Contingent Professional - County Administration, Office of Workforce Development

Work includes providing professional employment assessment, counseling and case management services to workforce development program participants, including orienting customers to and enrolling them in the full range of services available, providing information about and linkages to supportive services and working individually to develop customized retraining and reemployment plans that best meet individual needs, interests and abilities; provide a full range of counseling and referral services. Assist in achieving federal, state and local goals and objectives.Includes the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Conduct prescreening to determine eligibility for workforce development programs.
• Provide educational and vocational guidance to unemployed and underemployed individuals ranging from GED to PhD.
• May assist participants in achieving career goals through occupational skills training, job search, placement and employment retention
• Counsel individuals and groups to assist in appropriate direction and focus in career development, life skills and lifelong learning.
• Assist with developing resumes, cover letters, mock interviews, and researching labor market trends to prepare customers for their job search.
• Familiarity with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other federal, state and local workforce development grants.
• Develop and present career and job search workshops and orientation sessions to job seekers.
• Monitor, enter, track and manage customer progress timely and accurately.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local policies and legislation. Represent agency at internal/external meetings and events.
• Initiate and develop ongoing community relationships. Plan and provide community outreach activities.
• Refer clients to appropriate services in the community.
• Operate within multiple programs and grants; learn and follow multiple policies, procedures, and processes.
• May be leading POC for various grants, projects and initiatives. May be required to work occasional nights and weekends.
• Provide services to customers via virtual/platforms.
• Proficiently navigate and manage virtual platforms to provide workforce development services.

Bachelor's Degree and one (1) year related experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well to a diverse population. Possess strong organization, documentation and writing skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team member in a customer driven environment.
• Knowledge of computerized tools; e.g., accessing Internet-based job search information.
• Detail oriented with strong customer service skills
• Experience in conducting assessments utilizing a variety of assessment tools.
• Workforce development experience, including knowledge of DOL regulations, case management, customer service, quality principles.
• Ability to multi-task, develop priorities and reprioritize as required.
• Effective communication skills including written, oral and public speaking for conducting workshops. Creative thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team (both internally and in the community) to ensure maximum level of coordinated services that benefit the customer are achieved.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft applications and other case management software.
• Knowledge of professional ethics including confidentiality policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; talk or hear; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristic described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There is the usual noise and interruption associated with a busy active workforce center.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as federal regulations, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 

Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. 

Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.Class C Maryland Driver's License, or equivalent issued by state of residency.

Salary : $16 - $38