Contingent Professional - County Administration, Office of Workforce Development

Salary : $16.00 - $38.00 Hourly

Location : Columbia, MD

Job Type : Contingent

Job Number : 25-00550

Department : County Administration

Division : County Admin - Workforce Employment

Opening Date : 02 / 14 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 28 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY / CLASS DESCRIPTION

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

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

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES :

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.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Class C Maryland Driver's License, or equivalent issued by state of residency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :

TO APPLY : You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http : / / www.naces.org) or World Education Services : International Credential Evaluation (https : / / www.wes.org / ).

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at . Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.

The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at

FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN : Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.

GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE : Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.

PAID LEAVE BENEFITS : Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and / or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.

ANNUAL LEAVE : During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.

DISABILITY LEAVE : Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness / injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.

PERSONAL LEAVE : Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.

HOLIDAYS : Employees are paid for the following holidays : New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.

OTHER PAID LEAVE : Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.

RETIREMENT : Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.Howard County Retirement Plan : Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7 / 1 / 2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan : Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan.

SOCIAL SECURITY : Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate.

457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN : Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM : Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services.

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE : Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $2500 contingent upon County funding.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE : Employees who have worked for the county for at least twelve (12) months are eligible for twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the qualifying birth of a child, or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care. Leave must be used within the 12 months following the birth or placement.

LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS : Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit.

DISABILITY LEAVE BANK : Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources.

VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS : Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, and universal life insurance.

CREDIT UNION : Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.

Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The submitted electronic document must outline accurate dates to include (month and year) in association with each work history entry. Vague descriptions of experience will not be considered. Please include all pertinent experience in your application to include, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other such work history that is applicable to the position for which you wish to be considered. Descriptions of duties that state "see resume" will negatively impact your candidacy as resumes cannot be substituted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants will not be contacted for clarification or additional information.I have read and understand the language outlined above.

Do you possess a Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of experience providing professional employment assessments, counseling and case management services to program participants or an equivalent combination of education and experience?

If you possess four (4) years of experience providing professional employment assessments, counseling and case management services to program participants or an equivalent combination of education and experience, please explain where you acquired this experience and education include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response.

Do you have customer service and public contact experience?

If you possess customer service and public contact experience, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response.

Do you possess knowledge of professional ethics to include confidentiality policy?

If you possess knowledge of professional ethics to include confidentiality policy, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response.

Do you possess workforce development experience to include DOL regulations and case management?

If you possess workforce development experience to include DOL regulations and case management, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response.

Do you possess experience assisting with developing resumes, cover letters, mock interviews, and researching labor market trends to prepare customers for their job search?

If you possess experience assisting with developing resumes, cover letters, mock interviews, and researching labor market trends to prepare customers for their job search, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response.

Which of the following best describes your level of proficiency with Microsoft Office?

Are you aware that this position may require some evening and weekend work?

Please state your proficiency in virtual platforms and use of technology for human services delivery.

How did you hear about this position?

If you indicated "Job Fair" or "Other" in the previous question, please indicate which job fair you attended and specifically how you became aware of this position. Otherwise, indicate "N / A" (Not Applicable).

I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and / or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit www.governmentjobs.com, click on the "career seekers" link, and follow the prompts.

I certify that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false, erroneous, and / or misleading information may result in elimination from the hiring process and termination of employment if hired.

Required Question

Salary : $16 - $38