesses training needs and coordinates the provision of training programs offered by MassHire South Shore Career Center & Workforce Board Staff Job Description external vendors, as appropriate and as is consistent with MHSSCC guidelines. Guides clients through enrollment procedures.
• Designs and delivers workshops, both virtual and in-person, related to successful job searches, employability and economic self-sufficiency.

3. Maintains compliance with all applicable workforce development regulations, policies and procedures.
• Documents all services provided into the appropriate database systems such as MOSES.
• Must know, or have the ability to learn, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, policies and processes. This includes, but is not limited to, regulations, policies and procedures promulgated by the U.S. Department of Labor such as WIOA; RESEA; and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by DCS and the State Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
• Knowledge of programs such as WIOA; DTA (Department of Transitional Assistance); MRC (Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission; MCB (Massachusetts Commission for the Blind); RESEA (Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program); WOTC (work opportunity tax credit); OJT (on-the-job training) and apprenticeships; Rapid Response; BizWorks, Commonwealth Corporation; and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (“MOBD”).
• Complies with SOPs established by the Career Center Director.

4. Additional responsibilities
• Provides basic information to jobseekers about unemployment compensation eligibility and enrollment.
• Handles special projects and other responsibilities as needed and as assigned by Career Center Director, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and other awarded grants.
• Markets services, resources and programs offered by MHSSCC; the Massachusetts Department of Career Services (“DCS”); and other workforce development entities, including job fairs and recruitment events.
• Performs other duties and handles special projects, as assigned by Career Center Director.

QUALIFICATIONS
Include minimum education level, experience and skills needed. Include desired attributes such as interpersonal, communication, presentation and management skills.

Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred. Advanced degree (MPA, MBA, or related degree) desirable. Three (3) years’ experience providing career or related services, such as recruitment and staffing; interviewing; vocational and educational counseling.

Knowledge of principles, practices, methods and techniques relating to the operation and administration of workforce development programs with specific knowledge and understanding of Federal and State funded programs and initiatives and their respective regulations and guidelines.

Must have excellent interpersonal skills, particularly in teambuilding, conflict management, and collaboration; able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and customers from diverse backgrounds. Must have strong verbal written communication skills, including platform
skills in both virtual and in-person settings. Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, web-based technologies, and social media. Must be administratively self-sufficient and able to learn quickly new technology.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Work schedule if less than full-time, 12 months. Indicate if travel or weekend work required. Indicate if term appointment. List physical requirements such as lifting. List special licenses/ certifications required. Full-time, with occasional evening and weekend work required. Some remote work is possible. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds. Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at time of hire.

Please submit resume, cover letter and 3 professional references to Sarah Hoecker
shoecker@southshorecc.com