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Employment Counselor - Taylorsville / Salt Lake City

State of Utah
Salt Lake, UT Full Time
POSTED ON 3/6/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/24/2025

Salary : $19.00 Hourly

Location : Salt Lake County, UT

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 43609

Agency : 600 Department of Workforce Services

Unit : 3201 Wasatch Front South - Administration

Opening Date : 12 / 17 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Recruiter : Makenna Powell ~ makennapowell@utah.gov

of Openings : 3

Background Check : You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Career Mobility : This position may be filled as a career mobility.

Location : South County - 5735 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, UT and Metro Office 720 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT

  • Teleworking is not an option for this position.

Schedule Code : B - Competitive Career Service - Employment in this position requires a probationary period.

Schedule Code Description : The probationary period for this position is 12 months. Current State employees who have already passed a probationary period will not be required to complete another one.

Benefits : This position is eligible for a full benefits package. See benefits tab below for details.

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, dial 711 or TTY : 800-346-4128.

Job Description

Working Title : Employment Counselor

Job Title : Workforce Services Specialist I

The Agency

The mission of Workforce Services is we strengthen Utah's communities by connecting the workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need. 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, .

Why You Should Join Our Team Besides working for a fantastic agency that is dedicated to helping the citizens of Utah, you will receive great health and retirement benefits. Click here to view a summary of benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off, so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work-life balance.

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 Iposition.

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 will work from the DWS Employment Center in Salt Lake or Taylorsville.

  • This position may be filled as an Employment Counselor II for an internal applicant, depending on 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 re-engage 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.
  • Minimum Qualifications The model candidate for this position is someone who has :

    Transferable Soft Skills :

  • Empathy and compassion for others, and possesses a desire to assist customers who are in difficult situations.
  • The ability to present information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Exceptional customer service skills and ability to assist people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact and professionalism, without prejudice or bias.
  • Possesses interpersonal skills including active listening, ability to build trusting relationships, show mutual respect and mindfulness of others
  • Capable of working in an environment between balancing program policies and compassion
  • Hard Skills (after receiving formal training) :

  • Provide family focused career counseling and proactively engage and motivate customers.
  • Conduct interviews and assessments utilizing motivational interviewing techniques, in order to collect information and establish a supportive relationship.
  • Possess skills needed in order to problem solve and identify creative solutions that lead to successful outcomes.
  • Implement best practices for mentoring and coaching customers.
  • Understanding in how to interpret and apply programmatic policy and procedures appropriately
  • Maintain and manage sensitive and confidential information in a professional and discrete manner.
  • Defuse and resolve complaints / conflicts with angry customers in crisis
  • Preferences

  • Preference may be given to those fluent in languages other than English.
  • Benefits :

    The State of Utah offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for a detailed information page : To access a Total Compensation Calculator in Excel format click

    FMLA General Notice :

    right click open link in new tab)

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    Please review our Equal Opportunity Law Notice before applying to this job.

  • I acknowledge that I have read the Equal Opportunity Law Notice.
  • The interview selection process is based on your answers to the application questions. Your answers to the questions on this application must be supported by your resume and work history otherwise you may not receive credit. Failure to answer the application questions completely and appropriately may result in disqualification. Please do not copy / paste a passage from your resume to answer the questions. "See resume" or "see work history" are not acceptable answers to any question.

  • I acknowledge that I have read and understand the statement above.
  • This position will require a criminal background check and access to confidential BCI information.

  • I acknowledge that I have read and understand the statement above.
  • I understand this is NOT a telework position and will be located in an employment center in Salt Lake City or Taylorsville. Are you able to work from one of these locations?

    I have read the job description and details of the recruitment. This position will have a non-negotiable starting wage of $19.00 per hour (current State and Department employees may be an exception). Upon successful completion of probation (12 months) my wage may increase 8.5%. All job offers will be contingent upon passing both reference and background checks. I would still like to be considered for an interview.

    I have attached a copy of my current resume to this application.

    Are you a current employee with the Department of Workforce Services (DWS)?

    If you are a current DWS employee please include your EIN # here.

    For the questions below, please be honest and realistic in ranking your knowledge, skills and abilities. Prior work history should clearly substantiate your qualifications with regard to your self assessed responses.

  • I acknowledge that I have read and understand the statement above.
  • In this work environment, you will need to be proficient in how to compromise and negotiate with others to make things happen. Rate your expertise and ability to compromise your immediate priorities and be flexible and tolerant of another person's priorities / needs.

  • None - I don't have experience in negotiation and compromise.
  • Limited - I have limited experience negotiating outcomes or alternatives and often rely and am committed to my own decisions.
  • Average - I have some experience juggling conflicting values and priorities, and am able to evaluate the outcomes, while also considering the opinions of others.
  • Good - I have demonstrated experience considering all possible choices, gathering information and making informed decisions that serve both parties.
  • Excellent - I have a high level of experience in working with others with conflicting goals, and am successful in compromising to achieve a win-win situation that enhances the outcome.
  • Please briefly (2-3 sentences) describe the reason for your rating in compromise and negotiation.

    Coaching and mentoring others is a core duty for this job. How would you rate your ability to motivate and coach others based on your previous experiences?

  • None - I have no experience in coaching others.
  • Limited - I have limited coaching and mentoring experience, but have helped others identify problems.
  • Average - I have some experience providing positive reinforcement to assist others to change or improve behaviors or performance.
  • Good - I have had the opportunity to support others in a coaching and mentoring capacity.
  • Excellent - I have significant experience in guiding, encouraging, supporting and developing others and I am motivated to help others succeed.
  • Please briefly (2-3 sentences) describe the reason for your rating in coaching others.

    At times, in this position, you will need to handle upset, dissatisfied and difficult individuals. How would you measure your effectiveness to handle conflict and problem solve in these difficult situations based on prior experiences?

  • None - I don't have any experience in resolving conflicts and I would have difficulty working in this environment.
  • Limited - I have very little experience working with situations in which there is conflict.
  • Average - I have good customer service skills and will be able to work with upset customers but may need support and guidance in very difficult situations.
  • Good - I am comfortable in most cases and can help someone work through the situation at hand.
  • Excellent - I am able to deal with conflict situations independently, with comfort, sensitivity and can de-escalate an emotional situation.
  • Please briefly (2-3 sentences) describe the reason for your rating in dealing with conflicts.

    Paying attention to detail is important to being successful in any position. Based on your experiences, how would you rate your ability to pay attention to detail, and develop processes that keep you from overlooking mistakes?

  • None - I am willing to learn and develop in this area.
  • Limited - I have limited experience and would need some additional training to enhance this skill.
  • Average - I am accurate and consistent, but have sometimes needed supervisory guidance to learn new skills.
  • Good - I am competent, need minimal guidance, learn from prior errors so as not to duplicate them.
  • Excellent - I have demonstrated competency in accuracy, while being consistent with minimal guidance.
  • Please briefly (2-3 sentences) describe the reason for your rating in attention to detail.

    We are seeking individuals who have demonstrated in their work history, the ability to have active empathetic listening, compassionate and sensitive interviewing, and have a customer centered service approach while assisting others. How would you rate yourself regarding this skill set?

  • None - I don't have experience working with others in challenging situations, but I am willing to learn and develop these skills.
  • Limited - I have little experience in a customer centered service environment.
  • Average - I am comfortable talking to others and do what I can to ensure I meet their expectations, while being considerate of their feelings and needs.
  • Good - I have a history of working with others that are in challenging situations, and have been able to make them feel comfortable and supported as I evaluate how to best serve them.
  • Excellent - I have a proven track record that exemplifies my ability to work with others in a caring, empathetic and compassionate manner.
  • Please briefly (2-3 sentences) describe the reason for your rating in a customer centered approach.

    Are you fluent in any other languages other than English?

    Which languages are you fluent in?

    In accordance with Utah Code 67-19-15(2)(b)(ii), Veterans of the U.S. armed forces may choose to be considered for this position through an Alternative selection process called the Veterans Employment Opportunity Program (VEOP). The VEOP entails an on-the-job examination period in lieu of normal competitive hiring procedures. Information on this process may be found on the Veterans tab of the Utah State Job Seeker website (). You are required to attach a copy of your DD-214 to be considered in this program. If you fail to attach a copy of your DD-214, you will not receive consideration under this program or be eligible to receive Veteran's Preference Points.

  • Only available for Veterans who are not current employees with a Utah State agency. Please make a selection below :
  • I am a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and want to be considered through the Veterans Employment Opportunities Program
  • I am not a veteran OR choose not to be considered through the Veterans Employment Opportunities Program
  • Please indicate how you heard about this specific job posting.

  • State of Utah job site (www.governmentjobs.com / careers / utah)
  • Referred by a Friend or Family
  • Indeed
  • Other External Job Board or Site
  • LinkedIn
  • Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
  • DWS job website (www.jobs.utah.gov)
  • Advertisement (Digital Ad, Billboard, Print, etc)
  • Professional Network (Association, Membership, Work Colleague)
  • University Network (Handshake, School Job Board, Career Center, etc)
  • Contacted by a Recruiter
  • Career or Job Fair
  • Internship
  • Interviewed for different position
  • Internal communications (Agency / Division, etc)
  • Other (not listed above)
  • Required Question

    Salary : $19

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