EMPLOYMENT SERVICES WORKER

JOB DESCRIPTION

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES WORKER
HUMAN SERVICES

Human Resources Department
700 Town Center Drive, Suite 200

Newport News, VA 23606
NEWPORT NEWS, VA Phone: (757) 926-1800

CITY OF OPPORTUNITY Fax: (757) 926-1825

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for providing professional employment
counseling services, needs assessments, vocational evaluations, employment preparation, and
training for Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW) and Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAPET) customers. Reports to the Employment
Services Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists with job search development, activities, leads, placement, retention and career counseling;
monitors work site placements, public services and community work experience activities and career
counseling workgroups. Makes community and agency resources referrals to assist with supportive
and emergency services, including childcare, transportation, tools, uniforms, shelter and school
expenses.

Conducts initial assessment interviews to determine employability and to identify employment
barriers; develops employability plans to include identifying and prioritizing needs and developing
target dates for the completion of objectives.

Administers and interprets assessment results to include career interests, aptitudes, abilities and
employability; provides in-depth employment and supportive counseling as needed; updates
employability plans; performs re-assessments at prescribed intervals to ensure satisfactory progress;
initiates sanctioning actions and notifies eligibility workers as necessary. Prepares appeal summaries
and attends benefits appeals hearings.

Issues vouchers and ensures payment of credit authorizations; maintains current case records and
related information electronically and manually and prepares reports as needed.

Serves on various committees, task forces and training sessions, unit meetings and conferences in
support of the goals and objectives of the Employment Services Bureau; makes presentations to
groups and is involved in other public relations activities to promote the overall employment services
program. Attends in-service and other training sessions and conferences and may represent the
agency on committees or task force groups.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Page 1 of 3 Revised: 02/01/2018

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community
and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also
expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE


Human Services - Thorough knowledge of human services programs and policies including
federal, state, and local regulations. Knowledge of programs, social economic trends and behaviors
that impact the delivery of human services. 

Case Management - Knowledge of case management techniques, principles and practices to
evaluate and coordinate the delivery of public assistance to customers and their families.
Interviews and gathers information to assess employability and the identification of barriers. 

Customer Service — Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer
service. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of
customer satisfaction.

REQUIRED SKILLS


Judgment/Decision Making — Evaluating the best method of research and then exercising
appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Considering the
relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. 

Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, and related
payroll software to effectively complete a variety of administrative tasks with reasonable speed
and accuracy. 

Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships
with employees and all levels of management to include representatives from other departments
and organizations.

REQUIRED ABILITIES


Time Management – Ability to plan and organize daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the
completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology to meet strict
deadlines. 

Communication – Excellent ability to communicate ideas and proposals verbally and in writing
effectively so others will understand. Excellent ability to listen and understand information and
ideas presented verbally or in writing.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance, Human Services, Social Work or a related
field and 2-4 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
A Virginia Certified Workforce Development Professional Certification is preferred.

Page 2 of 3 Revised: 02/01/2018

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check and sex
offender registry check.

A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.

In the event of a declared emergency in the City of Newport News, individuals in this position are
required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the
safety and care of the citizens of the community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Requires the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work. 

Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10
pounds). 

Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or work station.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS 

Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. 

Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Page 3 of 3 Revised: 02/01/2018