Career Counselor 1 at Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washingt – Yakima, Washington

OIC of Washington I Job Description

Position: Career Counselor 1

Division: Education and Career Services

Department: Career Counseling

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities which are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. OIC of Washington is an “at will” employer and employment can be terminated at any time for any reason.

Supervised by: Program Manager

Positions supervised: 0

FLSA classification: Non-Exempt

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a related field such as training and development, personnel administration, education, psychology, counseling, human resources, or any social science field. Or Associate degree (any discipline) and two years’ experience providing case management, counseling, or other direct services to at-risk individuals or sixteen to twenty-one-year-old youth may be substituted for Bachelor's degree. Or four years of related experience may be substituted for Bachelor's degree.

Job Location:Yakima

Salary Range: $20.57 to $26.84 DOE

Position Overview:

The Career Counselor will assist the Manager in achieving programmatic success statewide and target services to migrant seasonal farmworker individuals and/or families. Under the supervision of the Program Manager, this position will work to improve the economic and educational status of eligible students. This position will provide assessments, counseling, education, employment preparation, job development, and related services to individuals in a positive and compassionate manner. This position will work with the support services department to provide services to reduce barriers. It is expected that this position will establish strong professional relationships with OIC students, businesses and community partners, and employers to meet program goals and objectives. This position will assist the manager with day-to-day supervision, timekeeping, and updating the program manager on any performance issues. Provides training to staff on the areas of their expertise.

Essential Duties:

• Keep the Program Manager apprised of the progress in meeting monthly and annual goals for the program.
• Will provide training to staff on the areas of expertise.
• Complete the career counseling cohort objectives assigned by the Associate Director and report in a timely manner to the Program Manager.
• Ensure assessment, counseling, education, employment preparation, job development services are provided to eligible individuals.
• Manage and guide a cohort of students in a positive and compassionate manner.
• Complete intake interviews for potential participants in person and virtually determine eligibility for program services.
• Enroll individuals who meet eligibility requirements and can provide required documentation into appropriate program services, completing intake forms and getting required documentation.
• Refer ineligible people to other appropriate service providers, maintaining documentation of the referral.
• Assess skills, aptitudes, interests, short- and long-term education, training, and career goals, conduct testing, and develop an agreed upon Individual Employment Plan (IEP) and Individual Success Plan (ISP) for enrolled students.
• Assess barriers and support the service needs of all members of the family unit and make referrals to appropriate providers.
• Provide emergency services and support services to students.
• Provide follow up on effectiveness and appropriateness of services provided through referral of students’ family members who are not enrolled in OIC programs.
• Monitor, review, and document the progress of each participant in meeting the objectives of the IEP and ISP. Periodically meet on site with the program participant and training providers to determine training progress, ensure contract compliance, and resolve any problems.
• Provide students with individual and/or group career and job search counseling, including interviewing techniques, resume preparation, labor market information, job retention skills, and job development/referral services.
• Learn and apply knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and provisions in providing employment and training services to eligible students.
• Contact employers throughout the assigned region to negotiate and secure on-the-job training; work experience; try-out employment, and other core training agreements, and to develop job placement opportunities.
• Negotiate and secure classroom training partnerships with training institutions, including community colleges, technical colleges, school districts, and other basic and vocational skills training providers throughout the assigned region.
• Complete relevant training evaluations during and upon completion of the training objective or placement into unsubsidized employment.
• Perform appropriate follow-up to verify job retention.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive case files for each participant, to include the IEP & ISP, training evaluations, counseling notes, on-site monitoring reports, and all other forms and reports pertaining to the participant.
• Maintain accurate and complete participant files. Work in close cooperation with other Career Counselors and Program Management to provide participant case management support as needed.
• Establish a professional relationship with clients, businesses, and employers to meet program goals and objectives.
• Establish a network of contacts with potential partner agencies and organizations in local communities to meet the needs of the program and clients, ensure services are not duplicated, and develop a list of referral resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication, including editing complex multi-party documents.
• Proven ability to interact with diverse populations and remain calm under pressure.
• Experience in presenting to the public and handling high-volume calls and walk-ins.
• Strong judgment and professionalism in confidential environments.
• Effective working independently and collaboratively.
• Skilled in managing multiple projects and delegating tasks based on team strengths.
• Experienced in interviewing and evaluating candidates for departmental roles.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Zoom, and other office software.
• Familiar with office equipment such as: computers, copiers, fax machines, and postage machines.
• Able to analyze financial and statistical reports and implement corrective actions.
• Detail-oriented with strong record-keeping and organizational abilities.
• Knowledgeable in career services programs and labor market trends.
• Capable of capturing and reporting data required by funding sources.

Work Environment:

This role requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, talking, and hearing. Occasional driving in varied weather and road conditions, as well as lifting up to 10 pounds, reaching, pushing/pulling, and stopping, may be required. Reasonable accommodation will be made for individuals with disabilities.

Conditions of Employment:

Successfully pass a Criminal History & Background Check. Successfully pass a pre-employment drug test. Valid WA State Driver’s License and proof of insurance, if requested.